Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Organisational

1.     Understand the management structure of the department and own role within the structure

2.     Attendance at local and corporate induction sessions and Trust mandatory recall training

3.     Aware of Synnovis policies and Departmental policies including sickness absence reporting, requesting annual leave and health and safety

Communication

1.     Communicate any event which may cause a service delivery failure or other issues/problems that may affect the department to the Head Biomedical Scientist in the laboratory

2.     Provide and receive information to and from work colleagues or users of the service, including direction of enquiries to the appropriate member of staff

3.     Prioritise and plan own workload within a given time period and communicate own work priorities within the team. Demonstrate flexibility in carrying out own work priorities within the team context

4.     Service issues reported to the appropriate Lead Biomedical Scientist for the laboratory

5.     Deal with telephone enquiries from other pathology departments and users of the Pathology service.

6.     To treat everyone associated with Synnovis with courtesy and respect

Technical

1.     Participate in the provision of a comprehensive and appropriate diagnostic service to users through the collection, reception, booking in and preparation of samples for analysis, under the supervision of a Biomedical Scientist

2.     Ensure fridge/freezer temperatures are monitored.

3.     Prepare all reagents in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

4.     Effective stock management. Completing Vanessa Blood Stock management data. Dealing with all deliveries both NHSBT and non-NHSBT.

5.     Prepare and pack samples dispatched to other laboratories, stocking up  satellite blood fridges.

6.     Perform all work in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Health and Safety Regulations

7.     Perform under the guidance of qualified Biomedical Scientists automated processing of samples as well as analyser maintenance.

8.     Complete other appropriate duties as directed by the Lead Biomedical Scientist

Scientific

1.     Develop an understanding of the scientific basis of laboratory work

Clinical

1.     Understand the necessity for the accurate communication of complex information

2.     Observe departmental Quality Control procedures and be involved in processing IQC material.

3.     Participate in audit to highlight deficiencies in pre-examination, examination and post-examination process as required by Head Biomedical Scientist

Laboratory Informatics

1.     Comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information

2.     Be familiar with the Laboratory Information System (LIMS)

3.     Records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of Medicines and Healthcare products Regulation Agency(MHRA) and Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) / UKAS ISO 15189.

4.     Maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases

Staff Management

1.     Cooperate with trainers when learning new tasks and contribute to the basic training of others

2.     Maintain good work relations with all members of staff, and promote effective teamwork recognising others skills and priorities.

Resource Management

1.     Use departmental resources efficiently and advise Senior/Lead Biomedical Scientist when stocks of reagents and consumables are approaching minimum stock levels

2.     Ensure all stock items including blood products are checked and topped up on a daily basis.

Risk Management

1.     Work within the Department of Haematological Medicine Health and Safety Policy and Code of Practice and maintain Health and Safety Standards in the laboratory ensuring less experienced staff also conform to the regulations

General

1.     To comply with the policies and procedures of King’s College Hospital NHS Trust and Synnovis

2.     To keep the workplace and workbenches clean and tidy

3.     To maintain good work relations with all members of staff, and to promote effective teamwork

4.     To treat everyone associated with King’s College Hospital NHS Trust and Synnovis with courtesy and respect

5.     Keep appropriate records of all communications

6.     To comply with the training and competence policy and procedure

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

The performance of the post holder will be continually assessed for professional competence, and formally reviewed annually at Performance Review. Key elements of this process will be to establish evidence of continuing professional development and competence to practice as a Senior Assistant Technical Officer, and contribution to the corporate objectives of the laboratory and the Organisation.

Laboratory Equipment and Systems

•    The department is equipped with two Bio-Rad IH-1000 analysers and one IH-500.
•    Routine haematology laboratories are fully automated, utilising the Sysmex XN-9100 track with XN-series, Extended IPU, and Epic Beaker LIMS.

At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.

The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.

The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.

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.

Princess Royal University Hospital is a District General Hospital, which proudly provides quality care to patients within the boroughs of Bromley and Bexley as well as Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham. 

Orpington is located within South East London with a great range of shops, markets and a place where various sports can be enjoyed. It is a great place to live and work.