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biological scientist

Job Description

We invite applications from suitably qualified Biomedical Scientists for a permanent position to a Senior Biomedical Scientist role working predominately in our Gastrointestinal Investigations Laboratory. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual with HCPC Biomedical Scientist registration and demonstrable analytical and people skills.

The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of a broad range of complex, specialised diagnostic procedures for both routine clinical and research applications.

The Reference Biochemistry Laboratories at King’s College Hospital (part of Synnovis Analytics LLP) provides specialist service delivery using latest technology in a variety of laboratories (Metabolic, Immunochemistry, Porphyrins, Gastrointestinal, Steroids, and Diabetes). Experience in Immunoassay and Chromatography techniques are desirable for the role.

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.

Over the last 170 years, King’s has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.

To learn more about this opening, please see contact details below or simply apply through the application process.

In conjunction with the Operational Lead, to manage a robust and timely service delivery for analytical work predominately (but not limited to) the Gastrointestinal Investigations section of Reference Biochemistry, maintaining the highest quality and safety throughout the section.

As required, to design and deliver on assay service development within the department.

The post holder is required to train and motivate staff to meet service requirements and turnaround times. This requires the post holder to liaise with senior laboratory staff and clinicians as well as maintaining adequate supplies of reagents and consumables.

The post holder will also undertake analytical, technical and administrative troubleshooting to ensure reliable service delivery, potentially splitting time between sections.

The post holder will be required to undertake their responsibilities within any of the Specialist Clinical Biochemistry sections to meet all required national standards e.g. UKAS.

When necessary, the post holder may be required to deputise for a more senior colleague.

When necessary, the post holder may be required to work at a different site within the Synnovis laboratory network.

Subject to contract and competence assessment the post holder may discharge analytical duties either working alone or as part of a small team.

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.

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

• To safely handle blood, urine, faeces, other body tissue, hazardous and/or radioactive chemicals.
• To ensure that appropriate preventative maintenance has been performed 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 train and develop the competence of trainee Biomedical Scientists, Healthcare Scientists and Clinical Scientists in the procedures for which the post holder is responsible.
• To help initiate, establish and maintain a system that ensures maximal availability and flexibility in operation of departmental analytical instruments and associated equipment.

• To undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation and write SOP’s, as directed by the Operational Lead.
• To participate in research and development as directed by the Consultant Clinical Scientist/ Operational Lead.
• 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 assays within the department and to facilitate the development and clinical use of analytical methods based upon immunoassay and separation science techniques in collaboration with junior and senior colleagues.
• As required, 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 Clinical Scientist and supervised by a Service Delivery Manager/Divisional Manager or Consultant Scientist/Consultant Chemical Pathologist.

• 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 (as applicable) and to refer on to appropriate specialists requests for information out with their area of responsibility.

• The post holder will work with the Quality Manager to ensure the section remains UKAS compliant 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 Operational Lead, 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 (as per IQA SOP). 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.

• 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, including fire safety.
• To take appropriate action if there is a spillage of body fluids or hazardous chemicals in order to minimise the risk to staff and the public
• To conduct regular risk assessments and take appropriate corrective action when required.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• At request of the Operational Lead and Service Delivery Manager, to supervise the ongoing operation of any section of Reference Biochemistry.
• To ensure compliance with good work practices in accordance with the standards of UKAS
• 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, Healthcare 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.
• To assist the Operational Lead in the preparation and monitoring of management and operational performance data, for example turnaround times, workload and materials consumption, plan and take corrective action if required.
• To participate in the selection and recruitment of Biomedical Scientists and support staff.
• The post holder must maintain a flexible approach to the post in order to rapidly assimilate changes in workload, patterns and requirements, and will undertake any other duties commensurate with the post as required by the Section Head.

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