Important Job Application Information
Thank you for your interest in NHS Tayside vacancies
Please see below Job Description/Specification and General Conditions of Service
Your Application Form must be completed in full. Please note copies of
Curriculum Vitae, Qualifications and Course Certificates will not be accepted at
this stage.
Please return your completed Application Form to recruitment.tayside@nhs.net
(quoting the vacancy reference number in the subject box) or to the postal
address given on the General Conditions of Service.
All completed applications are held in Human Resources until the closing date.
After the closing date a panel will meet to prepare an interview shortlist. Once
this decision has been made, all shortlisted applicants will be emailed to invite
them to attend for interview. It is important that you check your emails regularly.
This process takes approximately 6 weeks. Therefore, if you have not been
contacted regarding interview within 6 weeks of the closing date, your application
has been unsuccessful and you will receive no further correspondence from
Human Resources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Find out more about living and working in Tayside at:
www.dundeecity.gov.uk
www.angus.gov.uk
www.pkc.gov.uk
NHS TAYSIDE DEPARTMENT OF BLOOD SCIENCES
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title
Specialist Biomedical Scientist
Department(s)/Location
Department of Blood Sciences
Number of job holders
39
JOB PURPOSE
The post holder works within a multi-professional team and within the Quality Management
Systems of the Department of Blood Sciences and is responsible for processing a broad
range of complex, specialist laboratory investigations to facilitate and inform clinical decision
making in the diagnosis and management of patients. The post holder is required to carry out
the scientific and analytical work of the Department in a competent, safe, efficient and
effective manner in order to provide quality assured laboratory data to clinical colleagues.
He/she may also be required to provide specialist advice to clinicians to aid the diagnosis,
treatment and monitoring of patients. He/she also participates in training, audit, quality control
and risk assessment in the support of the Quality Management Systems in the department.
SCOPE AND RANGE
The Blood Sciences Department provides a 24/7 high quality, analytical, interpretive and
advisory diagnostic service, mainly to NHS Tayside Acute and Primary Care Divisions but also
to North Fife and South Grampian. The Department operates on two sites 20 miles apart with
the main laboratory facility being at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and with a multi-disciplinary
laboratory at Perth Royal Infirmary. The Department is accredited to ISO 15189 standards by
Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd.
205 professional and support staff in the Department of Blood Sciences deliver clinical
laboratory services for Biochemical Medicine, Haematology and Blood Transfusion (PRI only),
Immunology, Virology (core automated) and Phlebotomy services.
The annual workload of the Department is 1,000,000 patient requests comprising 6,500,000
tests per annum at two sites. The workload is rising at approximately 5% per annum and the
repertoire is continually expanding. The annual budget £7.7 million comprising £5.5 million
staffing and £2.2 million reagents, consumables, equipment and services. The Department
offers its services 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The service delivered encompasses
requests from sources delivering elderly, adult, paediatric and neonatal healthcare across a
very broad range of clinical specialties. The Department is also a specialist referral centre for
a range of analytes serving a national catchment area and supports extensive Point of Care
Testing services. A significant volume of work associated with service, academic and
commercial research and development is undertaken by the Department.
Department Structure
Clinical Director for Diagnostics
Group
Clinical Lead for
Biochemical Medicine
Consultant Clinical Scientist
Principal Clinical Scientist
Senior Clinical Scientists
Lead Quality Manager
Diagnostics Group
Clinical Services
Manager
Clinical Lead for
Haematology
Clinical Lead for
Immunology
Principal clinical
Scientist
Clinical Scientist B
Quality Management
Team
Phlebotomy Manager
Blood Sciences Core
Lab Service Manager
Pre- Analytical Services
Manager
Blood Sciences Core Lab
Assoc Service Manager
Blood Sciences Clinical
Laboratory Manager
Phlebotomy Supervisor
& phlebotomists
Pre- Analytical Services
Supervisor, Reception staff,
Medical Laboratory Assistants
& Data Input Officers
Senior Biomedical
Scientists
Blood Sciences Assoc
Service Manager
Blood Sciences IT
Manager
& IT Support Officer
Blood Sciences
Specialist Lab Service
Manager
Blood Sciences Assoc
Service Manager
Specialist Biomedical
Scientists
& Biomedical Scientists
Associate Practitioners
Blood Sciences Assoc
Service Manager
Health & Safety Officer
Lead Training Officer
Medical Laboratory
Assistants
Training Officer
MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Health Professions Council (HPC) registered Biomedical Scientists the post holder is
required to take responsibility for their own work, under the supervision of a Senior
Biomedical Scientist and or the management of an Associate Services Manager.
