Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Planning and organisation:

•      Perform urgent analyses as requested by clinicians, utilising the most appropriate methods, techniques or analysers to provide results as soon as possible, and telephone results as required

•      Plan own work schedules and those of BMS Trainees and MLA’s, to ensure the results are issued from the laboratory efficiently

•      Maintain adequate stocks of reagents and consumables to ensure the service is always provided to specified standards. Inform Section Leader when stock is low. To include setting up electronic stock management under instruction from Senior staff and Managed Service Contractor.

•      Work in all areas of the laboratory, organising and prioritising different tasks, utilising specialist equipment where necessary

•      Work in all areas of the laboratory, organising and prioritising different tasks, utilising specialist equipment where necessary

•      To work with the Pathology Quality team to undertake audits of laboratory processes in compliance with ISO 15189 . To include examination audits and  /or the collection of objective evidence for use in assessing competency within the laboratory

Analytical and judgement:

•      Advise other health care professionals of the technical/analytical validity of results using knowledge and experience, and to refer complex queries on to more qualified staff

•      To perform specialist haematology /transfusion investigations under the supervision of Band 6 Specialist Biomedical Scientist

•      Run Haematology /Transfusion main line analysers and instrumentation according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), utilising knowledge and skills to authorise patient results.

•      Troubleshoot and perform frontline repair to Haematology /Transfusion analysers/automation in accordance with user manuals, within your own limits, to maintain an efficient service and to seek assistance from Senior staff when necessary

•      Determine the suitability of specimens and appropriateness for the test requested. When necessary, advise clinical colleagues of sample issues and the correct remedial actions to ensure the quality of results and patient care

•      Have knowledge of the factors affecting Haematology /Transfusion test results about age and sex related reference ranges, sample state, analyser and method limitations.  A basic clinical understanding of disease processes, clinical summaries on request forms and the impact of disease. To use this knowledge to evaluate and authorise results. To refer results unexplained by these variables to more qualified staff

•      To assist Section Leaders with processing of EQA materials. This includes their timely analysis, interpretation of results, and generation of reports with findings and corrective actions

•      Carry out routine maintenance of specific analytical equipment

Policy and Service development:

•      Authorise completed work in a timely manner so that results are available for other health care professionals to aid in their diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care of patients.

•      Work always in accordance with principles of best practice with reference to all national and local policies and guidelines

•      Ensure issues and problems are resolved satisfactorily and referred to the Section Leader as appropriate

•      To participate in annual Individual Performance Review.

•      To provide advice and assistance to junior BMS, Trainee BMS, and MLA staff and ensure staff work fully in compliance with laboratory procedures and policies

Patient and client care:

•      Interpret blood films using specialist knowledge. Report results in a timely manner, adding clinically relevant comments and inform the requesting clinician of abnormal or clinically significant results where a delay could compromise patient care. 

People management and training:

•      Provide support for a specific area of the Laboratory, upon direction from Deputy Head or Head BMS, including Quality Management, Training, competency testing, Health and Safety.

•      Active participation in Continuing Professional Development and the maintenance of Health Professions Council registration

•       Maintain own competencies as described by Department Record of Training and Ongoing Assessment.

Information Technology and administrative duties:

•      Answer telephone enquiries regarding results and other general issues. To understand when to refer more complex queries are referred to Senior members of staff

•      Prioritise the telephoning of abnormal test results to the requestor, to enable timely action and intervention to aid the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients

•      To be competent in the use of Laboratory Information management systems and specific analyser software

Research and Development:

•      Follow SOP’s, and aid in their review and amending as required. Be prepared to comment on your own work or work of the Department to improve service delivery

•      Provide cover for, within your own limits, for Senior staff in their absence and be prepared to work on your own when necessary.

•      Participate and assist in the on-going supervision and training of Trainee Biomedical Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants.