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Job summary

Main area
317 Microbiology - Corporate
Grade
Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
317-2024-42-048
Employer
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Freeman Hospital
Town
317 01 Freeman Hospital
Salary
£46,148 - £52,809 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
07/11/2024 23:59
Interview date
26/11/2024

Employer heading

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Advanced Biomedical Scientist – Section Leader

Band 7

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 15,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.6 billion.

We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.

We’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country, supporting people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders. 

Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts each day, delivering high standards of healthcare.

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.

Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.

Job overview

The Department of Microbiology and Virology is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Advanced Biomedical Scientist to assist the Operational Site Manager in providing day to day operational continuity within the Virology section of the laboratory, in order to deliver an efficient and timely Molecular Service to the Trust, community and wider region.

  • Interview Date Tuesday 26 November 2024
  • 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
  • You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy.  Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring the appropriate laboratory diagnostic tests are performed using their knowledge, judgement and technical expertise. They will have experience of virology at both a technical and theoretical level and be able to demonstrate leadership qualities.

The role requires the individual to work closely with departmental colleagues, consultant virologists and other service users. 

Working for our organisation

Our staff oversee over 2 million patients ‘contacts’ each year, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:


•    Freeman Hospital
•    Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
•    Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General             Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
•    Newcastle Dental Hospital
•    Newcastle Fertility Centre
•    Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
•    Northern Genetics Service
•    Cramlington Manor Walks

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS. 

We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under ‘Documents to download’ or ‘Supporting documents’.

For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • The department of Microbiology and Virology is made up of several specialist sections as shown in the organisation chart and the jobholder will contribute to the provision of an effective clinical diagnostic testing and advice service to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners and
    other legitimate users of the service.
  • This will involve assisting an Operational Site Manager with operational continuity by supervising, organising, and directing Biomedical Scientists and Healthcare Science Practitioners (HCSPs), maintaining work standards and day to day performance.
  • Leading and participating in the practical work in the designated section and imparting specialist knowledge in clinical technical situations is also required.
  • To provide specialist scientific knowledge and to work as a member of the team to assess, plan and contribute to the provision of a specialised service.
  • To supervise and participate in the practical work of the section including reception, sorting, numbering, booking in and analysis of samples, including interpretation of clinical details and deciding which investigations are most appropriate, and any associated recording or data entry.
  • To ensure appropriate laboratory diagnostic tests are performed and results validated using judgement and expertise.
  • To interpret laboratory results and apply these to ensure individual patient needs are met.
  • To participate in the section Quality Assurance programmes, investigate situations and instigate remedial action and to report such events to the Laboratory Management Team.
  • To support the Laboratory Management Team in maintaining accreditation status (UKAS, HTA, MHRA, HSE)
  • There may be a requirement for Advanced BMS grades to rotate through different sections.
  • To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to the Department Health and Safety Officer.
  • To ensure the section has adequate supplies of consumables and that equipment is in good working order.
  • Practical and theoretical training and supervision of BMS and HCSP staff, Students, Junior Doctors and other visitors.
  • To ensure effective communication within the department and liaise with external colleagues such as the Public Health Field Epidemiologists and National Surveillance Programme Data Analysts.
  • The Advanced BMS will participate in the department out of hour’s rotas. They will be asked to provide cover for Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday duties in the department as required.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Person specification

Qualifications & Education

Essential criteria
  • BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent Qualification
  • Health & Care Professions Council registration
  • Completion of the IBMS Specialist portfolio or equivalent experience at specialist level in Microbiology or Virology
  • Level 7 qualification (MSc, IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or NSHCS Scientist Training Programme)
Desirable criteria
  • Experience and/or qualification in leadership and management

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria
  • Previous experience and knowledge in Serology or Virology gained as a Biomedical Scientist
  • Experience of training and assessment
  • Experience in Quality Management Systems (Audit, EQA & IQC)
  • Experience of maintaining and troubleshooting equipment
  • Good general computer literacy, including familiarity with Windows and common applications
  • Willingly accepts responsibility and takes control of situations
Desirable criteria
  • Use of bespoke IT software packages for example analyser middleware systems
  • Experience in Research and Development
  • Familiarity with current UKAS accreditation standards

Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Effective communication skills
  • Evidence of effective leadership skills
  • Strong analytical, organisational and planning skills
  • Able to understand complex problems quickly and to identify workable solutions
  • Ability to multitask
  • Good hand eye co-ordination
  • Able to effectively communicate complex issues both verbally and written
  • Able to act independently and use initiative
  • Able to delegate and share knowledge
Desirable criteria
  • Keyboard and IT related skills

Employer certification / accreditation badges

We are a Living Wage EmployerVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardRIDI Awards Finalist 2021Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStonewall Gold 2022Better Health at Work Award - Maintaining ExcellenceDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - Gold

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Gary Eltringham
Job title
Healthcare Scientist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0191 2448855
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