Job vacancy: Senior Biomedical Scientist, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, Stockton on Tees

Job summary

Main area: Haematology/Haemostasis
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Full time 37.5 hours)
Job ref: 345-MED6164537-B

Employer: North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: UHNT
Town: Stockton on Tees
Salary: £43,742 - £50,056 pro rata, per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 30/07/2024 23:59
Interview date: 12/08/2024

Senior Biomedical Scientist

NHS AfC: Band 7

We are on a continuous journey of improvement and transformation , however our main priority is, and always will be, providing safe and high quality care to our patients every day; the kind of care we would want for ourselves and our loved ones. If you share our passion then apply for this opportunity and help us make our patients’ experience the best it can possibly be.

With a budget of around £365m, three hospitals and 5,500 staff, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital-based services to the population of Hartlepool, Stockton on Tees and parts of East Durham and Sedgefield as well as community, therapeutic and screening to a wider population across Durham and Teesside.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Human Resource Management

To deputise for Operational Lead BMS in his / her absence
To provide leadership in a team environment and support all staff
To be responsible for robust rota and annual leave management to ensure an appropriate number and skill mix of staff within the department at all times
To apply induction arrangements for new staff and visitors according to Trust and local policy
To manage staff including performance, work evaluation and discipline under the direction of the Haematology/Haemostasis Scientific Leads/Managers maintaining comprehensive staff records
To lead in recruitment and selection procedures
Carry out regular appraisals for staff, ensuring business goals are clearly communicated and linked to objectives
In conjunction with Haematology/Haemostasis Scientific Leads/Managers produce a personal development plan and attend mandatory and other training as required
To be the first point of contact for staff in the department in instances of conflict and disagreement
Supervise Biomedical Scientists reporting any capability or conduct issues to Haematology/Haemostasis Scientific Leads/Managers.
Tackle discrimination and harassment and promote equality and diversity in the workplace
Demonstrate commitment to IWL principles and flexible working patterns to meet the needs of the service and needs of staff
Reduce sickness absence; work place accidents; and promote zero tolerance on violence against staff
Take responsibility for personal development and education and the development of a Personal Development Plan

Quality Management and Clinical Governance

To write standard operating procedures in areas of expertise and in conjunction with the Haematology/Haemostasis Scientific Leads/Managers ensure that these are followed
In collaboration with other Senior Biomedical Scientists, implement internal and external quality control and resolve non conformances in a timely manner
Perform risk assessments, COSHH assessments and incident reporting (InPhase)
Perform audits following an audit schedule, record and manage on Q pulse highlighting non-compliance to Haematology/Haemostasis Scientific Leads/Managers.
To attend departmental quality meetings providing QC reports, trend analysis, complaints and incident reports as directed by Haematology/Haemostasis Scientific Leads/Managers. Deputise for the Chair of the departmental quality meeting as required
Use information to provide reports on workload, turnaround times and performance indicators and recommendations for efficient use of laboratory resources
To promote lean working to ensure a safe, tidy, efficient workplace and to advise on improvements in own area completing quality improvement notes if appropriate
In collaboration with Haematology/Haemostasis Scientific Leads/Managers, contribute to the achievement and maintenance of licensing and accreditation standards as relevant to the discipline

Scientific and Diagnostic

Maintain up to date knowledge in area of expertise to inform on service improvements, equipment requirements and business planning.
Monitor maintenance procedures and perform advanced troubleshooting on highly complex equipment requiring high levels of concentration
Work with the Haematology/Haemostasis Scientific Leads/Managers to plan and prioritise workflows so that timely and accurate results are produced in order to achieve a high standard of diagnostic work which will contribute to optimal patient care
Directly accountable through the management structure for the delivery of the technical/ scientific service
To critically evaluate new equipment and procedures and report findings to the Haematology/Haemostasis Scientific Leads/Managers and Consultant(s)
To ensure that adequate stocks of reagents and consumables are held at all times, perform good stock control ensuring resources are used efficiently and order new stock in accordance with Trust Standing Financial Orders
Notify equipment / general building / fitting failures to the estates & facilities department

Training and Education

To undertake a mentoring role for relevant staff especially in the completion post registration qualifications eg specialist and higher specialist portfolios, leadership and management qualifications
To deliver training in new equipment and methodologies
To deliver presentations to laboratory staff to fulfil CPD requirements
Maintain up to date knowledge in area of expertise and to share this knowledge with other staff

Financial

Authorise expenditure within agreed limits including staff expenses and overtime payments

Control of Infection

To be aware of, and comply with, all Trust infection prevention and control policies, to include hand hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental and food hygiene.

To undertake annual training/updates in infection prevention and control.

