2 x Specialist Biomedical Scientist, Microbiology Department

Early shift: 8 am to 4.30 pm (3-4 sessions per month)
Lates: 1.30 pm to 10.00 pm (6-8 sessions per month)
Nights: 8.15 pm to 8.30 am (3-4 sessions per month)
Standard: 9 am to 5 pm
To apply, you need to be fully prepared to work the above shift pattern or to work "nights only" and not be limited with work restrictions i.e. to work a typical 37.5 hour week)
About the role:
We have a fantastic opportunity for Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join our team in the Microbiology department at Northwick Park Hospital. This role will play a key part in enabling the successful delivery of our overall services to Northwick Park, St Marks', Central Middlesex and Ealing Hospitals along with Brent and Harrow CCGs.
The department processes an interesting and varied workload arising from a diverse mix of community and hospital locations, including the largest Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine department in the country, genitourinary medicine, maxillofacial units and a specialist bowel diseases hospital.
The laboratories are spacious, refurbished, well equipped including a total laboratory automation system, upgraded blood culture, liquid TB, identification, automated sensitivity and PCR equipment. We are accredited by UKAS (ISO15189: 2012) and an IBMS approved training laboratory.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to drive change through an extremely fast paced, forward-thinking business and be part of an exciting period of evolution in modern microbiology practice. You can become a key member of the department contributing significantly to the provision and development of the clinical diagnostic service.
Some of the exciting scope of your role will include, but not be restricted to:

• Processing and testing patient specimens.



• Reading culture plates, interpreting culture results and carrying out appropriate antibiotic sensitivities using the laboratory LIMS system (Helix)



• Performing PCR testing on samples requiring investigation for TB, Influenza/RSV, SARS-CoV-2 or other organisms as required.



• Routine operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of various automated systems - including: Kiestra Laboratory automation, Bactec Fx, MGIT, Phoenix AP/M50s, MALDI-Tof, Sedimax, DS2, EntericBio and GeneXpert.



• Authorising and reporting results to clinicians.



• Participating in the training of new members of staff.



• Proposing change and enhancing the quality of the service.



• Assisting with the validation of new equipment and procedures introduced in the department.
  
  Registered Biomedical Scientist with the HCPC and have post registration bacteriology experience equivalent to specialist diploma level.
  
  Sonic Healthcare is an internationally renowned healthcare provider with a demonstrable track record of medical services across the world. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, Sonic is an ASX Top 50 company that has grown to become one of the world's leading healthcare providers, specialising in pathology, radiology and primary care medical centres. We have operations in Australia, the USA, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand.

Sonic Healthcare UK encompasses the two main entities in the UK, The Doctors Laboratory (TDL) and Health Services Laboratories (HSL). HSL is a partnership between The Doctors Laboratory (TDL), Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH). HSL was formed to provide pathology services to the NHS Trusts and has expanded further to provide services to other NHS Trusts. Over 2,500 staff work at Sonic Healthcare UK, primarily under the TDL or HSL banner.
Our purpose is to deliver medically-led diagnostics, innovation, value and long-term investment to healthcare. With our core laboratory based at The Halo Building in London WC1H 9AX, we also have an expanding site in Manchester as well as smaller hospital-based laboratories across the country. We maintain rigorously high standards of quality, whilst also delivering efficiencies to healthcare through careful workforce planning, pioneering technology and significant investment in infrastructure and IT.
Due to the nature of work that Sonic Healthcare UK undertakes, our clients require that Employees filling certain roles, need, as part of their on-boarding to complete a DBS Check. This role falls in to the category of requiring a DBS check (standard)
We have two opportunities in the team, one due to a colleague retiring and one due to an internal promotion.

The interview process:
Successful applicants will be brought in to meet the hiring manager and the team, have a tour of the lab, Q&A interview including competency or behavioural based questions and a practical test.
At TDL we offer a variety of excellent staff benefits including:

• Training and development opportunities - including the funding of Masters Degrees and IBMS Specialist Portfolios for Biomedical Scientists



• Annual performance related salary review



• No banding restrictions: As we are a private company we are not restricted by salary bandings and so are able to negotiate appropriate salaries based on experience. This also means that annual salary reviews do not hit a band ceiling


• Discounted gym membership - we have a corporate gym membership scheme with Better Gyms



• Cash healthcare plan - cash back on a variety of healthcare costs including dentist and opticians



• Sick Pay Entitlement - 5 paid days in the first year of employment, 20 days thereafter



• Permanent Health Insurance and Death in Service Cover



• Life Assurance - providing salary continuation for long term illness (six months qualifying period)



• Employee Assistance Programme - supporting staff wellbeing



• Season Ticket Loan Scheme - interest free loan for the cost of annual travel ticket



• Perkbox - Access to additional staff perks and benefits such as high street discounts



• Company Pension Scheme - company and staff contributions which increase with service



• Competitive annual leave allowance - 28 days annual leave



• Flexible working hours - 37.5 hours standard working week. With a variety of working patterns available, options to review working flexibly will always be considered.


Due to the nature of work that Sonic Healthcare UK undertakes, our clients require that Employees filling certain roles, need, as part of their on-boarding to complete a DBS Check. This role falls in to the category of requiring a DBS check (standard)
Please read the job description and person specification carefully and ensure that your application reflects the knowledge, skills and experience required.