Job summary

We are pleased to be offering the opportunity for a dynamic HCPC Registered Band 7 Higher Specialist / Team Leader Biomedical Scientist to join our Biochemistry Team on a 9 month maternity secondment. The Biochemistry department at Nottingham University Hospitals comprises of routine and specialist services, with two large laboratories supporting both local and regional services.

With a passion for Biochemistry you will be an experienced Biomedical Scientist who will join our team at an exciting time of change and modernisation. The post will be within the automated Biochemistry section, you will play an essential role in shaping the future of our Biochemistry service.

You must be a HCPC registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist with 2 years' experience following completion of an IBMS Specialist portfolio in Clinical Biochemistry, or equivalent. Experience working at Band 6 BMS level in an automated Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory would be an advantage.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an enthusiastic, friendly and well-motivated individual who is a good team player. You will be expected to work flexibly within the automated section of Clinical Biochemistry, ensuring provision of a 24 / 7 shift roster across Nottingham City Hospital and Queens Medical Centre.

Bringing with you significant technical knowledge in biochemistry, you will lead and manage a team of qualified and support staff, working as a team to ensure effective staffing and planning is in place, facilitating programmes of training and development across Biochemistry.

Working under the leadership of a Deputy Service Manager, the higher specialist biomedical scientist (team leader) role is critical to the successful operations of the service. The role encompasses management of a team within a particular area of the service, which will require specialist knowledge pertaining to that area. In particular the role is designed to fulfil the following functions:

To organise the day to day operational management of a section of the laboratory ensuring optimal performance of equipment, materials and staff. To provide professional leadership and line management for the staff of the section, to include work planning and rosters, training and mentoring, performance management and other HR issues Provide appropriate specialist advice on technical and scientific issues within the post holder's area of expertise to the Deputy Service Manager / Service Manager.

About us

Every day, our teams at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) make a difference. We save lives, we improve lives and we usher in new life. We are proud to play a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of people in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and our surrounding communities.

With more than 19,000 colleagues, we are the largest employer in Nottinghamshire and one of the biggest and busiest NHS Trusts in the country, serving more than residents of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and a further four million people across the East Midlands and beyond.

We provide a range of national and internationally renowned specialist services and we are at the forefront of new surgical procedures and research programmes. We are home to the East Midlands Major Trauma Centre, the Nottingham Children's Hospital and in partnership with the University of Nottingham we host a Biomedical Research Centre carrying out vital research into hearing, digestive diseases, respiratory, musculoskeletal disease, mental health and imaging.

NUH NHS Trust is a large, teaching hospital comprising two sites, the Queens Medical Centre and the City Hospital. Biomedical Scientists work in laboratories at both sites on a rotational basis. The Biochemistry team contributes to the development of laboratory services which are patient focussed. The Biochemistry laboratory is also an IBMS accredited training provider.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Leadership / Management

Lead / manage the section to achieve the operational goals and requirements of the service

Act as line manager for the Biomedical Scientist and support staff within the section, leading and motivating the team to optimal performance

Review and improve staff capability, performance, knowledge and skills, which will include staff appraisal and sickness absence management.

Assess and where appropriate provide training of staff in section, taking actions to ensure competency levels are adequate.

Contribute to the future planning and organisation of the service by reporting issues, problems and trends to senior management.

Communicate effectively with team members, service management and external users of the service on clinical, scientific and technical matters.

Participate in the recruitment and selection process for the department.

In conjunction with other team leaders, contribute to the overall strategic development of the service

Clinical / Scientific / Technical

Supervise and participate in the examination of clinical specimens in accordance with laboratory policies and procedures, including interpretation of results, in an efficient, effective and safe manner.

Provide advice and interpretation of laboratory investigations to healthcare professionals as required or for referral to specialist medical and scientific for clincal advice

Ensure appropriate records and documentation of specimens examined are maintained and ensure laboratory reports are accurate and timely

Supervise and where appropriate, perform the operation of departmental equipment including calibration, control and routine maintenance.

Troubleshoot problems arising with equipment and processes ensuring the implementation of backup procedures to ensure service continuity

Resolve immediate analytical problems and perform repairs to equipment where appropriate, and liaise with manufacturers where repairs cannot be completed in house.

Where appropriate, perform the more complex analytical work of the assigned section.

Produce, implement and maintain Standard Operating Procedures as required.

Maintain expertise and awareness of current technological and scientific developments in relevant aspects of the discipline.

Develop, evaluate and implement new equipment and procedures within the department.

Monitor internal and external quality control results, taking appropriate action to identify and correct problems. To report problems to more senior staff as appropriate.

Ensure adequate levels of consumable supplies and other items required by the section are maintained using the appropriate procedures

Employ specialist knowledge and technical skills to perform complex analytical techniques and procedures

Supervise and perform the development of laboratory Standard Operating Procedures and carry out regular planned audit and review of SOPs, COSHH assessments and workplace risk assessments.

Be responsible for effective stock management of reagents and consumables, ordering and authorising payments for supplies and services up to the departmental agreed limits.

Work in close liaison with others within service to show leadership in order to ensure that other service sections work in a safe, efficient and effective manner.

Service Delivery & Development

Continually review performance against KPIs, proactively addressing areas of concern

Undertake relevant research both internal and with other NHS and educational organisations to assist with learning, teaching and service development

Participate in clinical trials as appropriate and beneficial to service development and provision

Ensure the successful delivery of cost effectiveness of service implementing changes and improvements

General

To participate in the provision of a reliable high quality analytical service that meets nationally accepted standards (ISO15189 or equivalent).

Participate in clinical audit and clinical governance.

To deputise for the Deputy Service Manager as required and perform any other duties covered by the post holders competencies after consultation and agreement with the line manager.

Assist the Quality Lead with the continuous improvement of the Quality Management System

Assist in the provision an out of hours service, where required.

Professional

Be personally responsible for obtaining and maintaining HCPC state registration.

Take all necessary measures to keep up to date with CPD in the discipline. This will include the reading of medical and scientific journals and attendance and participation in courses, seminars and scientific meetings (local, regional and national) as required.

Be able to work independently and manage own workload working to local and national standards within the HCPC profesional code of conduct

Be responsible for ensuring that consistently high standards of customer service are delivered.

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential

State Registered BMS (HCPC); has completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio or Equivalent MSc or equivalent postgraduate qualification Management qualification or relevant equivalent experience & short courses

Desirable

IBMS membership Other relevant qualifications or knowledge gained through short courses

Experience

Essential

Up to date knowledge of the technical processes used within the discipline Ability to demonstrate good team-building and leadership skills Be responsive to problems and have ability to meet deadlines Can demonstrate successful team management and development Significant post registration experience with demonstration of skill at specialist level

Desirable

Demonstrates knowledge of advanced techniques or instrumentation An awareness of NHS financial and administrative systems

Communication, planning & organisation skills, physical skills

Essential

Demonstrates interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate concisely, effectively and clearly at all levels Demonstrates ability to carry out staff planning for a section or specific team Demonstrates highly developed physical skills including eye to hand coordination Demonstrates ability to maintain concentration for prolonged periods at various tasks Able to participate in out of hours roster or other flexible working arrangements

Desirable

Demonstrates a range of IT skills