Clinical Scientist Haematology - Luton, United Kingdom - Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Description

Job overview

We are seeking enthusiastic and highly motivated state registered Clinical Scientists to join our Haematology team for 1 year. The post will be based at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital site but there will be a requirement to rotate to the Bedford Hospital site also.

We are happy to consider appointment of individuals who are not yet State Registered but are currently on a recognised programme of training that will lead to registration in the near future.

If you are looking for a new challenge in a rewarding role and would like to join a dedicated, patient focused team of health professionals then we would be delighted to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

For a full breakdown of duties please refer to the Job Description.

The post holder will perform a broad and demanding range of scientific work in order to understand and improve working practices in the Clinical Haematology (Blood Sciences) Laboratory and throughout the hospital.

The post holder will work with the clinical haematology, laboratory manager and seniors in the provision of a comprehensive and quality assured clinical consultative and scientific service within the department.

The post holder will deliver, on his/her own responsibility, a range of complex scientific work demanding skilled performance.

The post holder will maintain state registration as a Clinical Scientist in Clinical Haematology and will undertake an appropriate scheme of training to achieve Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath).

The post holder will work with considerable autonomy, but the ultimate responsibility for the quality of work will lie with the Haematology Consultant.

The post holder will assist the laboratory manager and Haematology Consultant in the delivery of a high quality, efficient and effective service, through the Quality Management System [QMS] and quality monitoring process using key performance indicators. They will be responsible for implementing change and policies and procedures ensuring that the service complies with current UKAS standards, national and European legislation and discipline specific regulatory bodies.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To be involved in all aspects of the day-to-day operation to UKAS standards of the Clinical Haematology (Blood Sciences) Laboratory with appropriate technical support. This will include:
- Running and maintenance of specialised instrumentation as required;
- Using relevant Pathology and Trust IT systems (e.g. LIMS, ICE);
- Performance monitoring and EQA;
- Demand management of haematology assays and subsets of blood transfusion requests;
- Training of pre-registration Clinical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists and others as appropriate.

As a Clinical Scientist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The post holder will provide appropriate advice and result interpretation on the tests performed within the department under the overall supervision of the Haematology Consultant.

To be responsible for clinical oversight of tests, changes to tests and newly introduced tests within the laboratory service pertinent to Haematology.

To review the impact of changes on existing clinical guidelines and to develop new guidelines where required.

To be the clinical lead for quality control in liaison with the senior team.

To contribute to the development and selection of analytical methods employed and to maintain awareness of their reactions, limitations and causes of interference or error. This knowledge is essential for the validation of reports, identifying errors and explaining anomalous results to clinical staff.

To be involved in a medium-term service development and enhancement including:
- Setting of service standards for the laboratory, particularly those related to automated testing;
- Participation in clinical audit within Clinical Haematology (Blood Sciences) and in liaison with other departments;
- Attending Clinical Haematology (Blood Sciences) Senior Staff Meetings;
- Equipment selection and evaluation;
- Evaluation and implementation of new methods;
- Making recommendations on clinical protocols;
- Evaluation of published developments and innovations;
- Regular research and development.

Where delegated, to be responsible for the formulation and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures [SOP] for the department utilising the Document Management Module of the Q-Pulse system.

Participate in the general clinical support rota during the working day under the supervision of the Haematology Consultant. This includes clinical validation of haematology results and dealing with telephone enquiries concerning the use and interpretation of pathology tests.

To contribute on matters of quality assurance related to laboratory analysis and to take appropriate action when errors are identified.

To use patterns of abnormalities in laboratory results together with clinical details on a patient and general clinical knowledge and experience to formulate advice on differential diagnoses and the appropriateness of treatment.

To maintain an up-to-date knowledge in procedures associated with clinical haematology in order to give scientific and clinical advice.

To ensure clinical incidents and complaints are reported and investigated.

To communicate verbally and in written reports the results of scientific investigations to clinicians and other healthcare professionals.

Participate in local and National training and to work towards professional qualification e.g. FRCPath. The Trust will provide appropriate study leave and support, as this is a training post.

Participate in national activities, where requested.

In order to fulfil the requirements of the post a period of secondment to a specialist laboratory may be necessary.

Attend appropriate clinical meetings including outpatients' clinics and wards of specialised interest. This will comprise adult and neonatal intensive care and Haematology's outpatient clinics.

To bring to the attention of the laboratory manager and Haematology Consultant any problems or difficulties encountered in the performance of their duties.

To participate in evidence based training and maintain a level of knowledge to fulfil this role through Continual Professional Development [CPD] for retention of HCPC Registered Clinical Scientist status.

Bridge the gap between the clinical team and the laboratory and offer opportunities to interact with users of the Service.

To participate in repatriation of assays and enhancement of testing repertoire within the laboratory.

Be the first point of call for GPs and clinicians (particularly junior doctors) to ask advice and guidance regarding interpretation of test results, referral to Haematology outpatient clinics, and tests requirement prior to the clinic appointment. This will prevent unnecessary referrals and ensure Consultants have relevant results when seeing a new patient in clinic.

To attend an annual appraisal from your line manager.

Undertake other duties commensurate with the post as directed.

N.B. This job may involve the manual handling of heavy loads, for which training will be given. If there is any reason why you should not do this, it is your responsibility to inform your manager immediately.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Knowledge/skills

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Personal skills

Essential criteria

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.