Professional and Scientific
The postholder will:
1. Comply with NHS Tayside and Blood Sciences operational and management policies and
procedures, update and amend Blood Sciences policies as required:
a. All Standard Operating Procedures.
b. Quality Management policies
c. External Quality Assessment and internal Quality Control procedures.
d. Health & Safety, COSHH and Risk Management procedures
e. Patient confidentiality policies and current data protection legislation.
2. Perform all of the complex, specialised analytical work within a range of laboratory
investigations to a consistent and expert standard of competence, in both the routine and
urgent context. The range of laboratory investigations transcend the traditional discipline
specific boundaries of Biochemical Medicine, Haematology and Immunology and core
automated Virology with Blood Transfusion at PRI only.
3. Maintain and apply theoretical knowledge and practical competency in all aspects of:
 the pre-analytical procedures of the analytical process in Blood Sciences
 the analytical phase of the analytical process
 the post analytical phase of the analytical process including the management of
specimens and aliquots of specimens in storage the Department IT systems and
architecture to carry out the analytical work and data handling of the Department.
4. Contribute expert knowledge and experience to the service development of all aspects of
the processes in which the postholder works, to meet the changing needs of the Service.
5. Assist in the management of stocks of reagents and consumable items by regular
monitoring of stock levels, by identifying requirements and reporting deficiencies of stocks
to senior staff and by ensuring stock rotation.
6. Keep up to date with changes in laboratory practice, scientific and technical
developments.
7. Actively participate in section and department reviews and meetings.
8. Practice in accordance with the Health Professions Council Codes of Conduct, Standards
and Ethics.
9. Maintain registration with the Health Professions Council and evidence of continuing
professional development in support of this
10. Prioritise and manage workload to achieve the required turnaround times for the relevant
category or type of sample.
11. Participate in the delivery of Point of Care services including working single handedly in
clinics e.g. One stop diabetes, haematology and anticoagulation clinics.
12. Participate in the evaluation and introduction of new techniques and equipment.
13. Organise the referral of specialist tests to reference centre laboratories.
14. On attaining appropriate competences the postholder will join the roster for the Out of
Hours sessions which will include some weekend and evening or night duties and
requires a flexible approach to the hours of work.
Technical
1. Perform maintenance on equipment for use by self and others in accordance with
schedules.
2. Perform first line diagnostic troubleshooting and report persistent/complex faults through
the line management structure to the Clinical Laboratory Manager for Blood Sciences.
3. Perform quality control and quality assurance procedures on instruments in accordance
with schedules. Analyse and interpret the data in order to validate the procedures as
performing within acceptable limits and take appropriate remedial action, when required
4. Undertake regular LIS housekeeping to identify and resolve unreported results and
ensure turnaround times are met.
Clinical
1. Assess and interpret laboratory results, flags and error messages for technical validation.
2. Take appropriate follow up actions in accordance with laboratory policies and procedures,
e.g. evaluation of results with regard to reference parameters and take remedial action in
the case of results exceeding critical limits, abnormal, spurious or equivocal results. This
may require repeat or additional testing.
3. Review and evaluate laboratory data in the light of the patient’s condition and add
technical or approved pre-defined clinically relevant comments as appropriate. Clinically
authorise the release of these results into electronic patient notes, or order relevant
follow-up procedures.
