Biomedical Support Worker Higher Level - Genetics
Join us to make a meaningful difference to patients' lives.
If your passion is science and you want to be at the forefront of improving outcomes for patients, then there's no better place to be.
The successful candidate will need to work in a fast-paced environment, completing work at short notice and to tight deadlines. Previous laboratory experience, attention to detail, organisational qualities, personal flexibility and excellent communication skills will be required.
The post holder will be required to work 37.5 hours per week full-time and contribute to out-of-hours rotas including weekends and bank holidays as required.
As an employer, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust offers:
1. New NHS pay scales from 2024/25.
2. 27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after five years and 33 days after 10 years service) plus bank holidays and the option to buy additional days.
3. Optional defined benefit pension, with generous 20.6% employer contribution.
4. Opportunity for paid study leave (up to 5 days per year).
5. Flexible working practices supportive benefits throughout changing life circumstances, including up to 1-year parental leave, onsite nurseries, career breaks and flexible options for carers.
6. Access to health and wellbeing resources and retail discounts.
Main duties of the job
We are currently recruiting for dedicated individuals to join our growing team in the genomics central laboratory at St James's University Hospital, as Higher Level Biomedical Support Workers.
Working closely with colleagues at Leeds and across the wider North East and Yorkshire (NEY) region, you'll be responsible for the:
1. Receipt and processing of a wide range of specimens using good laboratory practice.
2. Following standard operating procedures to set up routine and complex laboratory investigations, including PCR, cell culture, FISH, Sanger sequencing and DNA fragment analysis.
3. Routine maintenance of equipment, laboratory housekeeping and quality assurance.
4. Communicating effectively with colleagues and contributing to the safe and effective running of the laboratory.
This post provides the opportunity to join a collaboration at the forefront of transforming and shaping genomics services for the future. If you like what you have read and would like to join us on our exciting journey, then we welcome your interest and application.
We welcome applications from candidates who have the relevant skills and experience to succeed. For further enquiries or a confidential discussion please contact Natalie Jaggs at n.jaggs@nhs.net.
About us
In response to NHS England's recent Strategy and Service Specification for the future of Genomics services in England, Newcastle Teaching Hospitals, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield Children's Trust and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals have formed the North East and Yorkshire Genomics Laboratory Hub; an exciting collaboration to provide services for Genomics across Yorkshire and Humber and the North. The combined size of our geography makes this the largest collaboration in the country with the Trusts offering a range of both general and specialist hospital services with excellent clinical outcomes for patients. We have an international reputation for excellence in specialist care, research and academic training.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE
1. To be responsible for training and day to day supervision of Biomedical Support Workers within the section.
2. To collect, receive and assist in the processing of clinical diagnostic specimens for testing.
3. To undertake routine and more complex clinical technical investigations, following standard operating procedures, some of which may be under supervision.
4. To communicate effectively with colleagues and other healthcare staff.
JOB DIMENSIONS
As a Biomedical Support Worker Higher Level you will work as a member of the departmental team. As part of the team, you will be expected to perform a range of routine and more complex investigations some of which may be under the supervision of more experienced scientific and technical staff. You will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute towards the provision of an accurate and timely service for patients. You will be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills to technically complex and sometimes difficult situations, and how to work, often under pressure, either independently or as part of the team. Within the team you may be required to organise the tasks of support workers. You will be required to communicate information, often related to patient management and care, to colleagues, healthcare staff and other organisations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
In order to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will have successfully studied to A-level standard, preferably in sciences or other equivalent qualification. You will develop your competencies and further your knowledge in all aspects of the speciality through practical experience, in-house training and structured study subject to the requirements of continuous professional development (CPD). In addition, basic computer skills are essential to carry out your work.
THE LEEDS WAY VALUES
Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:
1. Accountable
2. Empowered
All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values.
CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
1. To gain new knowledge through experience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes.
2. To become an integral member of a team providing a clinical technical service.
3. To work independently when and as directed by supervisors.
4. To communicate clearly and effectively whether orally, graphically or electronically.
5. To plan the designated workload and assist in the organisation of tasks undertaken by support workers.
6. To work with precision and follow accurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures.
7. To operate highly complex laboratory equipment safely and efficiently.
8. To input and extract patient data from the laboratory computer system.
9. To demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate.
10. To contribute actively towards the improvement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions with other team members.
11. To remain competent in established procedures and to develop new skills as experience is accrued.
12. To participate actively in the departmental appraisal scheme.
13. To take account of changes in service delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work.
CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
1. As the job holder you will acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to carry out a range of basic and more complex technical procedures. This will include instruction in the safe and effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. You will understand the need to report adverse events in the event of errors and failures.
2. Participate actively in departmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level of knowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels of quality have not been met.
3. Participate in the maintenance of a safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards associated with your work. In addition, you will be made aware of any suitable actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards include fire, manual handling, breach of security, controlled and uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.
4. Maintain patient confidentiality. You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information that is related to patient care.
5. Observe the requirements of departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample labelling and adverse event reporting.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
1. To perform, sometimes under supervision, appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that are consistent with the job holder's level of knowledge, skills and experience.
2. To develop your competences in the department and to perform tasks accurately and in accordance with departmental standard operating procedures.
3. To participate in departmental research and development projects, audit processes and support appropriate clinical trials involving the laboratory.
4. To enter, manage and retrieve patient information using the laboratory computer system.
5. To communicate accurately sensitive and complex information to users of the service in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures.
6. To demonstrate relevant job-related tasks to new or more junior staff.
7. To actively participate in the laboratory quality assurance programme.
8. To contribute to general departmental management, for instance, by assisting in the ordering, receipt and control of consumables.
This list is not exhaustive and the changing needs of the service from time to time may require the development of other appropriate tasks and skills. These will be fully discussed with the post holder in advance of their implementation.
The Pathology Department of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is located on several sites. Subject to consultation, the post holder may be required to work in a laboratory based at an alternative site as required by the Laboratory Manager.
In addition the Trust requires compliance with a number of corporate policies and procedures. These policies will be discussed with your line manager during your period of induction and further information is available from the Trust's intranet site.
Health and Safety/Risk Management
All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.
Infection Control
The job holder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.
Equality and Diversity
The job holder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.
Patient and Public Involvement
The Trust has a statutory duty to involve patients and public in evaluating and planning services. All staff have a responsibility to listen to the views of patients and to contribute to service improvements based on patient feedback.
Training and Personal Development Continuous Professional Development
The job holder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. The job holder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role.
Person Specification
Experience
* Previous experience of working in a laboratory.
* Knowledge of conventional IT software e.g. Microsoft Office.
* Competence in a range of complex laboratory procedures.
* Participation in relevant CPD schemes.
Skills & behaviours
* Able to work in a team.
* Able to work independently.
* Flexible approach to work.
* Good communicator and friendly attitude.
Qualifications
* A level/NVQ Level 3 preferably in science subjects.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
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