Senior Biomedical Scientist - Quality lead

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Quality management

• Review and maintain the mycology reference laboratory section of the Quality Manual and supporting documentation, for Infection Sciences
• Ensure laboratory Policies and Procedures reflect current practice and are reviewed as stated within the policies of the QMS
• Investigate result and service complaints and incidents and ensure that effective immediate and follow up actions are taken and fully documented
• Initiate and supervise a program of internal audits against defined quality performance measures, ensuring that effective immediate and follow up actions are taken
• Follow up on external assessments/inspections, correspond with accreditation agencies and verify the completion of corrective action as required by the reports of the inspectors
• Investigate, by performing user surveys and other feedback mechanisms, the requirements and responses of Laboratory’s users and ensure that they are reflected within defined quality performance measures
• Attend regular Laboratory Quality Meetings and the Annual Management Review
• Provide reports and collate information regularly for Quality, departmental meetings and the Annual Management Review
• Develop and maintain effective communication on all quality issues both within the laboratory and with the users of the service
• Monitor and report on the performance of internal and external quality assessment schemes in the Laboratory. To investigate any failures in QA schemes and where necessary implement procedures to improve performance
• Ensure compliance with HCPC, GMC, and other relevant standards
• Participate in laboratory management meetings, assisting with decision making and policy implementation
• Ensure and co-ordinate the review, of relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), policies and procedures
• Issue and maintain all relevant documentation within the QMS (including SOPs, Policies, Procedures, Manuals and supporting documentation e.g. forms)
• Assist with the management of equipment records, including servicing and maintenance arrangements

Clinical governance

• Assist with ensuring ongoing compliance with Clinical Governance (UK HSA, NBT and wider)

Risk management and adverse incident reporting

• In conjunction with the Safety Officer/Leads ensure risk assessments are performed and documented appropriately.
• Ensure adverse incidents are reported, recorded and appropriate actions taken including, where necessary, changes in Standard Operating Procedures
• Ensure adverse incidents are reported on the UK HSA/NBT electronic reporting systems
• Co-operate with UK HSA and NBT Risk Management arrangements and to liaise with other local Trusts, MHRA and other relevant agencies and outside companies regarding risk assessment, adverse incidents and clinical governance

Technical

• Participate, where appropriate, in the induction of staff
• Train other members of staff in quality, modules of the laboratory training plan or other aspects of Biomedical Science as agreed with the Mycology Laboratory Manager
• Maintain technical expertise and competence by regular updates, CPD etc., and by undertaking suitable duties, where necessary and agreed, and commensurate with grade.
• Conduct, interpret and technically validate routine, reference, and specialist diagnostic test results, in accordance with departmental guidelines.
• Participate where appropriate in the maintenance and distribution of cultures from the National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi

Health & safety

• To ensure that staff are observing safety procedures and precautions
• To ensure that Laboratory safety policies and risk assessments are observed
• To ensure safety procedures are adhered to during seminars, lectures, demonstrations or classes in the laboratory
• To contribute to local safety committee meetings
• To ensure that work on all samples is performed at the appropriate Containment level

Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co-operate with the UKHSA/NBT on any matters of health and safety.

Information technology

• To develop, maintain and support the management of the electronic quality management system
• To ensure a sound knowledge of the laboratory IT system

Financial & business management

• To assist in the sourcing consumables and equipment with regard to quality and economic value
• To assist in the maintenance of the Estate with special regard to staff safety and new developments
• To be responsible for the maintenance of equipment and consumables in the area of responsibility

Professional development 

• You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, whilst maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements

Technical

Participate in the induction and training of staff. Conduct, interpret and technically validate routine, reference, and specialist diagnostic test results, in accordance with departmental guidelines

Participate where appropriate in the maintenance and distribution of cultures from the National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi

Role Criteria and Other Requirements 

Essential role criteria (including qualifications, licenses and registrations): 

• Biomedical Science (BMS) degree or equivalent academic achievement ratified by the IBMS 
• State registration with Health Professions Council (HCPC) 
• MSc or higher qualification in an appropriate medical/microbiology/biological science
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) 
• Evidence of post-registration speciality training, in accordance with IBMS guidelines or equivalent 
• Significant postgraduate experience in medical/microbiology/biological science within a laboratory.
• Significant practical experience in medical/microbiology/biological science within a laboratory.
• A high level of theoretical and practical Mycology knowledge 
• Competency in fungal culture and a wide range of serological and molecular techniques 
• The ability to manage staff and complex issues within the laboratory 
• Knowledge and experience of Infection Sciences LIMS implementation, training delivery and client side interface 
• Knowledge of common IT programmes and good keyboard skills 
• Understands quality assurance procedures and technically adept at laboratory procedures 
• Good interpretative skills at bench level 
• Able to provide judgement on a range of complex problems 
• Communicate complex and sensitive information with peers and senior staff 

Selection Process Details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift 

You will be required to complete an: 

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)  
• 1,500 word supporting statement    

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1,500 but your supporting statement must be no more than 1,500 words

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role 

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together

Longlisting

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of: 

• Meets all essential criteria  
• Meets some essential criteria  
• Meets no essential criteria  

The following will be taken through the next stage: Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• State registration with Health Professions Council (HCPC) 

Stage 2: Interview (competency based) 

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. 

Eligibility Criteria – External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants)   

Location 

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our site in Bristol

If based at one of our labs, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Salary Information

NHS Pension

This role is offered under Agenda for Change (AFC) Terms and Conditions.

• If you are already on AFC T&Cs or accept the role on a fixed-term contract, you will be enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme or keep your current AFC Pension.
• If you take the role on a loan or temporary promotion, you will retain your existing substantive T&Cs.

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms

Security Clearance Level Requirement  

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check and must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is:

• Basic Personnel Security Standard
• Counter-terrorist Check