Detailed job description and main responsibilities

·       The post holder will act as a Registered Biomedical Scientist (BMS) using the Departmental SOPs and Protocols throughout all sections of the department

·       The post holder will be required to work at any of the laboratory sites within the Trust as and when required.

·       The work may include some weekend, bank holiday and evening or night duties, which requires a flexible approach to the hours of employment, according to individual contract.

·       Analyses potentially infectious samples using a range of highly specialised laboratory procedures, by either manual or automated techniques, to produce results of a quality consistent with excellent patient care. Undertakes these duties in all areas of the Department.

·       Ensures efficient use and maintenance of resources, is aware of stock levels and rotation, storage conditions, batch numbers and expiry dates, thus ensuring the viability of the reagents and/or blood products used.

·       Exercises own initiative and works in co-operation with other staff members to ensure that the workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner.

·       Is fully conversant with departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), within area of competence, ensuring that personal performance complies with ISO 15189-2022 and other professional standards.

·       Carries out troubleshooting and preventative maintenance on highly complex automated systems. Ensures appropriate records are kept and liaises with senior staff and service engineers where appropriate.

·       Matches samples with request forms and inputs patient and test information into the laboratory computer system, requiring complete accuracy.

·       Exercises individual skills through the observation and interpretation of clinical material or data, which may include therapeutic drug monitoring.

• Practices in accordance with the professional, ethical and legal codes of the Health Professions Council and the Trust’s protocols and guidelines. Is accountable for own practice and maintenance of Registration status.
• Develops own skills, taking responsibility for Continuing Professional Development and performance.
• Complies with the requirements of internal and external/national quality assurance schemes along with internal requirements for audits and competence assessment to meet national quality standards.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the assessment, planning and prioritisation of tasks.
• Communicates effectively with other staff groups, both internal and external. To include healthcare professionals, patients and their representatives, external agencies, commercial suppliers, service engineers and visitors to the laboratory.
• Provides and receives complex scientific and clinical information to and from colleagues and service users. Is aware of barriers to understanding and is able to present information accordingly.
• Provides and receives sensitive information to and from patients and their representatives where empathic and re-assurance skills are required. May include notification of adverse events.
• Displays and maintains an appropriate level of IT skills.

·       Participates in the supervision and training of Trainee BMSs, support staff and clinical staff where required

·       Proactive in creating a training ethos for all staff

·       Proactive in gaining knowledge and understanding in line with departmental in-house training manuals or other qualifications

·       In this role, once competence and training have been provided, you will take on a supervisory role with responsibility for new staff, visitors, work experience students and clinical colleagues.

·       Act as a mentor / buddy to less experienced staff of all grades

·       Uses own initiative to prioritise urgent work to ensure efficient running of service

• Demonstrates excellent personal communication and team working skills.
• Complies with the requirement to practice within data protection and confidentiality guidelines.
• Works towards gaining competence and ability to work individually and unsupervised to a level required for lone working as required for ‘shift’ working and / or on call
• Works to ensure that performance targets and sample turnaround times are met by continually assessing quality and priority of work.
• Has awareness of the requirements of Clinical Governance, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and local Health and Safety Policies, reporting problems, errors or breaches via the appropriate mechanisms.
• Works to ensure compliance with ISO 15189:2022
• Works to ensure that departmental performance targets are met by continually assessing priority of work.
• Attends departmental and Trust-wide staff meetings as appropriate.
• Attends regular appraisal, maintains competence levels within the Department and assists in own personal and professional development
• Maintains good work relations with all members of staff and to promote effective team working.
• Treats everyone associated with the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with courtesy and respect.
• Demonstrates and promotes the OUH NHSFT core values and behaviours

·       To be aware of the inherent risks of the work and to take appropriate precautions at all times, reporting to the Head Biomedical Scientist or Safety Officer any potential hazards.

·       Abide by current policies and procedures defined by the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and/or the Pathology Risk Management Team and to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act.

·       Maintains quality assurance and compliance with the departmental Quality Manual and ISO 15189.

·       Any matters of a confidential nature, including information relating to the diagnosis and treatment of patients, individual staff records must, under no circumstances, be divulged to any unauthorised person or persons.

·       Demonstrates and promotes the OUH NHSFT core values and behaviours