Senior Healthcare Scientist

at  Synnovis

We are looking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated Senior Healthcare Scientist to work within our team in Reference Biochemistry at King’s College Hospital (KCH). The Reference Biochemistry Laboratories at King’s College Hospital (part of Synnovis Analytics) provides specialist service delivery using latest technology in a variety of laboratories (Metabolic, Immunochemistry, Porphyrins, Gastrointestinal, Steroids, and Diabetes). The primary responsibility of the post holder will be to provide support our laboratories with Healthcare Scientist duties, in order to deliver of a broad range of complex, specialised diagnostic procedures for both routine clinical and research applications, including clinical authorisation.
The post holder will have a large degree of individual responsibility and must be HCPC-registered as a Healthcare Scientist, or be expecting to obtain registration within the next 6 months. For those without HCPC registration, initial recruitment will be at band 6, with automatic progression to band 7 once HCPC registration is obtained. Previous experience is not necessary, as full training will be provided; most important is enthusiasm and a willingness to learn!
You will be responsible for managing and delivering the specialist assays within some of the Reference Biochemistry laboratories. Assays are based predominantly on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and immunoassay techniques. You may also be involved in the development and validation of new assays and the transfer of existing assays. You may be expected to participate in original research/coordinate collaborative research.
The Reference Biochemistry department consists Immunochemistry, Porphyrin, Gastrointestinal Investigations, Metabolic and Urine Steroid Profiling sections. Where required, the post holder will be expected to contribute to the scientific leadership in these sections and participate in the departmental Duty Biochemist rota Duty Biochemist rota, providing expertise and input for queries relating to the Biochemistry Laboratories at King’s College Hospital sites.
This is an exciting time to join us, as Synnovis work towards transforming existing hospital-based laboratory and diagnostic services into an integrated ‘hub and spoke’ network. The Reference Biochemistry laboratories will be amongst the services that transfers to a state-of-the-art ‘hub’ laboratory under development at Friars Bridge Court in Blackfriars. This move will provide access to improved services and equipment for routine and specialist testing.
You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications. This includes full support towards completing FRCPath examinations.
Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. King’s has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.
Duties and Responsibilities
To safely handle blood, urine, faeces, other body tissue, hazardous chemicals.
To ensure that appropriate preventative maintenance has been carried out on laboratory instruments and equipment prior to them being used for patient investigations.
To ensure first line troubleshooting of complex analytical equipment or methods is carried out, to arrange for engineer service visits and to supervise and if necessary to participate in the resolution of equipment or method failures, including dismantling instruments to carry out initial repairs.
To ensure that reagents are prepared, stored and used according to manufacturer and laboratory procedures.
To perform highly specialised manual techniques, semi-automated and fully-automated laboratory investigations.
To measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
To undertake technical validation of the results from laboratory investigations to ensure accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory quality procedures and protocols.
To take corrective action when quality control or assurance procedures indicate loss of performance of the laboratory instruments or methods.
To take appropriate action when there is a situation which may or has caused a service delivery failure e.g. to liaise with clinical staff to ensure that priority work is identified and/or make alternative arrangements for an analysis to be done.
To help initiate, establish and maintain a system that ensures maximal availability and flexibility in operation of departmental chromatograph, mass spectrometers, and associated equipment.
Scientific
To undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation, write SOP’s, as directed by the management team
To participate in the introduction of new equipment or methods to the department.
To keep up to date with current scientific and technical developments including through participation in scientific meetings if appropriate.
To participate in teaching of all staff within the Department of Clinical Biochemistry.
To assist in the development of specialist biochemistry assays in its broadest sense within the department and to facilitate the development and clinical use of analytical methods based on separation science techniques in collaboration with junior and senior colleagues.
As required, to develop and/or assess new applications or new techniques in the field of specialist assays as applied to clinical biochemistry in collaboration/consultation with senior staff.
To maintain awareness of current developments in separation science and to ensure such knowledge is communicated to appropriate personnel.
To disseminate knowledge and research findings through presentations at local, national and international meetings and by publication in scientific journals.
To undertake specific research and development projects, agreed by the Research & Development or Training Committee of the Department as appropriate, within the bounds of the required service provision and available resources. The laboratory research will be under the direction of a Consultant Healthcare Scientist and supervised by a Service Delivery Manager or a Principal/Consultant Scientist/Consultant Chemical Pathologist.
