Senior Biomedical Scientist - Newborn Screening Laboratory
Job overview
MFT hosts one of the largest diagnostic Biochemistry services within the NHS. Now as its own directorate, Biochemistry resides within the division of laboratory medicine and currently comprises of laboratories across Oxford Road, Wythenshawe, Trafford and North Manchester Hospitals.Collectively the laboratories provide a diverse range of complex and specialist services for both adults and paediatrics, with MFT being a large tertiary referral centre and university teaching hospital.
We have an exciting opportunity at our Trafford site seeking enthusiastic and highly motivated HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists who have experience within the Biochemistry department and a passion for clinical excellence, quality and a drive for career development.The post holder will act as a Senior Biomedical Scientist who provides scientific services to patients as an aid to clinical diagnosis. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a wide range of complex analytical procedures, performing a range of manual, semi-automated and automated tests using scientific knowledge and experience to comment upon and validate the results of those tests.
The successful candidate also joins our IT transformation journey with MFT launching the brand new state of the art fully integrated Patient EPR (EPIC) and Laboratory information system (BEAKER) back in September 2022, providing commonality of platforms and processes but also robustness and business continuity across our sites.
Main duties of the job
The Newborn Screening laboratory provides one of the largest newborn screening services in the UK and is responsible for screening 63,000 babies per annum for Congenital Hypothyroidism, Sickle cell, Cystic fibrosis and is partaking in the national evaluation for introducing SCID screening.The Laboratory is well equipped with two Revvity GSPs, BioRad Variant HPLC system, Real-Time PCR Thermal Cycler Eonis™ Q96 / Q384, Tandem mass Spectrometer Xevo TQS Micro and IDS iSYS and has a dedicated Newborn Screening IT system (Revvity Screening center).
The laboratory also provides paediatric and specialist endocrinology services for MFT and other Trusts within the North West. The Newborn Screening Laboratory has a close working relationship with the Willink Laboratory who currently provide the screening service for metabolic disorders screened as part of the National Programme.
The department also invests heavily in research and development to ensure Biochemistry stays at the fore front of technologies. As a progressive department, we invest in staff development offering support and encouragement in CPD with the opportunity to attend approved seminars and external courses when available
Candidates must be in possession of an IBMS specialist portfolio in Clinical Biochemistry or equivalent plus a Fellowship of the IBMS, a Higher specialist diploma of the IBMS, or MSc in the relevant discipline to be appointed
Working for our organisation
MFT is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England with a turnover of £2.8bn & is on a different scale than most other NHS Trusts. We’re creating an exceptional integrated health & social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services every year.
Bringing together 10 hospitals & community services from across Manchester, Trafford & beyond, we champion collaborative working & transformation, encouraging our 30,000 workforce to pursue their most ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate so you’ll benefit from a scale of opportunity that is nothing short of extraordinary.
We’ve also created a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient & staff experience, operational effectiveness & driving research, and innovation through the introduction of Hive; our Electronic Patient Record system which launched in September 2022.
We’re proud to be a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, providing you with a robust infrastructure to encourage and facilitate high-quality research programmes. What’s more, we’re excited to be embarking on our Green Plan which sets out how MFT continues to play its part in making healthcare more sustainable.
At MFT, we create and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development that are fair, open, and transparent, protecting your health and wellbeing and shaping the future of our organisation together.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading. So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the ‘Candidate Essentials Guide’ that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification.This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how ‘we care for you as you care for others’. Most importantly, it also contains critical information you’ll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
Important Notice
This mandatory requirement may apply to this position. If it does apply, you will be asked to provide evidence of vaccinations / exemption as part of the employment checks if you are offered the position
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at [email protected].
We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Suitable 3-year BSc IBMS accredited degree qualification.
- Fellowship of the IBMS, Higher specialist diploma of the IBMS, or MSc in relevant discipline
- State registered with the Health Professions Council following appropriate experience and examination.
- Member of the Institute of Biomedical Science
- IBMS Specialist Portfolio in relevant subject
- Evidence of leadership/managerial experience
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Extensive experience within the discipline
- Knowledge of quality management systems and the principles and application of quality assurance and control
- Detailed knowledge of the principles of analytical methods and instrumentation.
- Knowledge of UKAS ISO 15189 Knowledge of H&S, COSHH and risk assessments Knowledge of pathology LIMS, and Microsoft PC programmes.
- Demonstration of on-going participation in CPD
- Knowledge and experience of newborn screening and paediatric endocrinology
- Experience of method development
- Knowledge of professional, local and national policies that may affect provision of pathology services
Training and Experience
Essential criteria- Significant Post HCPC registration experience in relevant discipline within a UKAS accredited laboratory
- Ability to troubleshoot and perform more complex tasks within specific section
- Experience of writing relevant laboratory documents e.g. SOP’s
- Experience of biochemistry
- Experience of IT systems in use in pathology. Experience of core analyser data management systems. Experience of quality management systems (e.g. Q-pulse or similar)
- Experience of training staff.
- Experience of deputising for senior staff.
- Supervisory experience
- Experience of personnel management e.g. sickness absence
- Experience of training staff in paediatric biochemistry.
- Experience of performing tests on patients (e.g. sweat tests)
- Experience of UKAS accreditation assessments
- Ability to investigate and identify root causes in relation to non-conformances and audit findings
- Experience of newborn screening and paediatric endocrinology
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria- Demonstrate commitment to the highest standards in paediatric biochemistry
- Can use automated and semi-automated equipment. Can perform manual tests with a high degree of accuracy and precision
- Evidence of working as part of a team or can work alone and prioritise work.
- Awareness of management issues
- Ability to organise and supervise other staff. Ability and experience in supervising and training other staff.
- Keyboard and computer skills. Able to analyse data using Microsoft excel and/or other statistical packages.
- Oral and written presentation skills
- Can prepare reports
- Liaising with service users and suppliers
Attributes
Essential criteria- Can cope with busy, stressful periods
- Ability to work off site if required
- Flexible attitude to work
- Good interpersonal skills with the ability to maintain effective working relationships within a team. Good communication skills
- Willing to work outside contracted hours when required
Other
Essential criteria- Exhibit the Trust Values and Behaviours