4. May perform microscope based interpretive blood film review, authorise reports and make
decisions concerning referral for clinical opinion.
5. Refer complex results for clinical interpretation or opinion and inform the requestor of
clinically significant and/or urgent results.
6. Provide advice and information to service users within the scope of practice of a
Biomedical Scientist
Quality
1. Perform appropriate quality control procedures, first line maintenance, repair and
technical fault finding on analysers, for own use and for other staff to operate.
2. Understand and interpret QC data and take corrective action when necessary.
3. Participate in investigation of incidents as required by the Quality Manager and the
Associate Service Manager.
4. Log equipment downtime and quality deviations and escalate persistent problems to the
senior staff.
5. Participate in the production and review of Standard Operating Procedures and propose
changes and amendments within area of specialty.
6. Participate in the annual audit plan and conduct audits in Blood Sciences, record the
audit and report to Quality Manager.
Training, Education and Professional Development.
1. Maintain competence in all areas of practice and participate in regular competence
assessment in accordance with the Department Training policies.
2. Maintain an up to date training log
3. Participate in Personal Development Review and highlight training requirements and
personal development objectives for discussion.
4. Undertake and establish evidence of own continuing professional development in order to
maintain mandatory HPC registration
5. Mentor less experienced scientists and participate in the training of trainees, support staff,
new staff and student placements as required by the senior staff.
6. May train in all areas of the Blood Sciences laboratory and service in accordance with
service delivery needs.
Health and Safety and Security
1. Comply with National, Tayside and department Health and Safety policies, procedures
and regulations, e.g. health and safety policies, Control of Substances Hazardous to
Health, risk assessment, and manual handling.
2. Ensure the safe handling, use and disposal of biological samples such as blood and urine
and hazardous chemicals on a daily basis.
3. Participate in mandatory heath, safety and security training.
4. Maintain competence in the safe handling of spillages of biohazardous material and
broken sample containers.
5. Maintain a safe working environment for all members of staff and visitors.
6. Maintain awareness of the dangerous pathogens advisory groups classification, the rules
and regulations for containment and the safe handling of high risk samples.
7. Participate in the assessment and documentation of risk, including General Risk
Assessments, COSHH Assessments, DSE Assessments and performing regular Health
and Safety checks.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Research and Development
Participate in the evaluation and implementation of new equipment and analytical
procedures.
Participate in the processing of clinical trial samples on daily basis.
Participate in the production of reports for internal and external audit.
Keep up to date on the scientific, technical and theoretical developments in the
laboratory field.
COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will :
1. be accountable to the Clinical Laboratory Manager in Blood Sciences through the line
management structure.
2. contribute to decision making and problem solving in the maintenance and
development of the Service through communicating and discussing complex
scientific, technical and medical related information internally with scientists, support
staff, medical staff and admin and clerical staff.
3. facilitate and contribute to effective communication within the Department by
participating in meetings and maintaining awareness of relevant information through
accessing meeting minutes, NHS Tayside Intranet, e-mail and other forms of
electronic and non electronic communication.
4. communicate with the senior staff and Training Officers in relationship to
competence, personal development plans and the knowledge and skills framework.
5. co-operate in cross-discipline areas within laboratory services.
6. receive information from senior laboratory staff, clinicians and other users. The
content of the information will vary from routine to highly complex requiring
interpretation, analysis and further action.
7. notify appropriate staff of clinically significant results or results outwith critical
values as laid down in Standard Operating Procedures.
8. deal with enquiries from all sources, providing advice and recommending further
actions, as required and within competence. Using professional judgement, when
required the post holder will direct enquiries to senior scientists and medical staff.
9. communicate as required with other staff groups external to the Department
including all grades of ward and GP based staff, medical staff, nursing staff,
clerical staff, porters, estates staff and drivers.
10. communicate non-conformities identified or system malfunctions to senior scientist
staff and/or the Departmental Quality Manager, as appropriate.
11. communicate with the professional body the Institute of Biomedical Science and
the Health Professions Council for areas of professional issues and CPD.
KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
1. Accredited BSc Honours degree in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
2. Current registration with the Health Professions Council
3. IBMS Post Graduate Specialist Diploma in Biomedical Science or equivalent experience
as a HPC registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist
4. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
5. Completion of the full Knowledge and Skills Framework post outline for Specialist
Biomedical Scientists.
6. Specialist theoretical knowledge of a wide range of clinical conditions and their effect on
analytical parameters.
7. Knowledge of non-clinical factors and their effect on analytical performance and practical
experience in analytical processes and their clinical application in laboratory medicine.
8. Training and proven competence in the use of automated analysers, semi-automated
analysers and manual techniques including demonstrated competence in sample
handling.
9. Knowledge, skills and experience in the application of quality management procedures
including quality control, assessment and assurance techniques, audit, risk management
and incident reporting.
10. Knowledge, skills and experience in the application of laboratory IT systems. Knowledge
of Health and Safety as relevant to working in a healthcare laboratory environment and
proven skills and experience in applying this knowledge.
11.
SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
Responsible for the standard operating procedures, quality control, maintenance and
troubleshooting of faults and the safe use of a wide range of highly specialised equipment
including:
 Fully automated analysers for FBC, coagulation, blood transfusion, biochemistry and
immunoassay systems including the pre-analytical equipment
 Semi-automated and specialist analysers and equipment i.e. plasma viscometer, blood
gas, allergy, point of care analysers, osmometer, spectrophotometer, electrophoresis,
chromatography systems, aggregometers, ELISA, flow cytometry, microscopes,
deionisers/water purifiers.
The post holder will provide specialist expertise in the use and application of
 Networked laboratory computer system.
 Network test requesting software, patient administration systems i.e. CHI 24
 Independent software e.g. LOCATE, Q pulse, MONITOR, PSM, Cobas Integrated
Management system,
 E-mail and various word processing packages
RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECORDS MANAGEMENT
All records created in the course of the business of NHS Tayside are corporate records and
are public records under the terms of the Public Records (Scotland) Act 1937. This includes
email messages and other electronic records. It is your responsibility to ensure that you keep
appropriate records of your work in NHS Tayside and manage those records in keeping with
the NHS Tayside Records Management Policy and with any guidance produced by NHS
Tayside specific to your employment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Physical Effort
1. Sitting for extended periods of time at laboratory computers for up to 3 hours per session
daily.
2. Sitting for extended periods of time in a confined position for microscopic examination of
blood films for up to 2 hours per session daily.
3. Manual handling of analyser reagents, stock items and, safe disposal of old samples.
4. Standing in a stooped position whilst taking finger prick blood samples for up to 2 hours
per day
5. Standing for up to 3 hours at a time working at the bench or in the Out Patients clinic
6. May require to move large gas cylinders and to change cylinder regulators
Physical Skills
1. Use of microscopes requiring fine tuned manual dexterity.
2. Accurate hand-eye coordination in a variety of scientific techniques e.g. microscopy,
pippetting, finger prick techniques, PC/keyboard skills, manual analysis of samples and
ELISA.
3. Fine tuning/adjustment and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment.
4. manual manipulation of very small volumes of sample, particularly from neonates
5. good keyboard skills
Mental Demands
1. Frequent periods of sustained concentration when validating results, reporting films,
monitoring work processes and data entry for up to 3 hours per session, daily.
2. Sustained periods of attention to detail in correct patient data entry and specimen
analysis for up to 3 hours per session daily
3. Decision making on the basis of results and clinical information for validation or referral.
4. Maintaining a constant service in the presence of possible adverse effects, including
equipment failure, short staffing.
5. Required to multi-task on the coordination of some tests, prioritise work load and deal
with interruptions such as telephone enquiries.
6. Continuous awareness of the risks involved in the handling of specimens and maintaining
safe laboratory practice
7. Work patterns can be unpredictable and subject to interruptions.
Emotional Demands
1. Dealing with patients in a sensitive and professional manner who may occasionally be
distressed or in some discomfort on a weekly basis.
