Job overview

***INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY***

The post holder will serve as a HCPC registered Senior Biomedical Scientist within the Microbiology department, providing advanced microbiological analysis and surveillance to support patient diagnosis and treatment. They will perform and oversee a wide range of specialist routine laboratory procedures, ensuring compliance with clearly defined policies and procedures while contributing to the continuous improvement of the service.

 In additional to rotating though various sections of the laboratory, the post holder will take a lead in critical areas such as Quality Assurance, Health & Safety, Training, and equipment management as directed by the Laboratory Manager. They will supervise and provide professional oversight for Biomedical Scientists (BMS), Assistant Practitioners (AP) and Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA), ensuring high standards of technical performance and adherence to established protocols. This role involves leading technical operations, making informed decisions on complex cases, and offering expert guidance to junior staff.

This position is part of a 7 day service, including on call duties, requiring flexibility and availability to meet the needs of the department, especially in urgent situations. The post holder will be instrumental in implementing quality improvements and ensuring that the laboratory meets the standards required by the laboratory’s quality management system (ISO 15189) and UKAS accreditation.

Main duties of the job

To maintain HCPC registration as a condition of employment. To maintain high professional standards by continuing professional development and keeping up-to-date with advances in medical microbiology.

To demonstrate leadership in fostering a positive and responsive attitude across the laboratory team, promoting high standards among other members of the team and service users.

·      To lead on or facilitate health & safety initiatives within the laboratory, including training, monitoring and implementing risk assessments, COSH, and compliance with Trust and Laboratory polices with direction and support from senior staff

·           To adhere to Trust and Laboratory safety policies, using protective equipment and control measures required.

·         To work safely with cultures of Category 2 and 3 micro-organisms and specimens that may contain them.

·         To work safely with corrosive, flammable and other hazardous chemicals and gases.

·         To use equipment in a safe and responsible manner.

·      To observe the immunisation policy of the laboratory.

·        To report accidents and near misses according to the laboratory/Trust protocol.

·       To assume responsibility for the safety of allocated bench areas and ensure staff compliance with safety protocols.

·       To oversee / maintain / lead the Health & Safety within the department.

Working for our organisation

Wye Valley NHS Trust is a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire NHS FT , the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

Located on the border with Wales in the shadow of the Black Mountains, we provide acute and community services across Herefordshire and into parts of Powys and run Hereford County Hospital and the community hospitals in Bromyard, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.

We are a progressive and forward looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care we’d want for our family and friends.

More than 3,500 people work for the Trust – they tell us it’s a great place to work, blending the busyness of a DGH with the benefits of working in a beautiful rural and unspoilt county like Herefordshire.

We can offer a great work-life balance and have a fine tradition of working with staff to help them achieve their full potential.

Russell Hardy, Trust Chairman: “The strength of the Trust is its amazing staff; a great place to work, a great place to develop your career and a great place to reach your potential.”

Our values - Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence - are at the heart of all we do. We believe in providing the right care in the right place at the right time…all the time.