Scientist - Microbiology Services Surveillance

Job Summary

This interesting and vitally important role provides an exciting opportunity to join a small multi-disciplinary team in Microbiology Services. Your work will directly impact on the health and safety of both donors and patients.

As the link between the NHSBT reference laboratory and the Microbiology Services clinicians, you will have the opportunity to work with colleagues across the Microbiology Services including collaboration with epidemiology and virology colleagues based in Public Health England, as well as the wider NHSBT.

This is a diverse role interpreting a variety of test results on a number of blood and tissue products, including donations from blood, cord, tissue and organ donors. The successful applicant will work with the clinical panel to manage donors with markers of infections, support changes in donor selection and screening and maintain a robust quality framework.

We provide an extensive induction programme and offer a number of opportunities for ongoing development to support you in your role and achieving your career ambitions.

Main duties of the job

You will be required to work with colleagues in the national reference laboratories, screening laboratories and with clinical colleagues to provide a high-quality service. The section provides the link between the laboratories and clinicians for follow-up of donors with markers of infection and suspected transfusion-transmitted infections. Your responsibilities will include:

• Working with the team to ensure that, where possible, suitable actions are taken to allow donors to return to the donation panel.
• Ensuring that all tasks are performed in accordance with current policies, procedures, standards and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Providing specialist advice to a range of service users.
• Contributing to the service provided by Microbiology Services leading to the management of blood donors and contributing to the management of donors of tissues and cells.
• Ensuring the team works closely with the quality departments to manage inappropriate recalls, discards and unusual results.
• Managing the collection, archiving and issue of microbiology positive blood products both internally and externally for use in research, preparation of quality control panels and similar.
• Managing quality issues by working closely with quality assurance colleagues to identify system errors and introduce procedures to reduce this. You will work with colleagues across the section and the wider department to investigate and implement any required changes following quality incidents.
• Acting as mentor, supervisor & trainer of Healthcare Scientist staff within own area of expertise.
• Having knowledge of communicable disease surveillance would be desirable.

You will be required to travel and spend time away from base, which will involve working irregular hours and overnight stays when required, with prior notice.

About You

Experience and Knowledge

• Broad science knowledge particularly virology/microbiology.
• Experience of interpretation of laboratory reports.
• Experience of working with Information Technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Experience of working in an NHS environment and/or in the pharmaceutical industry or similar.
• Experience of working to the standards of Good Manufacturing Practice, Good Laboratory Practice and other relevant statutory guidelines.
• Knowledge of data protection and confidentiality requirements.

Qualifications and Training

• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Clinical Scientist or Biomedical Scientist.

• Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline e.g. Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology.
• Specialist additional knowledge acquired through a post graduate diploma or equivalent experience/knowledge working in Microbiology.
• Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD).

Please view the attached recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification for the full personal attributes we require for the role. You will need to demonstrate these throughout the recruitment process.

About Us

At NHS Blood and Transplant, were incredibly proud of the many talented people who come together every day to make our organisation the very best it can be. We have clearly defined values that are centred around offering exceptional care to our donors and their families. We take care of each other too and we focus on building our expertise so we can change lives, provide quality support and offer fulfilling careers.

Its an opportunity to contribute to a unique team as part of a service that saves lives 365 days a year. We offer brilliant benefits including 27 days of holiday (plus bank holidays), a comprehensive induction and training programme, and competitive pension scheme.

We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with and positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality.

Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.

This vacancy will close at 23:59 on Sunday 24th March 2024.

Interviews are anticipated to be held on Wednesday 17th April 2024 subject to confirmation.

For informal enquiries please contact: Hatice Baklan, Laboratory Surveillance Lead Scientist, at Hatice.Baklan@nhsbt.nhs.uk.