Job summary
As part of the commissioning of the Hertfordshire and West Essex (HWE) Pathology service, HSL will establish a new hub laboratory based at 7 Croxley Park, Watford. This newly developed hub laboratory will provide pathology testing across a range of disciplines including Sample Reception, Biochemistry, Haematology, Routine Coagulation, and Microbiology.
The HSL laboratory services will be supported by wider facilities including stores, courier control, general HSL offices, and a staff breakout/kitchen area, and will provide parking facilities for HSL staff and visitors. The hub laboratory is enhanced by the wider Business Park facilities which include bus access from local Watford stations, cafeteria, and on-site gym set within parkland surroundings.
The Halo, HSL's flagship suite of laboratories spread over 11 floors, is home to more than 1,000 staff working within a connected suite of laboratories. The pioneering work conducted at the Halo is seamlessly linked to our group national network of hub and spoke laboratories throughout the UK.
We combine The Doctors Laboratory's long-standing, specialist pathology expertise with the Royal Free London and UCLH's internationally recognised heritage of continual research, development, and academic excellence. We maintain rigorously high standards of quality while also delivering efficiencies to healthcare through careful workforce planning, pioneering technology, and significant investment in infrastructure and IT.
Main duties of the job
As a BMS within the department, you could find yourself working on a number of cutting-edge techniques in the daily running of the laboratory, including working in a state-of-the-art CL3 laboratory, carrying out Rapid Diagnostic Methods, attending consultant-led seminars and case studies, and working with the extensive range of samples processed at the Halo.
The Main Duties of a BMS include but are not limited to:
1. Performing Real Time PCR assays.
2. Using the BD Phoenix system for automated identification and susceptibility testing.
3. Working on the BD KIESTRA TLA and MALDI TOF systems.
4. Operating Beckman Coulter and Copan instrumentation and analysers such as SediMax, AutionMax, and EntericBio.
5. Querying specimens for microbiological investigations and carrying out laboratory testing according to defined protocols.
6. Discussing ambiguous test requests with senior scientists or clinicians and answering enquiries from health care professionals at the hospital or in the community.
Within infection sciences, staff are encouraged to bring forth their own ideas and suggestions for service improvement, and there is a strong focus on promoting a task-oriented culture aimed at supporting confidence and staff empowerment.
About us
At HSL, we offer a variety of excellent staff benefits including:
1. Training and development opportunities supporting professional development.
2. Annual performance-related salary review.
3. No banding restrictions: As we are a private company, we are not restricted by salary bandings and can negotiate appropriate salaries based on experience.
4. Discounted gym membership through a corporate gym membership scheme with Better Gyms.
5. Cash healthcare plan providing cash back on a variety of healthcare costs including dentist and opticians.
6. Sick Pay Entitlement: 5 paid days in the first year of employment, 20 days thereafter.
7. Permanent Health Insurance and Death in Service Cover.
8. Life Assurance providing salary continuation for long-term illness (six months qualifying period).
9. Employee Assistance Programme supporting staff wellbeing.
10. Season Ticket Loan Scheme offering an interest-free loan for the cost of annual travel tickets.
11. Perkbox access to additional staff perks and benefits such as high street discounts.
12. Company Pension Scheme with company and staff contributions which increase with service.
13. Competitive annual leave allowance: 28 days.
14. Flexible working hours: 37.5 hours standard working week.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This role will be based at Croxley Park, Watford, WD18 8YA; however, for the first 12-18 months, the post will be based at The Halo Building, WC1H 9AX, while preparations are made to transfer service to Croxley Park.
Investigation and analysis of patient and environmental samples by the application of microbiological, biological, serological, and gene-probe/molecular technology, utilising the most up-to-date scientific methods in conjunction with traditional methods of culture, microscopy, antigen/antibody-complex, and molecular diagnostics and MALDI-TOF for microbial ID. Undertake nucleic acid amplification technique analysis of pathogens.
The post holder will be required to work within any section of microbiology/pathology, including the high-level isolation pathology laboratory. 24/7 working, including weekends and bank holidays.
To include, but not be restricted to, the following duties:
1. Participate in all areas of laboratory benchwork, adhering to standard operating procedures.
2. Multidisciplinary working within the HLIUPL.
3. Molecular diagnostics and amplification technique analysis of pathogens including screening of Gram-negative resistance profiles.
4. Communicate patient results and answer enquiries from health care professionals.
5. Interpret clinical information and use scientific knowledge to process specimens for appropriate tests.
6. Undertake specimen preparation and analysis for bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
7. Operate and maintain analytical equipment in the department.
8. Evaluate and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations.
9. Interpret complex scientific data and enter test results on the pathology computer system.
10. Check reports for further action by the Microbiology Clinicians.
11. Authorise reports as delegated within departmental policy.
12. Replace stocks of consumables and reagents when required.
13. Assist in the preparation of documentation for UKAS (ISO) accreditation.
14. Advise clinicians and senior staff of any clinical and managerial issues.
Training and Education
1. Multidisciplinary Training as required.
2. Maintain own personal development and attend departmental meetings.
3. Maintain registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and participate in a recognised CPD scheme.
4. Take an active interest in and keep abreast of developments in the discipline.
5. Further develop junior colleagues by assisting in their training.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
* Theoretical and practical knowledge in all disciplines of pathology relevant to its multidisciplinary nature.
* Previous experience in a relevant laboratory, and proficiency in techniques appropriate to the discipline.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
* Work accurately, neatly, and efficiently.
* Attention to detail is very important.
* Work as part of a team.
* Keyboard skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.
* Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
* Work on own initiative.
* Communicate efficiently with other members of the laboratory in English both verbally and in writing.
* Use of laboratory equipment relevant to the specialty.
* Demonstrate experience of working to a laboratory Quality Management System.
Qualifications
Essential
* BSc / MSc or equivalent.
* IBMS / ACB Portfolio / FRC Path.
* Registration with HCPC.
* Registered with the IBMS or ACB CPD scheme.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. #J-18808-Ljbffr