Clinical
To interpret laboratory results and take appropriate actions in line with laboratory policies and procedures. E.g. authorisation of results, ordering relevant follow-up laboratory procedures, adding technical and clinically relevant comments in area(s) of responsibility, referring results for clinical interpretation or opinion, informing the requestor of clinically significant results.
Provide approved departmental information and advice to other healthcare professionals, patients and the public and to refer on to appropriate specialists requests for information out with their area of responsibility.
To authorise, biochemical tests; requesting or suggesting further investigations or referral as appropriate.
Quality Assurance
The post holder will work with the Quality Manager to ensure the section remains accredited by UKAS to iso15189 at all times
Maintain the Quality assurance procedures of the section. Measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations in section using appropriate quality control procedures
Investigate adverse incidents and laboratory errors as necessary, communicate findings to the Service Delivery Manager and Quality Manager, and implement any changes agreed in order to reduce the likelihood of repetition
In conjunction with the Quality Manager and Training Officer, educate staff in section of the function and practice of the quality management system
The post holder will conduct and present audits to the departmental Quality committee as required by the audit schedule
The post holder is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of internal quality assurance schemes in their section. They will present IQA findings to the EQA committee as required
The post holder will be responsible for Health and Safety issues in their section and report to the designated H&S officer as required
The post holder will ensure that all staff in section read and sign Quality Management Documentation and check compliance through the appraisal system
The post holder will be responsible for relevant document management (through the use of QPulse) and ensure no uncontrolled documentation is in use within the section
To monitor turnaround times of laboratory investigations and act on information to improve the service provided.
Risk Management/Health & Safety
To be aware of the relevant health and safety and security regulations, guidelines and policies.
Work within the Departmental Health and Safety Code of practice. Awareness of hazards inherent in the laboratory and use of adequate precautions at all times.
To report adverse incidents as set out in the Trust’s adverse Incident Policy.
To ensure that the work within the section is performed in accordance with current health and safety regulations and guidance and to take corrective action where necessary.
To liaise with the departmental Safety Officer in the assessment, documentation and review of the risks associated with the work performed in the section.
Continuing Professional Development
Develop knowledge of the significance of medical laboratory work in order to offer the best possible service to the user.
Understands own role and is aware of the management structure of the department.
Contributes to service initiatives within the laboratory setting.
Laboratory Informatics
To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
To use the Laboratory Information System according to the authorised protocols.
To maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.
To maintain and enhance competence in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software.
Staff Training
Together with the Training Officer, to support and participate in staff training and development.
To participate with supervision of the work and performance monitoring of trainees and students in the procedures for which the post holder is responsible.
Administrative
To supervise the ongoing operation of a section of Clinical Biochemistry.
To ensure compliance with good work practices in accordance with the standards of UKAS and ISO15189.
To monitor and control the efficient use of financial, material and staff resources in the section and to take corrective action in consultation with the section manager.
To prepare and review laboratory policies and procedures following national and local quality system guidelines.
To ensure that all results are reported within the agreed turnaround time, and to take appropriate action, for example communicating with colleagues and managers, arranging alternative provision in the event of a situation arising preventing timely reporting of results.
To ensure that training schedules are kept up to date and that documentation is validated signed on a regular basis as competencies are achieved.
Together with the Training Officer to supervise the work and monitor performance of trainee Healthcare Scientists, Biomedical Scientists and Specialist Registrars in the procedures for which the post holder is responsible.
To be responsible for the organisation and delivery of effective stock control of reagents and consumables in the section and to arrange alternative means of obtaining reagents from other sources if necessary.
Our Bank workers enjoy competitive market rates and flexible contract assignments across all of our sites, dependent on your availability and location.
For our Permanent workforce w e offer a competitive benefits package. As well as offering competitive salaries, all employees are also entitled to:
Contributory pension scheme
Generous annual leave entitlement
Performance related pay
Annual incentive plan for all
employees
Ground breaking development
opportunitie

Please refer the Job description for details