Knowledge, Skills & Experience- Postgraduate qualification in Medical Microbiology or Virology, equivalent to MSc level or FIBMS - Registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) - Substantial experience of working as a Specialist BMS in Microbiology or Virology, including significant periods of working in a clinical virology or molecular department - Specialist training, qualifications and experience in the relevant section(s) - IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Medical Microbiology or Virology, or equivalent experience Technical Roles - To be able to work competently in the virology section, taking overall day-to-day responsibility for the service provided - To maintain a high standard of professional competence and current knowledge of the relevant tests and service, maintaining evidence of continuing professional development - To act as a source of specialist virology advice, providing advice to users and departmental staff where needed - To communicate with users and external stakeholders when needed to ensure quality of service is maintained - To use specialist knowledge to determine the relevant tests to be carried out on samples - To use specialist knowledge in the interpretation of test results and allocation of confirmation or identification tests - To ensure all new equipment and tests are appropriately verified or validated before use on clinical samples - To participate in the procurement of equipment, reagents and consumables relevant to the virology section - To authorise results relevant to the virology section - To ensure the safe handling and reception of samples (including those designated as high-risk) - To ensure all work conforms to the procedures set out in laboratory polices and SOPs - To ensure all work conforms to the standards required by ISO15189 accreditation - To prioritise work, taking into account workload and stated urgency of requests - To be able to use and troubleshoot the equipment used in the section, including providing training on its use - To ensure clinically significant results are notified to the user or Consultant Microbiologist as appropriate, including the telephoning of urgent results directly to users - To notify users of potential delays in reporting results that may impact on patient treatment - To report issues relating to the laboratory environment or building fabric directly to Estates or to the Laboratory Manager, as appropriate - To ensure all quality control tests are performed as required, and to prevent results being reported if QC results indicate a potential performance problem with a test. - To ensure all EQA samples are processed and reported according to laboratory protocols - To compile and communicate a monthly EQA summary report for the section - To ensure stocks of reagents and consumables are used efficiently and without unnecessary wastage. - To liaise with technical and sales staff of relevant suppliers - To undertake or participate in research activities relating to the section Supervisory Duties - To ensure all safety procedures are followed within the laboratory - To be responsible for staff and work allocation within the section - To approve annual leave requests for staff - To investigate Datix / NCR incidents - To record sickness absence and conduct return-to-work interviews - To undertake induction for new staff - To undertake initial discussions with staff regarding poor or below-standard performance in the relevant section(s), referring to the Laboratory Manager where required - To liaise with other senior staff to ensure all sections in the laboratory are adequately covered - To undertake staff appraisals and produce personal development plans for assigned staff - To participate in the recruitment, selection and training of new staff - To be a member of the Senior Staff Management committee and relevant SOP groups - To deputise for the Lab Manager or Deputy Lab Manager, as required - To represent the department in external meetings or conferences as required - To ensure all relevant SOPs, work instructions and bench guides are managed in accordance with the document control policy - To complete risk assessments and COSHH assessments for the virology section - To participate in the departmental audit programme, undertaking audits as required - To collate epidemiology data and produce reports, where required - To participate in the selection and approval of reference laboratories - To participate in the departmental competency programme, undertaking competency assessments for the section