Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Applications are invited from suitably experienced HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists or a suitably qualified trainee working towards HCPC registration, to join our busy team within the Department of Histology based at Derriford Hospital Plymouth. The laboratory is well equipped and handles over 40,000 requests per annum.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, highly adaptable person who is a good team player and communicator and has the ability to liaise effectively with colleagues and service users.

Biomedical Scientist band 6 must be registered with the HCPC and have demonstrable experience in a Histology laboratory with proven knowledge and skills of a Specialist BMS.

It is a requirement of the department that all band 6 Biomedical Scientist staff must have completed their specialist portfolio.

Biomedical Scientist without the specialist portfolio will be considered, but will not be employed at band 6, they will initially be employed at band 5 until they have achieved the Specialist Portfolio.

Candidates who have completed an IBMS accredited Degree or Degree with IBMS approved top up qualification and are working towards HCPC registration via portfolio will be considered and will initially be employed at band 4 until they have obtained HCPC registration.

A positive attitude to flexible working arrangements is required.

To provide a clinical technical service by performing a range of routine and specialist techniques to the biological material submitted for examination.

To undertake scientific duties within the Department to facilitate the smooth running of the service.

To maintain and run specialist equipment up to a value of £350,000

To possess the skills and knowledge required to provide the necessary training and supervision of Band 5 Biomedical Scientists, Trainee Biomedical Scientists and support staff within your area of work.

Derriford is a Cancer Care Centre and the largest teaching hospital within the southwest peninsula and offers excellent onsite facilities including a modern library, teaching, meeting and video-conferencing facilities. It has strong links with Plymouth University and the Peninsula school of Medicine and Dentistry.

The hospital is situated within easy reach of central Plymouth, Tavistock, Ivybridge and Cornwall via the Tamar Bridge or via Torpoint car ferry.

Our location offers an exciting work life balance, with Dartmoor and glorious beaches on the doorstep and Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City offering culture and excellent travel links.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS at Risk staff throughout Devon who is able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

Participate in routine and specialised techniques in Histology and any other areas as required. This will require the unsupervised preparation of high risk and specialist material eg renal biopsies, to the necessary quality standards.

Participate in all internal and external quality control/quality assurance systems and schemes, appropriate to the area of work and, using advanced knowledge of staining techniques and pathology, have the necessary competence to send out work to the medical staff.

To be jointly responsible for maintenance of adequate stocks of reagent and consumables to ensure continuous service provision in the section and the laboratory in general.

Prepare and provide statistical and other information as required.

Monitor information to assist with audit. This relates to the collation, review and correlation of data for clinical audit, reporting or research purposes.

To write any procedures relevant to your area of work. To implement procedural change as required by the Section Lead and disseminate information relating to them. In conjunction with other BMS staff, ensure that all operational procedures, protocols and policies within the area of work are maintained, reviewed, updated and audited when necessary.

Keep up to date with health and safety requirements and take an active part in the Health and Safety of the sections worked. Comply with, and ensure compliance of, other grades of staff with local and national regulations.

Participate in and conduct staff annual appraisals and set/achieve relevant objectives.

Assist in the process of continuous quality improvement. This will include audit, corrective action, preventative action and improvement processes.

Ensure that the necessary communication and relationship skills are maintained to facilitate the smooth running of the section.

Support income generation initiatives within the section and the Department and undertake work from any source

Answer telephone enquiries regarding laboratory issues eg giving advice on the correct specimen treatment and storage.

Ensure that all paper held records, slides and diagnostic specimens are safely filed in the correct location for future use and reference by authorised personnel. Maintain satisfactory records of reports to ensure swift retrieval of information on both hard copy and computer held records.

Ensure the accurate maintenance of all records that might be required of the post.

To carry out all work to specified standards laid down by the professional bodies including the Institute of Biomedical Scientists (IBMS), Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

To rotate through sections of the Department as required.

Communicate any difficulties, problems, accidents or incidents affecting the delivery of the service or the Department to a line manager promptly.