Biomedical Scientist – Specialist

Addenbrooke’s Hospital (Lab), Cambridge.

Job Summary We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

The Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge current provides services to Addenbrooke’s, Royal Papworth, and the E&​N Herts Hospitals, the surrounding district, and other NHS Laboratories. It has active research and epidemiological interests. The laboratory undergoes assessment against UKAS ISO 15189 standards and has strong teaching interests. Set on the outskirts of the university city of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital is one of the top hospitals in the UK and a thriving NHS Foundation Trust. Addenbrooke’s is closely associated with leading educational providers including the University of Cambridge and is a major centre for biomedical research and education.

The department undertakes a wide range of routine and specialist microbiological and molecular investigations. It makes extensive use of automation including Qiagen platforms, Biofire, BacTec, Sedimax, MGIT, Vitek, Centaur XP, Panther, Liaison and Vidas analysers and Kiestra.

Job Description

• Work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high level of microbiological analysis in order to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment.
• Use the appropriate testing, in a timely manner, to assist the Consultant Microbiologists, and thus ensure the correct clinical diagnosis.
• Perform a range of specialist technical and scientific activities, including testing samples referred from other NHS and UKHSA laboratories.
• Follow appropriate training and orientation, and in rotation with other BMS staff, to work as the sole BMS in extended hours and weekends, undertaking urgent or other high priority work.
• Be responsible for the efficient day-to-day running of an area in a section of the laboratory, to be able to rotate through all the different sections in the laboratory and to supervise and train inexperienced BMSs, trainee BMSs or HCSSWs.
• Be expected to assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, eg. a Bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak, eg. SARS., H5N1 influenza etc.
• Supervise the HCSSW(s) and less experienced BMS staff in the area of responsibility and to assist in the day-to-day supervision of all other HCSSWs, trainee BMS(s) and inexperienced BMS(s) in the department.
• Deputise for Senior BMS staff where appropriate and when necessary.
• To process the specimens received and to undertake the related tasks in the various sections of the laboratory, leading to the reporting and interpretation of results in accordance with agreed policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs), including specialist reference tests as required of UKHSA Regional Laboratories.
• To be responsible for maintenance of consumables and equipment in immediate area of work. Also, to use and maintain automated equipment following manufacturer`s guidelines and training.
• Based upon sound knowledge and experience, to designate, on receipt, the range of tests to be performed on various samples. This involves making judgments about which automated platform to use, whether confirmation is necessary by other methods etc. and requires an understanding of both disease and the manner in which the laboratory addresses the diagnostic process.
• Using microbiological techniques, to work competently in all sections of the Laboratory, including Bacteriology, Containment Level 3, Serology, Chlamydia and Molecular Diagnostics.
• To adhere to Laboratory bench SOPs and the Laboratory policies and procedures and to work autonomously within the guidelines provided. Also to assist the Quality Manager and other Senior Staff in the preparation and ongoing review of SOPs.
• To plan and organise the work of the allocated area in the laboratory.
• To maintain a high standard of professional competence in the performance of all tests and investigations carried out in the Laboratory.
• To ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of senior staff and/or medical staff, and to report complaints and anomalies as soon as possible.
• To deputise for senior staff as required.
• To ensure a sound knowledge of the laboratory IT system, to look up and enter results, book in patient data, request tests and other similar tasks.
• To be responsible for equipment and automated processors in the area of responsibility, identifying any problems. To act as first-line ‘trouble-shooter’ when and where appropriate, and to bring problems to the attention of senior staff.
• To communicate effectively with all members of the team and other health care professionals.
• To liaise with senior BMS staff, medical and scientific staff in all matters relating to the diagnosis of infection.
• To monitor quality control results and bring any anomalies to the attention of Senior BMS staff as soon as is practicable.
• Where appropriate, to assist or lead in research and audit projects.
• To assist in the production and dissemination of laboratory reports, data and statistics, and to maintain relevant records appropriately.

Health &​ Safety

• To observe safety regulations and attend mandatory fire, manual handling training, etc.
• To observe the immunisation policy of the laboratory.
• To report any accidents to a senior member of staff.
• To assist the Safety Officer, especially with providing risk assessments for new techniques or when reviewing SOPs.

Quality

• To contribute to audit and QMS activity as required
• To work within the UKHSA and Laboratory policies, codes of practice and professional guidelines.

This list is not exhaustive.

• Work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high level of microbiological analysis in order to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment.
• Use the appropriate testing, in a timely manner, to assist the Consultant Microbiologists, and thus ensure the correct clinical diagnosis.
• Perform a range of specialist technical and scientific activities, including testing samples referred from other NHS and UKHSA laboratories.
• Follow appropriate training and orientation, and in rotation with other BMS staff, to work as the sole BMS in extended hours and weekends, undertaking urgent or other high priority work.
• Be responsible for the efficient day-to-day running of an area in a section of the laboratory, to be able to rotate through all the different sections in the laboratory and to supervise and train inexperienced BMSs, trainee BMSs or HCSSWs.
• Be expected to assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, eg. a Bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak, eg. SARS., H5N1 influenza etc.
• Supervise the HCSSW(s) and less experienced BMS staff in the area of responsibility and to assist in the day-to-day supervision of all other HCSSWs, trainee BMS(s) and inexperienced BMS(s) in the department.
• Deputise for Senior BMS staff where appropriate and when necessary.
• To process the specimens received and to undertake the related tasks in the various sections of the laboratory, leading to the reporting and interpretation of results in accordance with agreed policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs), including specialist reference tests as required of UKHSA Regional Laboratories.
• To be responsible for maintenance of consumables and equipment in immediate area of work. Also, to use and maintain automated equipment following manufacturer`s guidelines and training.
• Based upon sound knowledge and experience, to designate, on receipt, the range of tests to be performed on various samples. This involves making judgments about which automated platform to use, whether confirmation is necessary by other methods etc. and requires an understanding of both disease and the manner in which the laboratory addresses the diagnostic process.
• Using microbiological techniques, to work competently in all sections of the Laboratory, including Bacteriology, Containment Level 3, Serology, Chlamydia and Molecular Diagnostics.
• To adhere to Laboratory bench SOPs and the Laboratory policies and procedures and to work autonomously within the guidelines provided. Also to assist the Quality Manager and other Senior Staff in the preparation and ongoing review of SOPs.
• To plan and organise the work of the allocated area in the laboratory.
• To maintain a high standard of professional competence in the performance of all tests and investigations carried out in the Laboratory.
• To ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of senior staff and/or medical staff, and to report complaints and anomalies as soon as possible.
• To deputise for senior staff as required.
• To ensure a sound knowledge of the laboratory IT system, to look up and enter results, book in patient data, request tests and other similar tasks.
• To be responsible for equipment and automated processors in the area of responsibility, identifying any problems. To act as first-line ‘trouble-shooter’ when and where appropriate, and to bring problems to the attention of senior staff.
• To communicate effectively with all members of the team and other health care professionals.
• To liaise with senior BMS staff, medical and scientific staff in all matters relating to the diagnosis of infection.
• To monitor quality control results a