JD B6 BMS Blood Sciences

JOB DESCRIPTION

1. JOB IDENTIFICATION

Job Title: Biomedical Scientist – Microbiology

Responsible to: Laboratory Manager

Department(s): Laboratory services

Directorate: Clinical Support Services

Last Update New Post SUGGESTED PROFILE-HEALTHCARE SCIENCE PRACTITIONER SPECIALIST BAND 6

2. JOB PURPOSE

The Biomedical Scientist (BMS) specialist in Microbiology will assist the Band 7 Microbiology BMS in providing the microbiology service for NHS Orkney.

A secondary role is as a multi-skilled BMS to a) participate in the laboratory after hours on-call service and b) provide backfill cover for the discipline specific Biomedical Scientists.

The Biomedical Scientist (BMS) blood sciences provides a specialist clinical technical service in Microbiology using a range of scientific techniques, analysers and technical procedures on patient samples.

Responsible for own work and uses specialist training to operate complex equipment and to solve problems.

Acts as a mentor to less experienced and less qualified laboratory staff and participates on the training and supervision of HCSW’s and other non-laboratory clinical staff.

Participates in the laboratory after hours on-call service & provide backfill cover for the discipline specific BMS’s. 3. DIMENSIONS (Job Facts and Figures)

The laboratory has a staff establishment of up to five BMS staff and up to four HCSW staff. Professional support is provided by laboratory services Clinical Director and by nominated clinical consultant pathologists within NHS Grampian. Total annual Microbiology workload is in the region of 10,000 samples per annum, growing at a rate of 5-7%.

Total laboratory annual workload is in the region of 120,000 samples per annum, again growing at a rate of 5-7% pa, with Haematology workload currently 25,000 and Biochemistry 93,000 specimens per annum. More specialised testing (e.g. Immunology) is sent to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary or to supra-regional service laboratories as appropriate.

4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION

Reports directly to the discipline specific BMS’s dependant on departmental roster at that time.

Has no direct line management responsibility for staff.

5. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT The Laboratory processes and analyses clinical samples in four main areas (Haematology, Clinical Chemistry, Blood Transfusion, Microbiology) in order to aid diagnosis and care of patients within NHS Orkney, both in the hospital and the community.

The laboratory also processes and sends away samples that cannot be analysed in NHS Orkney to regional and supra-regional laboratories.

KEY RESULT AREAS

As multidisciplinary Biomedical Scientist 1. Is expected to apply professional standards, policies and procedures to own work. 2. To be competent in local procedures to perform duties of a multidisciplinary BMS in Microbiology. 3. Plan and prioritise your own and support staff workload according to local protocols. 4. Receipt and registration of laboratory samples for testing locally and for referral to regional laboratories. 5. Preparation of specimens for clinical analysers and processing of biomedical specimens. 6. Provide complex advice to clinicians on type of specimens, method of collection and appropriateness of tests e.g. types of collection tubes and special requirements. 7. Ensure that all Communicable Disease isolates e.g. enteric pathogens are notified. 8. Provide back fill for other discipline specific BMS staff after appropriate training. 9. Deal with enquiries and complaints from clinical staff, patients and visitors using laboratory SOPs. 10.Provide specialist advice and training to new staff and Medical Laboratory Assistants as part of the in-house CPD programme. 11.Responsible for testing and maintenance of specialist equipment for use of self and others, e.g. Vitek 2 Compact, BacTAlert blood culture analyser. 12.Post holder will be involved with stock control and ordering of laboratory supplies via RMS and PECOS systems. 13.Will implement and provide suggestions for improvements to Microbiology Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and policies within the laboratory. 14.Ensure all quality control procedures are carried out and report any non-compliance to Quality manager. 15.Maintain a CPD portfolio and HCPC registration. 20. Ensure attendance at laboratory staff meetings

7a. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY

1. As a multidisciplinary BMS, operate and have an advanced level of understanding of complex and intricate/complex analytical instruments that require maintenance, calibration, internal & external controls. 2. Maintain logs for training, competency, maintenance, calibration and quality controls for laboratory equipment. 3. Use of everyday office & communication equipment – PCs, fax, email printers etc. 7b. SYSTEMS

1. Knowledge of network, Microsoft Office, LIMS and document control software. 2. Training of all HCSW staff in routine systems – automated analysers & POCT equipment.

8. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK

The post holder will be the lead specialist and support the Band 7 Microbiology Biomedical Scientist and will be accountable to the departmental (Laboratory) manager but will be delegated a large degree of autonomy in the performance of their duties. The post holder will be expected to anticipate, plan and correct problems without direct supervision/intervention.

9. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS

As a multidisciplinary Microbiology BMS the post holder is responsible for: Are they an autonomous practitioner and will help assure deliverance of the Clinical Microbiology service in NHS Orkney. Communicating with colleagues and clinicians about laboratory investigations required. Answering queries on test results and giving advice on their interpretation. Providing and receiving complex and/or sensitive information related to patient clinical condition and test results, e.g. the need for attention to detail regarding the labelling of samples and forms, and checking the accuracy of patient details. Communicating with colleagues and clinicians about laboratory investigations required. Providing information related to sample requirements for specialised testing, e.g. how some therapies can affect test results. Elevation of non-conformity issues to appropriate level for resolution, eg Risk Management & Clinical Governance related issues. Use of clinical judgement in interpretation of test results. Advice to service users must be within limits of level of knowledge, complexity of tests, clinical details & test results. The post holder is expected to use a high degree of knowledge and skills in order to make accurate decisions on test results prior to validation/authorisation, and to suggest further reflex testing if required.

10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB

Meeting regulatory and other accreditation standards including Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd and the United Kingdom Accreditation Scheme (UKAS). Working within budgetary and time constraints to maintain an effective QMS. Making independent decisions about laboratory issues. Working with potentially hazardous and infectious clinical samples using personal protective clothing and equipment. Working under pressure to meet immediate clinical needs of patients and users, for example, the emergency demand for transfusion products, working as a lone worker on-call, participating in the out of hours service. Ensuring any complaints are dealt with tact and politeness and referred to an appropriate senior member of staff.

11. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

The post-holder will communicate directly with: Will communicate with members of the public, and staff about issues that may be unwelcome or contentious and invoke a degree of resistance and antagonism e.g. difficult patient presenting at laboratory reception, barriers due to understanding non-English speaking patients, patients with dementia etc. Band 7 Microbiology lead and Deputy Laboratory Manager. NHS Orkney clinical staff regarding test results and sample selection. External agencies undertaking business communications with the department. Laboratory colleagues. Attendance, as required, at Laboratory Management meetings and Laboratory Annual Review. Members of the public.

12. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

Requirement to work autonomously, while dealing with complex, multi-stranded and often contentious issues. Occasional requirement for moderate effort to handle stocks and delivery of goods. Contact with hazardous or infectious reagents and waste materials such as blood and urine on a daily basis. Working intermittently at computer workstations for prolonged periods. Need for good hand-eye co-ordination in specimen preparation and in the set up and operation of analysers. 14. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT

A separate job description will need to be signed off by each jobholder to whom the job description applies.

Job Holder’s Signature: Date:

Head of Department Signature: Date: PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title: Biomedical Scientist – Blood sciences

Department: NHS Orkney Laboratory Services

Location: Balfour Hospital

FACTOR ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

EXPERIENCE Post holder will work at post Extensive experience of graduate level equivalent. Microbiology

Post-qualification Microbiology Use of Biomerieux Vitek experience in a routine diagnostic analyser. laboratory Experience in Blood sciences/ Transfusion Science

Experience of CPA/UKAS accreditation procedures

QUALIFICATIONS HCPC Registered. Specialist qualifications in TRAINING Microbiology RESEARCH Honours degree or equivalent PUBLICATIONS experience suitable for Experience suitable for registration as a registration as a Associate of the Institute of Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (AIBMS). Biomedical Sciences (FIBMS). Evidence of advanced training, i.e. CPD portfolio. Other computing or management qualifications

KNOWLEDGE AND Expert knowledge of routine Previous experience of SKILLS diagnostic procedures Clinisys “Labcentre” laboratory information Demonstrable ability to produce system working documents – e.g. SOPs Previous experience of Able to use and produce Word document control software documents, Spreadsheets and use of database DISPOSITION Ability to maintain excellent Demonstrable leadership communication skills in a busy skills environment, both in person over the telephone, by e-mail and Fax.

Demonstrable negotiation skills

Ability to work autonomously and to tight deadlines.

OTHER Ability to deal with medical confidential information in the context of the data protection act.

Must participate in after- hours rota. (Training will be provided)

Must be prepared to co-operate in provision of services to NHS Orkney

Full driving licence or ability to make suitable arrangements to attend promptly for on-call purposes.