Apprentice Biomedical Scientist

Overview

The Microbiology Department is based at the John Radcliffe Hospital and provide services to the Oxford University Hospitals NHSFT, primary care, South 4 Pathology Partnership, other NHS providers, private care, UKHSA and research trials. The laboratory holds UKAS accreditation and is accredited with the IBMS for pre and post HCPC registration training. The department undertakes bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, serology, and molecular microbiology;

as well as high-throughput SARS-COV-2 testing. The successful candidate will be expected to rotate between all sections of work in the department. The laboratory is a 24/7 service and successful applicants will participate in working day, evenings, night, weekend & bank holiday sessions. The post is full time, average working hours over the shift pattern 37.5 hours. The department is well equipped including BD BACTEC FX, BD MGIT, BD MAX, BD COR, BD Kiestra, BD Phoenix, BD Autopreps, Bruker MALDI-TOF, SediMAX, Abbott Alinity i, Dia Sorin Liaison XL, Abbott Alinity m, ELITe InGenius, ELITe BeGenius, Bio Fire TORCH, Cepheid Gene Xpert, King Fisher, Quant Studio 5, V‑Quick, Illumina.

Please refer to full Job Description for an Apprentice Biomedical Scientist. This post is not suitable for candidates who already hold a BSC Biomedical Science.

The post holder will be working towards educational qualification and registration as a Biomedical Scientist (BMS) using the Departmental SOPs and Protocols throughout all sections of the department. The post holder must attend an IBMS accredited university apprenticeship-based degree course and complete the IBMS Certificate of Competence Portfolio in the prescribed period, normally no more than four years in employment as an Apprentice BMS role.

The post holder will be supported with study time to complete the requirements of the apprenticeship, in line with job role & service provision. The post holder will keep a diary of study time to support the apprenticeship requirements. The post holder will be required to work at any of the laboratory sites within the Trust as and when required.

The work may include weekend, bank holiday and evening or night duties, which requires a flexible approach to the hours of employment, according to individual contract.

• Analyses potentially infectious samples using a range of highly specialised laboratory procedures, by either manual or automated techniques, to produce results of a quality consistent with excellent patient care. Undertakes these duties in all areas of the Department under the supervision of qualified staff.
• Ensures efficient use and maintenance of resources, is aware of stock levels and rotation, storage conditions, batch numbers and expiry dates, thus ensuring the viability of the reagents and/or blood products used.
• Exercises a degree of autonomy but refers to qualified staff and works in co‑operation with other staff members to ensure that the workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Works to gain competence in all departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), ensuring that personal performance complies with ISO 15189‑2022 and other professional standards.
• Carries out troubleshooting and preventative maintenance on highly complex automated systems. Ensures appropriate records are kept and liaises with senior staff and service engineers where appropriate.
• Matches samples with request forms and inputs patient and test information into the laboratory computer system, requiring complete accuracy.
• Practices in accordance with the professional, ethical and legal codes of the Health Care Professions Council and the Trust's protocols and guidelines. Is responsible for developing own practice towards registration status.
• Complies with the requirements of internal and external/national quality assurance schemes along with internal requirements for audits and competence assessment to meet national quality standards.
• Develops proficiency in the assessment, planning and prioritisation of tasks.
• Communicates effectively with other staff groups, both internal and external. To include healthcare professionals, patients and…