Job summary
Applications are invited from motivated, enthusiastic and improvement focussed HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientists to join the Haematology & Blood Transfusion Department at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. We are UKAS accredited and an IBMS approved training laboratory.

Applications are being sought from experienced HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists who have successfully completed the IBMS Specialist Diploma in Haematology with Hospital Transfusion Practice.

The post holder will be required to work 37.5 hours per week as part of the 24/7 roster, including nights, weekends and Bank Holidays.

The successful candidate will be expected to work across two hospital sites providing support to a Senior Biomedical Scientist in a Designated Section to be agreed following commencement in role.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a progressive and supportive laboratory service that is committed to staff development, innovation and high-quality patient care. The successful candidate will gain experience across a broad range of haematology and transfusion disciplines, with opportunities to contribute to service improvement, quality management, training and audit activities. We actively support continuing professional development, specialist training and career progression within a friendly team environment.

For further information, please contact Bev Byfield-Jones, Haematology Manager via email: bev.jones5@nhs.net.

Main duties of the job
To support Biomedical Scientists and MLA staff within the Designated Section on the Worcestershire Royal Hospital Site

To support the Section Lead/Senior BMS in the Designated Section within the resources available. To assist with the training of less experienced staff in the Designated Section

To monitor Quality & Performance within the Designated Section To work and maintain competence in all other sections of the laboratory as required

The post holder will be expected to hold the IBMS Specialist Diploma in Haematology with Hospital Transfusion Practice or equivalent precursor.

The role includes some weekend, bank holiday and night duties on a rotational basis. The post holder is required to have a flexible approach to shifts worked across 2 hospital sites to ensure the service is maintained safely.

Training will be given to enable the duties to be carried out efficiently.

Participation in the IBMS CPD scheme is encouraged

All mandatory training specific to the Department and Trust will be provided and must be kept up to date. Post-graduate training will be supported as necessary to enable compliance with the qualifications required for this post. In some cases this may not be funded by the Trust.

About us
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester

Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Being open and honest

Ensuring people feel cared for

Showing respect to everyone

We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

DBS Checks and Costs
Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.

Job responsibilities
1. Key Duties:

• 1.1 Assist Section Leads with Management of the QMS in the Designated Section of the department on the WRH site
• 1.2 Assist with training of staff in the Designated Section
• 1.3 Ensure adequate stocks of reagents and consumables are available with appropriate recording of reagent lot numbers for audit and verification
• 1.4 Monitor IQC and EQA performance and investigate and resolve any problems in conjunction with the Section Lead BMS
• 1.5 Attend Laboratory meetings and present Quality and Performance updates for the Haematology Section in the absence of the Section Lead BMS.
• 1.6 Assist the Section Lead with the production of SOPs Documents and maintenance logs ensuring they are kept up to date.
• 1.7 Maintain all documentation required for UKAS ISO15189 accreditation.
• 1.8 Assist the Section Lead to ensure all matters relating to UKAS ISO15189 compliance are addressed
• 1.9 Assist with the maintenance of all equipment in the Designated Section and liaise with suppliers over problems Call out service engineers when appropriate
• 1.10 Assist with the implementation and development of new techniques within the Designated Section of the Department to include taking a lead role in Verification and all documentation required to demonstrate compliance with ISO15189 standard prior to implementation.
• 1.11 Liaise with Company Representatives under the direction of the Section Lead BMS
• 1.12 Take telephone enquiries from Doctors, Nurses, other Ward staff, GP surgeries, staff from other Hospitals, and any other outside sources. Give results and advice, if appropriate or transfer or seek advice.
• 1.13 Review test results from analysers and authorise if appropriate or pass for further tests or review by Consultant Haematologists.
• 1.14 Assist with sample referral to external laboratories and the inputting of report data received back
• 1.15 Be able to perform routine investigations in Haematology and Blood Transfusion and be prepared to undertake duties in all sections of the Department as required.
• 1.16 Be able to perform microscopic examination of stained blood films, reporting of findings, and then authorising results or passing to Consultant Haematologists.
• 1.17 Input Patient ID and test request data onto Laboratory IT system.
• 1.18 Liaise with departmental IT Specialist BMS on day to day issues relating to WinPath BHI to ensure functionality as described in SOPs.
• 1.19 Participate in the departmental 24-7 shift rota. This involves the following: To be able to work alone without supervision. To be able to take control in any Health and Safety event that may take place out of hours. To be able to authorise results as they are available to enable them to be reported electronically to wards and departments. To be able to give advice to Doctors and ward staff if needed. To monitor the quality of the service offered at all times. Ability to respond to the Trust Major Incident Policy.

2 Education and Training

• 2.1 Assist with the supervision of training and monitor the performance of BMS and MLA staff working in the Designated Section.
• 2.2 Liaise with the Departmental Training Officer on all matters related to Training within this section
• 2.3 Attend NEQAS meetings and seminars in specialist area to keep up to date with current trends and developments as required to maintain knowledge of Quality related issues
• 2.4 Attend training courses for new equipment introduced into the Designated Section as required to maintain knowledge

3. Management

• 3.1 Attend meetings, in the absence of the Section Lead BMS
• 3.2 Participate in the induction of new staff.
• 3.3 Sit on recruitment panels for less experienced staff, as required
• 3.4 Perform any other duties deemed reasonable and necessary by the Head BMS.
• 3.5 Provide cover for the Specialist BMS in other sections in their absence.
• 3.6 Participate and comment on Departmental policy and planning.
• 3.7 In the absence of the Section Lead BMS attend Senior, Laboratory and Quality Management meetings as required
• 3.8 Attend regular meetings with the Section Lead BMS (as a key member of the team) to keep abreast of relevant issues
• 3.9 Conduct annual Performance and Development Reviews with Band 5 BMS and MLA staff, if required

4 Professional

• 4.1 Maintain a professional attitude at all times.
• 4.2 Be aware of personal and professional development. Attend courses and conferences as recommended and approved.
• 4.3 Participate in own annual Performance and Development Review.
• 4.4 Comply with Trust policies.

5. Manual Handling

• 5.1 The job may entail lifting moderately heavy reagent containers.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE
Registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health Care Professions Council.

IBMS Specialist Diploma in Haematology with Hospital Transfusion Practice or equivalent knowledge and experience

Experience in all aspects of Haematology and Blood Transfusion tests and related matters as a Band 5 BMS

Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Knowledge of ISO 15189:2022 Accreditation Standard
• On-going CPD and specialist training and experience equivalent to post-graduate IBMS Specialist Diploma level
• Must be prepared to attend training courses appropriate to post.
• Must be able to supervise Band 5 BMS staff on a day-to-day basis.
• Able to demonstrate good communication skills
• Good organizational skills

Desirable

• Advanced IT skills

Qualifications
Essential

• Approved BSc Biomedical Science Degree
• HCPC Registration as Biomedical Scientist
• IBMS Specialist Diploma in Haematology with Hospital Transfusion Practice

Desirable

• IBMS Certificate of Extended Practice

Experience
Essential

• Post Registration experience of all routine analysis in Haematology and Blood Transfusion in an NHS Laboratory

Desirable

• Experience of non-routine analysis in Haematology

Other Job Requirements
Essential

• Must be willing to participate in shift work after a period of orientation and demonstration of proficiency in all routine procedures. Ability to comply with Trust Departmental Policies and Procedures
• Must pass a standard Occupational Health Check demonstrating fitness to practice
• Must be willing to work across two hospital sites

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Able to work as part of a team
• Confident to work unsupervised
• Able to provide a degree of flexibility with work patterns
• Attention to detail
• Able to work with conflicting and competing demands

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.