Biomedical Scientist

You will join our friendly and enthusiastic team working in the busy Biochemistry and Immunology laboratory at our main laboratory based at Whiston Hospital and our Biochemistry essential services laboratory based at Southport Hospital. The service is provided 24/7/365 and the post holder may be requested to work from any sites where the Trust provides a service.
For the successful candidate, working towards Specialist Biomedical Scientist status will be encouraged by support for completion of IBMS Specialist portfolio.
Both Whiston and Southport labratory sites are equipped with Siemens automation including tracked Phadia 250 for automated immunology. The immunology manual section is based at the Whiston laboratory and is equipped with Sebia MC3 and Hydrsys2 scan, IIF microscopy for auto immunity screening and a Thermo Phadia 250 for allergy.
Interview Date - To Be Confirmed, Biomedical Scientists (BMS) carry out analyses of blood, body fluids, tissues and cell to determine the presence or absence of disease; this enables diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment.
BMSs also carry out population screening for inherited or malignant disorders.
BMSs will carry out the technical and scientific operations of the Biochemistry Department on a day-to-day basis enabling the provision of a high-quality Pathology service to the Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the CCGs and GP practices.
BMSs will be an active member of the Blood Sciences Team working at any site where Pathology is operated from and complete the Specialist Portfolio in Clinical Biochemistry., Technical
+ Undertake manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations on a rotational basis through all sections (Automation, Endocrine, Manual and Pre-Analytical) within the Clinical Biochemistry Department as required.
+ Follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and participate in the regular review and update of SOPs.
+ Ensure that equipment is used in accordance with departmental policies and supplier's instructions.
+ Undertake routine and more complex maintenance procedures on the analysers within The Department and carry out appropriate internal maintenance procedures and maintain maintenance records.
+ Plan and organise own work within the demands of the team.
+ Undertake technical validation of multiple complex sets of results from laboratory investigations ensuring accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols. Also, to assess the validity of the results as to whether conflicting information is due to the pathology of the patient, contamination or compromised integrity of the sample prior to release of the results for clinical validation.
+ Measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures for Clinical Biochemistry.
+ Carry out corrective action or inform senior staff when the quality control procedures indicate loss of performance.
+ Prepare reagents required for laboratory investigations.
+ Report any instance or event which may cause a service delivery failure.
+ Have direct patient contact performing Sweat Test Analysis on children referred from the Paediatric Consultants, and to deliver relevant information to parents/guardians. To be aware of trust policies regarding working with children.
+ Take appropriate action should the quality assurance systems be outside acceptable limits.
+ Perform External Quality Control and be aware of the External Quality Control performance for the section.
+ Disposal of patient samples in accordance with relevant guidelines
+ Regular participation in the out of hours service provision of the department.
+ Ensure provision of blood or blood products in a timely manner according to relevant SOP, commensurate with patient requirements.
+ Maintain, troubleshoot and repair faults in laboratory instruments and point of care equipment and liaise with service engineers as required.
Diagnostic
+ Use interpretive skills to determine the clinical significance of results of laboratory tests, for example, by:
Ø Preparing, examining and reporting on the analysis of specimens.
Ø Performing diagnostic tests by various methods including Biochemical, Immunological, Electrophoretic, Chromatographic, and Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques.
+ Interpret diagnostic laboratory results and take appropriate actions i.e.
Ø Authorisation and reporting of results.
Ø Adding technical comments.
Ø Referring results for a second opinion.
Ø Informing the requestor/medical staff of clinically significant and critical results.
+ Validate and authorise emergency test and selected other test results to patient file so that results may be acted on as necessary by clinicians.
Communication
+ Communicate results verbally or by fax or telephone to persons authorised to receive them in a clear and concise manner following appropriate policies and procedures.
+ Provide advice and information to Laboratory, Ward, GP staff and patients regarding samples and sample handling including information on appropriate tests and collection conditions for in house, referred and infrequently requested tests.
+ Deal with result queries where information may be conflicting and difficult to understand.
+ Communicate any relevant information to laboratory colleagues within the section and to inform effectively at hand over.
+ Actively participate in team meetings and as required by more formal means such as presentations.
+ Have involvement in the Annual Management Review.