2. Working under pressure to ensure all clinical specimens are correctly examined within
established turnaround times in the knowledge that incorrect and delayed results directly
affect the patient and their management.
3. Working in a very stressful environment when the analytical systems or IT systems fail.
Working Conditions
1. Daily exposure to potentially infectious blood samples
2. Daily exposure to a variety of hazardous chemicals with poison, corrosive and flammable
risks.
3. Frequent use of Display Screen Equipment.
4. Some situations demand Lone Working with no immediate support from colleagues (e.g.
at clinics and out of core hours).
DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
The post holder :
1. Operates within all relevant NHS Tayside and Department procedures and own scope of
practice.
2. Works within a managed team, without direct supervision and with a considerable degree
of autonomy to take professional responsibility for his/her own workload. Will refer
unusual results or complex situations to senior staff if confronted with a situation outwith
own scope of practice
3. Prioritises and organises own workload in coordination with other team members and as
allocated by senior staff.
4. Uses own judgement to solve problems in day to day work, such as identifying and
dealing appropriately with spurious results, troubleshooting of methodological and
analyser problems, lost samples or results and dealing with telephone enquiries.
5. Assesses sample/ patient identification integrity for analysis
6. Selects tests on basis of clinical information and makes decisions on additional tests
based on initial results.
7. Assesses the fitness for purpose of reagents and test materials in use.
8. Makes decisions on the acceptance/rejection of the quality of own and other qualified
practitioners work.
9. Interprets complex diagnostic test results and features on blood films
10. Validates results, makes clinical comments on reports, refers results to clinicians
according to department criteria.
11. Deals with technical queries from trainees, newly qualified staff and support staff.
12. May be required to deputise and make decisions on behalf of senior staff.
13. Contributes own views to the evaluation of new instrumentation or techniques
MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
1.
2.
3.
4.
Maintaining a high level of accuracy, precision and safety in the process of sample handling and testing.
Prioritisation of "Fast Track" (urgent) requests, particularly when lone working out of hours.
Dealing with difficult patients.
Working autonomously, particularly at off site one stop clinics and when providing the out-of-hours "on call"
service.
5. Maintaining up to date knowledge base through CPD.
6. May be required to deputise for more senior members of staff.
Aspects of multitasking in a busy Department, compounded by periods of shortstaffing
pressures
The configuration of the services in Blood Sciences is under review and will undergo a
process of evolution. This job description may therefore be revised within the overall Job
Purpose, Scope and Range in the light of planned and evolving modes of service delivery,
including departmental and laboratory configurations and after d
Person Specification
POST REF NO:
P/HC/03
JOB TITLE/BAND:
Specialist Biomedical Scientist – Band 6
LOCATION:
Haematology Section, Department of Blood Sciences,
NHS Tayside
HOURS:
37.5 hours per week
CRITERIA
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
QUALIFICATIONS
HPC registration as a
Biomedical Scientist.
IBMS post grad Specialist skills diploma in
Blood Sciences discipline.
Previous post registration in a
Blood Sciences discipline
A desire for further training/study with a view
to future career developments.
Practical experience and
comprehension of routine and
special techniques in Blood
Sciences
Knowledge of accreditation standards
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS
& EXPERIENCE
Practical experience in routine
and special Blood Sciences
techniques
Evidence of CPD
Quality control, assurance and
audit practices.
Laboratory health and safety.
HPC and IBMS professional
standards, ethics and
proficiencies
Communicates clearly and
effectively
Experience in laboratory training
PERSONAL
QUALITIES
A positive and proactive
attitude toward change and
problem solving.
A will to advance knowledge and personal
development
An interest in teaching.
Demonstrate interpersonal
skills / abilities to work
independently and to be an
effective teamworker.
Demonstrate an ability to be proactive in
initiating new ideas in service development.
