Night Shift Biomedical Scientist - Haem and BTNHS

Job summary

There is an exciting opportunity within Health Services Laboratories department of Haematology & Blood Transfusion located at the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead Site, to recruit a night shift Specialist Biomedical Scientist for Diagnostic Haematology , coagulation & Blood Transfusion.

Applications are invited from committed, motivated and enthusiastic individuals who wish to extend their skills and be instrumental in moving the department into an exciting future.

Salaries are comparable with agenda for change pay scales dependent on experience.

Main duties of the job

The role will include night shift working in Haematology, coagulation and Blood Transfusion, following a period of induction during core hours. Some core training days will be scheduled throughout the year to ensure competency is maintained. If you would like to be involved in shaping the future of the pathology services at HSL and are HCPC Registered with an accredited Biomedical Science Degree with a minimum of 3 years post registration experience and have previously participated in a night shift rota, you are invited to apply.

Experience of working in a Haematology and Blood Transfusion Laboratory is essential. You will be part of a team responsible for the 24/7 running of the routine Haematology & Blood Transfusion section and have the opportunity to play an integral part in introducing new methodologies and technologies and providing a service of the highest standard to our service users.

You will be working 37.5 hrs per week with ashift pattern of 3 consecutive twelve-hour night shifts with 3/4 nights rest period before the next set of night shifts. The rest period between each set of night shifts will vary to accommodate the working hours.

The department has an excellent training programme to develop staff to realise their potential and career advancement. The post holder will have opportunities for further development, with responsibilities for quality and training dependent on experience

Job description

Overall Job Purpose:

To undertake haematological and blood transfusion investigations, rotating through all sections of the RRL as required to maintain knowledge and skill levels to work both independently and under the supervision of senior biomedical scientists to maintain a 24/7 service.

Main Duties:

To include, but not be restricted to, the following duties:

1. To contribute to providing a professional and technical laboratory service working effectively as a team member as part of the overall department.

2. To work independently performing routine analyses with support as required from senior Biomedical Scientists.

3. To support the 24/7 laboratory service, participating in shifts as allocated by the RRL Manager

4. Specialise in Haematology & Blood transfusion with the opportunity to train & provide a service in the Biochemistry section service delivery permitting.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

1. To undertake routine maintenance of analysers and equipment, ensuring that Calibration, IQC and EQC are within acceptable limits. This forms part of the duties of completing all documentation required by CPA/UKAS and MHRA. To communicate any issue that may affect provision of the service to the Senior Biomedical Scientist.

2. To undertake basic troubleshooting in the event of equipment or assay failure. Escalating the failure to a senior member of staff as necessary, and maintaining incident documentation as required by the Standard Operating Procedures.

3. To ensure that adequate stocks of consumables and reagents are available to maintain an efficient service, informing Senior Biomedical Scientists when supplies need replenishing.

4. Performs investigations in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and Laboratory health and safety policies, to a high standard providing results in a timely fashion so as to comply with turn around times as stated in the Users Handbook.

5. To perform routine morphological assessments of routine blood smears and to be able to identify normal and abnormal blood cells and common blood-borne parasites.

1. To perform more complex investigations under the supervision of a Senior Biomedical Scientist.

2. To perform blood group and antibody screening and other routine tests within the Blood Transfusion laboratory, and to perform further secondary testing including Antibody Panel investigations and identification as necessary.

3. To be aware of all local and national guidelines and policies related to the provision of safe blood products to patients.

4. To provide compatible blood components for routine and emergency transfusion

5. To undertake technical and first level authorisation of results, ensuring that IQC is within accepted limits. To interpret and understand the implications of results at a basic level and to take appropriate action when these fall outside the expected ranges, communicating them to the requestor and referring the request to the Haematology Registrars or Consultant Haematologist where clinical input is required.

6. To receive and communicate information accurately and concisely to colleagues and service users as required.

7. To inform the Senior Biomedical Scientist or manager of any issues that may affect the provision of the service.

8. To assist in the development and implementation current and new techniques within the laboratory.

9. To assist in the validation of new equipment.

10. To assist in the review and development of current and new Standard Operating Procedures

11. To undertake and assist in Clinical and Scientific audits as required by the RRL manager

12. To develop and improve professional expertise and specialist skills.

Training and Education

1. To undertake relevant and necessary training to maintain and improve knowledge and skills as directed by the Head of Haematology and Transfusion Laboratories or Deputies.

2. To maintain own personal development and attend departmental meetings as required.

3. To maintain registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and participate in a recognised CPD scheme.

4. To take an active interest in and keep abreast of developments in the discipline.

5. To assist in the development of junior colleagues by assisting in the training of trainee BMS and MLA staff, and to undertake, complete, and sign off all competencies associated with these grades.

About us

At HSL we offer a variety of excellent staff benefits including:

Training and development opportunities supporting professional development

Annual salary review - salary and progression are aligned to our internal transparent pay structure (Progression Plus), supporting career development and structured annual salary reviews

Discounted gym membership we have a corporate gym membership scheme with Better Gyms

Cash healthcare plan cash back on a variety of healthcare costs including dentist and opticians

Sick Pay Entitlement one months full pay and one months half pay after probation

Permanent Health Insurance and Death in Service Cover

Life Assurance providing salary continuation for long term illness, six months qualifying period

Employee Assistance Programme supporting staff wellbeing

Season Ticket Loan Scheme interest free loan for the cost of annual travel ticket

Perkbox Access to additional staff perks and benefits such as high street discounts

Company Pension Scheme company and staff contributions which increase with service

Competitive annual leave allowance 29 days.

Flexible working hours we support and offer flexibility around shift patterns and working schedule