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Job summary

Main area
Laboratory Medicine
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
234-24-CS0706
Employer
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital
Town
Norwich
Salary
£35,392 - £42,618 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
04/07/2024 23:59
Interview date
11/07/2024

Employer heading

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Healthcare Scientist (Biomedical Scientist (BMS))

NHS AfC: Band 6

At NNUH it is our privilege to provide healthcare to over one million people across Norfolk and surrounding areas. Our vision is to ‘provide the best care for every patient’, and if this inspires you and you share our values, we really want you to join our team. 

NNUH is currently the busiest Trauma Unit in the East of England caring for almost 850 trauma patients annually many with complex care needs. We are enhancing our urgent and emergency care specialist services for patients with significant injuries as a result of trauma and have an ambition to become a Major Trauma Centre.

Our values support our vision and guide the behaviour of everything we do, these are:

People-focused

We look after the needs of our patients, carers and colleagues, to provide a safe and caring experience for all.

Respect

We act with care, compassion and kindness and value others’ diverse needs.

Integrity

We take an honest, open and ethical approach to everything we do.

Dedication

We work as one team and support each other to maintain the highest professional standards.

Excellence

We continuously learn and improve to achieve the best outcomes for our patients and our hospital. 

Wish you were here? So do we.


We want all our staff to achieve a balance between work and personal life and understand how important flexible working can be.  We welcome applications on a full or part time basis, various shift patterns and hybrid working, where roles allow.


At the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH), we know the benefits diversity can bring to our organisation such as creativity, innovation and compassion. All of which have a direct impact towards our staff and patient experience. We are committed to being a Hospital for All – being equitable and inclusive, and a place where all feel a sense of belonging. We therefore particularly encourage and welcome applications from candidates who are underrepresented in NNUH’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people with diverse abilities and people within the LGBT+ community.

Job overview

The Eastern Pathology Alliance (EPA) Microbiology Department is based at the Norfolk at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital.  Providing the sole Microbiology service for Norfolk, we provide diagnostic and clinical services across three busy hospital sites at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and James Paget Hospital, along with the Clinical Commissioning Group.  We deliver high-performing, ISO15189 accredited pathology services across Bacteriology, Mycology, Virology, Serology and molecular diagnostics.

Working for EPA provides exciting opportunities for development, research, education, and training, helping staff to experience a wide and varied career within our organization.  We are committed to attracting and retaining pathology staff, valuing both skills and ideas, whilst supporting you in developing you full potential. Along with being IBMS accredited training laboratory, we also offer a variety of training opportunities for all staff.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Additionally, our Staff Health & Wellbeing programme offer a range of services including mental health support. 

Interview Date: 11th July 2024

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate must hold an IBMS-accredited Biological Sciences degree or equivalent qualification and have a current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Experience in a UK Microbiology laboratory is preferential.

Appointment will be at Band 5 or 6 depending on experience. Band 5 candidates should have completed the IBMS Registration Portfolio and be HCPC registered as a “Biomedical Scientist”. Band 6 candidates must have successfully completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Medical Microbiology.

  • Performing routine laboratory procedures in all areas of the Microbiology (Bacteriology) Laboratory according to laboratory policies and Standard Operating Procedures under supervision of qualified Biomedical Scientist staff.
  • Working across all areas of the laboratory to prepare and process clinical material for testing, run automated analysers, participate in quality improvement and train other staff.
  • Complete ongoing service training including CPD
  • Work with other team members to plan workload and achieve collective goals.

Staff will be expected to participate in the departmental rota. We work Monday to Friday on 3 shifts - early (8am-4pm) core (9am-5pm) and late (12pm-8pm), and on 8am-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Participation in the on-call service will be expected for suitable candidates following appropriate training.

Working for our organisation

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

  • Flexible working hours
  • Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
  • Multi Faith prayer room
  • Discounted gym memberships
  • Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
  • Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
  • Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
  • Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
  • On-site Nursery
  • On-site cafes offering staff discounts
  • Support in career development
  • Flexible staff bank
  • Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • Communicates complex clinical scientific service related test information to managers, consultants, nurses, other health care colleagues, patients and patient carers 
  • Answers telephone inquiries from pathology users, patients and patient carers about test results and provide information that is highly complex about methodologies and service requirements 
  • Interprets results and reassures the users that the information is correct when results do not agree with clinical presentation and investigate and problem solves situations in their specialist field
  • Manages own work and day-to-day routine work in specialised services. Responsible for processing both urgent and routine work to maintain routine turnaround times in line with Trust and Service polices
  • Maintains very complex specialist analytical equipment on a daily basis and sign off as fit for clinical use.
  • Manage and maintain specialised databases in laboratory computer systems and patient storage databases on a daily basis
  • Responsible for inputting and amending specialist patient data and results, which includes other colleagues work
  • Educate and train Medical staff, Clinical Scientists, other BMS, Trainee BMS and MLA’s as required within their specialised area
  • Provide safety supervision and training for junior members of staff and actively promote safe working practices in all areas of the laboratory

Please see the attached job description for full details.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
  • State registration with Health Professions Council (HPC)

Skills

Essential criteria
  • In depth knowledge of the assays performed within their service
  • How to problem solve complex clinical scientific problems
  • Comprehensive knowledge, understanding and the ability to use current laboratory software
  • Able to effectively work within a complex multi-disciplinary team

Attitude, aptitude

Essential criteria
  • Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH’s PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
  • Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesStonewall Health ChampionsMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.We offer Wagestream - A financial wellbeing benefit which lets you access your pay as you earn it.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
John Hayward
Job title
Chief BMS
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01603 288577
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