An interest in quality related issues
Self motivation and use of
initiative
Ability to organise own time
and work in a demanding
environment
Prepared to work flexibly
Able to convey a professional
image to colleagues and
patients.
Sensitivity in dealings with people
Keen to develop own personal skills and
experience.
General Conditions of Service
POST REF NO:
P/HC/03
JOB TITLE/GRADE:
Specialist Biomedical Scientist – Band 6
LOCATION:
Haematology Section, Department of Blood Sciences,
NHS Tayside
Conditions of Service
The terms and conditions of service for this post are
those determined by the NHS Staff Council.
Remuneration
The current salary scale for the post is £25,528 to
£34,189 per annum (pro rata for part-time staff). Placing
on the scale on appointment is normally at the minimum
but may be higher subject to verification of previous
relevant service.
Please note the salary and band for this post are
indicative only and are subject to Agenda for Change Job
Evaluation.
Hours of Duty
Superannuation
Salary is paid Monthly by Bank Credit Transfer.
The hours of the post are 37.5 per week.
Start and finish times will be determined by the needs of
the service
Membership of the NHS Superannuation Scheme is not
compulsory but is open to all staff between the ages of
16 and 70 (65 in some instances).
The contributions paid are a percentage of
superannuable pay, which is essentially basic pay
excluding, for example, overtime or travelling expenses.
Contribution rates with effect from 01.04.12 are as
follows:
Annual Pensionable Pay
(Full-time equivalent)
Up to £15,000
£15,001 to £21,175
£21,176 to £26,557
£26,558 to £48,982
£48,983 to £69,931
£69,932 to £110,273
£110,274 to any higher amount
Contribution
5%
5%
6.5%
8.0%
8.9%
9.9%
10.9%
Contributions are subject to tax relief and reduced
National Insurance contributions. NHS Tayside also
makes a substantial contribution towards scheme
benefits – currently around 14% of basic pay.
Annual Leave
On appointment = 27 days (pro rata for part-time Staff) or
5.4 weeks per year.
After 5 years aggregated service = 29 days (pro rata for
part-time staff) or 5.8 weeks per year
After 10 years aggregated service = 33 days (pro rata for
part-time staff) or 6.6 weeks per year
References
Public Holidays = 8 days (pro rata for part-time staff) or
1.6 weeks per year
All offers of appointment are subject to receipt of two
satisfactory references
Occupational Health
Clearance
All offers of appointment to new entrants to the National
Health Service are subject to a medical examination.
Medical examinations are arranged and undertaken by
the Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Service
(OHSAS).
Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974
(Exclusions and
Exceptions) (Scotland)
Order 2003
All current or spent criminal convictions, cautions,
warnings or any case pending must be disclosed prior to
commencing in employment as detailed on the
application form.
Disclosure Scotland
Immigration, Asylum
and Nationality Act
2006
Please note that having a conviction will not
automatically debar you from obtaining employment with
NHS Tayside. Careful consideration will be given to the
relevance of the offence to the particular post in question.
However, if you are appointed, and it is found that you
did not reveal a previous conviction your employment
may be terminated.
This post is subject to a Standard check by Disclosure
Scotland as it involves access to children and/or
vulnerable adults. This will contain details of any
convictions on record whether spent or unspent.
It is a criminal offence for an employer to employ anyone
who does not have permission to live or work in the UK.
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to produce specific
original documentation at interview e.g. Passport, or full
birth certificate together with an official document giving
the applicants permanent National Insurance Number
and name issued by a Government Agency or a previous
employer, as well as photocopies of these documents.
Professional Registration/You should have current and continuing professional
Induction Standards & registration with HPC and hold the appropriate
Code of Conduct
qualification(s).
Smoking Policy
Smoking is prohibited within NHS premises and grounds.
Applications
Completed forms should be returned to:
recruitment.tayside@nhs.net quoting the job reference in
the subject line
or Human Resources, Management Offices, Perth Royal
Infirmary, Taymount Terrace, Perth PH1 1NX
By closing date of Friday, 19 April 2013