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This is a Band 6 Specialist Biomedical Scientist role in Blood Sciences at Guy’s and St Thomas’ laboratories specialising in Core Chemistry

This is a 24/7 shift working opportunity within the Synnovis Essential Services Laboratories in the heart of London

The Blood Sciences department is an innovative and progressive department that delivers analytical services to two prominent London teaching hospitals, Guy’s and St Thomas Hospital, as well as supporting the Synnovis Hub. It offers an extensive repertoire of tests in Chemistry and also supports clinical services such as first trimester screening and intraoperative PTH testing in theatres.

This department is actively engaged in training activities, ranging from IBMS registration and specialist portfolios to presentations and lectures. The in-house training is well-structured, featuring monthly CPD sessions, clear training plans supported by UKAS, Synnovis training opportunities, and the option to attend external conferences.

This position follows a 24/7 shift pattern. You will be expected to rotate through all areas of Core Chemistry, working across both the Guy’s and St Thomas’ sites with extensive exposure to the interesting caseloads put through the laboratory.

Synnovis is committed to training and development through the organisation's Scientific Learning and Development fund, allowing permanent members of staff the opportunity to apply for funding for a variety of qualifications and CPD activities.

As a Specialist Biomedical Scientist, the post holder will be responsible for the delegated tasks required for the delivery of a fit-for-purpose medical laboratory service to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care, and resource management within the Blood Sciences Laboratory.

They will be required to undertake their responsibilities within any of the core sub-units of Core Chemistry. You will be HCPC registered having completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Clinical Chemistry or be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience.

The laboratories are UKAS accredited to ISO 15189 standards and are accredited with IBMS as training laboratories for both Registration and Specialist Portfolios. This should give you the confidence that your development is in safe hands.

The laboratory is based on two sites St. Thomas’ and Guys both of which have a very diverse culture. There is a wide breadth of clinical specialties associated with a prestigious teaching hospital including a distinct children’s hospital on site, The Evelina. For you, this makes for varied and interesting, and sometimes challenging work; no two days are ever the same! Due to the variety and complexity of some of our patients the work can be very challenging but rewarding as you will gain invaluable scientific experience.

The laboratories are equipped with Abbott Alinity analysers which are integrated to the EPIC electronic patient record system used throughout the Trust.

Your development and learning

You will have access to a comprehensive suite of learning opportunities through The Synnovis Way Development Programme, a cornerstone across Synnovis designed to help you unlock your potential, acquire new skills, and achieve your professional goals. Your development will be actively supported and tailored in collaboration with your line manager, ensuring alignment with your personal ambitions and career aspirations.

As a Specialist Biomedical Scientist, the post holder will have a direct and meaningful impact through a range of key responsibilities, including:

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Technical

To safely handle, use and dispose of blood or other body fluids or hazardous chemicals.

To plan and organise their work within the demands of the team.

Advise service users on sample preservation and transportation to laboratory

To undertake preventative maintenance on laboratory instruments and equipment prior to them being used for patient investigations.

To prepare store and use reagents required for laboratory investigations

To perform manual, semi-automated and fully-automated laboratory investigations.

To measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.

To undertake technical validation of the results from laboratory investigations to ensure accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols and quality procedures.

Participate in internal and external quality assurance programmes

To undertake preliminary fault finding and corrective action when the quality control procedures indicate loss of performance.

To report to the section supervisor any instance or event which may cause a service delivery failure.

To file samples following appropriate protocols and keep records as required

Dispose of excess and tested samples according to departmental protocols

2. Scientific

To undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the section supervisor.

To participate in audits as directed by the quality lead.

To participate in research and development as directed by the Operations Manager.

To keep up to date with current scientific and technical developments, including through participation in scientific meetings if appropriate.

Maintain HCPC registration and undertake Continual Professional Development

3. Clinical

To interpret first line laboratory results and take appropriate actions in line with laboratory policies and procedures. e.g. authorisation of results, ordering relevant follow-up laboratory procedures, adding technical and approved pre-defined clinically relevant comments, referring results for clinical interpretation or opinion, informing the requestor of clinically significant result.

Provide approved departmental information and advise to other healthcare professionals, patients and the public, and to refer on to appropriate specialists requests for information out with their area of responsibility.

To participate in stock control management.

To participate in clinical audits

4. Laboratory Informatics

To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information.

To use the Laboratory Information System according to the authorised protocols.

To maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.

5. Administrative

To ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for ISO 15189.

Supervise work file management to ensure all results are reported with agreed turnaround time

To ensure that all results are reported within the agreed turnaround time, and to take appropriate action, for example communicating appropriately with colleagues and managers.

To support and participate in staff training and development.

Handle telephone enquiries from service users and where required communicate test results as per departmental protocol

To participate with supervision of the work and performance monitoring of Medical Laboratory Assistants, trainees and students in the procedures for which the post holder is responsible.

To use departmental resources efficiently and advise the Section Supervisor when stocks of reagents and consumables are approaching minimum stock levels.

To participate in the review of policies and procedures, COSHH and workplace risk assessments.

To participate in the data collection for the operation performance management system (OPMS)

For short periods of time the post holder may be required to deputise for the section supervisor.

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland and the NHS, including Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Together, they deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.

The partnership serves approximately 1.7 million residents of South East London, as well as many thousands of patients from outside the region who access local healthcare services. It provides diagnostics, testing, and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP practices, and other healthcare providers.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching trust, offering a rich and varied caseload across numerous specialties, including Women’s Services, Foetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, and Transplantation. It is also home to the Evelina London Children’s Hospital and the Cancer Centre located on the Guy’s site.

Situated near the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, this is an exceptional location in London — ideal for work and leisure, within easy reach of iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, the London Eye, and The Shard.