Communication and Working Relationships

Liaise with all members of the laboratory team and across the Pathology Directorate
Communication of patients` results to service users including acute trust and primary care trust staff.
Maintain regular communication with Departmental Head and Senior Biomedical Scientists in relation to training and work-related matters.
Participate in laboratory meetings to ensure effective dissemination of information and discussion of problems relating to area of expertise. Chair meetings at request for Haematology/Haemostasis Scientific Leads/Managers.
Providing training as required to laboratory staff in area of expertise.
Treating all colleagues and laboratory users with courtesy and respect at all times as stated in Trust Personal Responsibility Framework.

The most challenging part of the job

Maintain up-to-date knowledge in areas of expertise
Perform and monitor staff training to ensure that competency is maintained
Communicating by means of formal presentations new laboratory developments to all staff both within the laboratory and in clinical areas.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

IBMS accredited degree with HCPC registration
IBMS specialist portfolio in appropriate discipline and either IBMS HSD or an appropriate MSc.
Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD)

Desirable criteria

Supervisory/management qualification.
IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice in Leadership and Management

Knowledge

Essential criteria

Advanced knowledge of laboratory techniques and Biomedical science.
Basic working knowledge of Pathology IT systems. Knowledge of relevant legislation and safety measures.
Experience of UKAS accreditation

Desirable criteria

Advanced working knowledge of Pathology IT systems.
Management knowledge

Experience

Essential criteria

Minimum 3 years post registration experience.
Experience of using instrumentation and specialised techniques within the department/sections.

Desirable criteria

Management experience Evidence of change management Method development expertise.

Skills

Essential criteria

Able to communicate with all levels of staff
Able to understand new technological advances
Able to prepare documents at short notice.
Able to maintain good relations with all staff.

Disposition

Essential criteria

Excellent interpersonal skills
Calm under pressure
Enthusiastic and forward looking
Focused on best interests of patients

Please check your email address on a regular basis as applicants invited to attend an interview will be notified via this method.

As part of our recruitment process, you will be required to undertake pre-employment screening:
Disclosure and Barring Scheme (previously Criminal Records Bureau)
Where a post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 it may be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Scheme to check for any previous criminal convictions. Should you require a copy of the Trust's Disclosure and Barring Service Policy, please contact a member of the recruitment team on 01642 624023.

It is the policy of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost for their DBS certificate. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay on commencement with the Trust.

Please note the essential qualifications required for the post outlined within the Person Specification. You are required to hold and provide evidence of the necessary qualifications for the post at interview should you be shortlisted.

For any new employees commencing employment with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust , you will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period. Please note that internal applications and individuals that are appointed to fixed term appointments of less than 6 months duration are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or a bank member of staff).

As part of our pre-employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years employment history. Applicants are requested to ensure e-mail addresses for all referees are included on their application form. Personal references are not acceptable.

If the hours advertised for the post are up to full time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full-time hours and all requests will be considered in line with the post being appointed to for the successful applicant.

North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust operates a No Smoking Policy.

If you experience any technical difficulties applying for this post please contact a member of our recruitment team on 01642 624023 quoting the vacancy reference.

Equal Opportunities

The details in the Monitoring Information section of your application will be used for monitoring our recruitment process and will not be seen by the interview panel. The information you give will be treated in the strictest confidence. To meet its commitment to promoting equality of opportunity, the Trust’s policy is that individuals will be recruited, trained and promoted according to ability and job requirements only. As such we welcome your application irrespective of your gender, race, disability, colour, ethnic or national origin, and nationality, and marital status, responsibility for dependants, religion, trade union activity and age.

Disability

The Trust gives full and fair consideration to applications for employment received from disabled people. We are a “Positive about Disabled People” employer, and we hold the ‘two ticks’ Disability Symbol, which is a recognition given by Jobcentre Plus to employers who have agreed to meet five commitments regarding the recruitment, employment, retention and career development of disabled people. If you have a disability, which makes it difficult for you to complete our application form, please do not hesitate to contact the recruitment team on 01642 624023.

Armed Forces Covenant

As a supporter of the Armed Forces and an employer of Reservists, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces (and their families) are treated fairly.

We recognise that reservists and veterans bring a variety of transferable skills and qualities to our workplace, developed through their military careers. Our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community has been recognised through the Armed Forces Covenant as a Silver Employer.

What does this mean?

We proactively demonstrate our forces-friendly credentials within our recruitment and selection processes, by having a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for those indicated as part of the Armed Forces Community. We engage with our local and regional Career Transition Partnership representatives and are a member of Step Into Health. We employ veterans and reservists from differing branches of the Armed Forces and actively promote our positive policies for the Armed Forces Community, including our Special Leave policy. We advocate support for defence people issues, including facilitating easier access to Healthcare Services for our patients within the AF Community. We have supported employees through Reservist training, through additional leave for their training and ongoing support under our Special Leave policy.