+ Notify carers of abnormal or life-threatening results.
+ Attend senior staff meetings as a Biomedical Scientist (BMS) representative and cascading information to other BMS colleagues.
+ Communicate, as appropriate, using information technology.
+ Follow directorate policy for answering the telephone, taking messages when required.
+ Report any issues and complaints to appropriate person.
Health and Safety
+ Receipt, checking, preparation, safe handling, dealing with spillage and storage of biological samples for analysis (including high risk samples).
+ Preparation, safe handling, dealing with spillage, storage and disposal of reagents and chemicals accordance with COSHH regulations.
+ Identify and assess the potential risks involved in work activities and processes for self and others.
CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
+ Maintain registration with Health and Care Professions Council and adhere to the codes of conduct expected by the Health and Care Professions Councils and Institute of Biomedical Sciences.
+ Maintain and promote the professional image of the Pathology, STHK and SOHT.
+ Demonstrate competency in order to work autonomously out of hours.
+ Maintain an awareness of developments and provide suggestions for implementation as appropriate.
+ Keep the workplace and work benches clean and tidy.
+ Maintain good working relations with all members or staff and to promote effective teamwork.
+ Attend education and training courses as required by the Departmental Manager. To maintain knowledge of advances in relevant scientific areas, through Continuous Professional Development activities.
+ Maintain and development skills in Clinical Biochemistry, to enable participation in departmental rotation.
+ Trained in the use of the Quality Management System.
+ Keep up to date records of own development review process.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
+ Ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good practices required for the standards of UKAS ISO15189
+ Comply with good laboratory practices required for the standards of UKAS ISO15189.
+ Undertake work file management to ensure that reporting of results are carried out in a timely fashion.
+ Deputise for a Senior Biomedical Scientist in their short-term absence.

+ Advise the Senior Biomedical Scientists with stocks of reagents and consumables are approaching minimum stock level, or take appropriate action.
+ Comply with the local and national policies for safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
+ Use the Pathology computer System according to the authorised protocols.
+ Enter own results and those obtained by others into Telepath.
+ Check and correct, if necessary, information input by other laboratory staff.
+ Maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.
+ Use Trust wide IT systems as appropriate following trust policies, guidelines and procedures.
+ Assist in the audit of data held on the pathology laboratory information system.
+ Use available automated facilities for checking the data/information and for resolving difficulties in using applications.
+ Find and provide requested data/information using agreed procedures and formats.
+ Report the data/information clearly in the required format at the time agreed., + In conjunction with the Senior Biomedical Scientists responsible for the day-to-day supervision, education and training of trainee BMS, Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA) and Support Workers.
+ Assist the Senior Biomedical Scientists with supervision, mentorship, training, development and competence assessment of trainee and probationary Biomedical Scientists, MLAs, Support Workers and locum staff.
+ Assist as required by the Departmental Manager in the organisation of, and participation in the formal training programmes for BMS, Trainee BMS, MLAs and Support Workers.
RESEARCH & AUDIT
+ Participate in departmental clinical trials, audit, research and development programmes.
+ Undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by senior laboratory staff.
Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. You are part of an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.
Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.
The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact [email protected]
We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision-making process.
The equality monitoring information you provide is used in the following situations: to review our recruitment practices; where a job is limited to a specific person to verify their eligibility to apply; and to offer disability reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click here to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 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.
Please note if applicable, applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment.
If you have not already done so, you are therefore encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service to which a small annual fee of £13 per year applies.
Flexible Working
We actively support flexible working patterns throughout MWL. Changes made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook mean that:
· All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
· There is no limit on the number of requests they can make.
· Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.
At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working. We would also encourage you to also discuss flexible working options at interview stage.
Working for Team MWL
Staff recognition is especially important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Employee of the month. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
The Trust is a non-smoking across all our sites. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action. For more information, see the Smoke Free NHS website
You must ensure that your application, including personal statements and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.
Additional Information
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and Behaviours which are We are KIND, We are OPEN, We are INCLUSIVE, which can be found here.
An applicant guide to help and support you with your application and what to expect during your recruitment journey can be accessed in the supporting documents.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
Our services:
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
+ Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
+ Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
+ National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme