Band 5 job description Molecular Biology Version 2 DMB925

Author: Joanna Farrugia Date: 10/03/19

Job Description
Job Group (Delete as applicable): Additional Professional Scientific and Technical
Job Title: Biomedical Scientist / MTO2
Existing Grade: Band 5
Care Group: Clinical Support Services
Service Line: Pathology Summary
Department:
Molecular Biology, Derriford Combined
Laboratories
Location: Derriford Hospital
Appraiser: Dr J Farrugia
Accountable to: Dr J Farrugia
Position Number:
Date: 10th March 2019

Job Purpose:
1. To undertake scientific duties in Molecular services across Pathology, as required in order to
facilitate the smooth running of the service.
2. To provide a clinical technical service by performing routine and specialist analytical testing on a
range of biological samples.
3. To maintain and run specialist equipment up to a value of £1 million.
4. To supervise, mentor and support Trainee Biomedical Scientists and support staff.

Key Dimensions:

1. The post holder will work together with senior staff and support staff across Pathology to produce a
timely, high quality, accurate and cost effective service.
2. The post holder will ensure the timely processing of patient samples, serving all those patients
attending PHNT, PCTs representing 100 General Practices and specialist assays referred to us
from other Trusts within the Peninsula.

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Band 5 job description Molecular Biology Version 2 DMB925
Author: Joanna Farrugia Date: 10/03/19

Molecular Biology Organisation Chart

Clinical Consultants Laboratory Operations Manager

Hannah Hunter (VACANCY)
David Hilton

Lead BMS
Simeon Green

Molecular Biology Section Lead

Joanna Farrugia

BMS 6
x1.0 wte

BMS 5/ Trainee
Accountability
x1.0 wte

Clinical Accountability

SATO
Project Management
x1.0 wte
Line of Communication

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Band 5 job description Molecular Biology Version 2 DMB925
Author: Joanna Farrugia Date: 10/03/19

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. To process biological samples including blood, urine, faeces cerebral spinal fluid and other
tissues, taking personal responsibility for the quality and authorisation of the results, which
are used in the diagnosis, treatment and management of disease.
2. The post holder will demonstrate the high level of skill to perform complex manual, semi
automated and automated analytical techniques as applicable, meeting turnaround times
with prompt reporting and authorisation of results used in the diagnosis and treatment of
disease.
3. The post holder will be required to provide complex information relating to test results, which
may be sensitive in nature.
4. Understand the pathology of disease in relationship to the results produced whilst being
aware of their significance in the authorisation of patients results with reference to the
normal ranges.
5. Will be aware of the clinical significance of results produced and using this knowledge to
perform appropriate supplementary tests/investigations relevant to providing a complete
report to requesting clinicians.
6. To prioritise work and perform urgent analyses, in the absence of senior scientists reporting
results to requesting clinicians as appropriate.
7. Identify abnormal or unexpected results and ensure prompt reporting to a senior scientist.
8. Following protocols, request additional tests or samples to aid in the diagnosis or treatment
of disease.
9. To understand the principles underlying the analytical processes used in your area of work
so as to maintain their operation and quality of results.
10. To receive request forms and accompanying samples, to book those into the Pathology
computer systems, to prepare the samples (including centrifugation) for analysis, to load
and unload samples from analysers, to sort into racks and transfer for storage on
completion.
11. Answer telephone enquiries regarding results and other general laboratory issues e.g. giving
advice on the correct conditions and sample type for a particular test request.
12. To operate analytical equipment within your section, within your discipline and within the
department, some of which will be highly complex and require specialist training.
13. To perform front line troubleshooting and repairs of analysers of highly complex, expensive
automated equipment e.g. multichannel analysers, used in the day-to-day function of the
laboratory.
14. To reconstitute and prepare calibration and quality control material, both internal and
external, used on the analysers to ensure results are accurate and precise.
15. To participate in and understand the quality assurance programs of the department, both
internal and external e.g. NEQAS (National External Quality Assurance Schemes).
16. To observe all departmental, Trust, National and European Health & Safety regulations
relevant to the service, ensuring attendance at the annual departmental H&S update. In
addition all staff must sign Departmental H&S policies to acknowledge understanding and
compliance.
17. To continually update their knowledge and skills whilst documenting this in their Continual
Professional Development folder.
18. To ensure contemporaneous completion of your induction and training records.
19. To communicate with other health care professionals in transmission and in response to
telephone enquiries relating to results and the service.
20. To prepare specimens for analysis.
21. To assist senior colleagues in the maintenance of adequate stocks of reagents and
consumables to ensure continuous service provision.
22. To follow Standard Operating Procedures at all times and as directed by senior staff and
contribute to their formulation. Propose any changes to these SOPs in order to maintain the
quality of the service and maximise efficiency.
23. To attend meetings and training courses as necessary.
24. To attend Statutory and Essential Update Training annually.

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25. To attend departmental briefings and/or acquaint yourself with the team brief posted on
departmental notice boards.
26. To assist in the maintenance and compilation of workload statistics.
27. To assist in the process of continual quality improvement. This will include audit, corrective
action, preventative action and improvement processes.
28. To participate in an annual appraisal and achieve any targets set at this time.
29. To participate in the training of Trainee Biomedical Scientists and new staff.
30. To assist senior staff in the supervision of Trainee Biomedical Scientists and Assistant
Technical Officers.
31. To assist in audit carried out by internal and external agencies.
32. Subject to the principle statement of employment, or within the local agreements pertaining
to 24/7 provision, participate in this service.
33. Participate in clinical trials or any research & development undertaken by the department,
including sample preparation, analysis and collating data as necessary.
34. At the direction of senior departmental staff undertake work from any source commensurate
with the knowledge and skills of a state registered Biomedical Scientist.
35. Ensure issues and problems are resolved satisfactorily and referred through your line
management structure as appropriate.
36. Cover for senior staff and be prepared to work on your own when necessary.
37. To carry out other duties commensurate with the post.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

1. Accountable to the Laboratory Manager through the Head Biomedical Scientist and Section
Leaders.
2. The post holder may be asked to be a mentor during the induction of new staff.
3. Will attend or read the minutes of departmental briefings.
4. Key working relationships will exist between the post holder, Senior Biomedical Scientists,
Clinical Scientists and Section Leaders.
5. Work closely with other Biomedical Scientists and support staff.
6. NHS colleagues both in the hospital and primary care.
7. Occasionally with Pathology equipment suppliers.

OTHER

1. The post holder will be required to participate in the 24/7 rotas if line 32, in Primary Duties
and Responsibilities applies.
2. Dress and act in a professional manner at all times.

All Job Holders are required to…

 Work to the Trust values - Put patients first, Take ownership, Respect others, Be positive, Listen, learn
and improve.

 Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc.

 Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate
in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.

 Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training.

 Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All
members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.

 Comply with the Corporate Governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out

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by the Trust.

 Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is
required for the post.

 Ensure they are familiar with the Risk Management Framework, follow policies, procedures and safe
systems of work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to
reduce risk.

 Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact
with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role
with children and families.

 Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame.

 Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote
safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people using Trust services.

 Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Trust Infection Control
policies and procedures.

 Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the
Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public
records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations.

Note

This job description is neither definitive nor exhaustive and is not intended to be totally comprehensive. It may
be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. This job
description is to be read in conjunction with all current Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust policies, procedures &
guidelines.

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PERSON SPECIFICATION

ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

 Ability to demonstrate and apply knowledge of  Post qualification experience

KNOWLEDGE & Molecular Pathology of disease
EXPERIENCE
 Experience with specialist techniques
 Demonstrable ability to perform all assays relevant within the discipline the post holder is
to the section in which you work irrespective of expected to work
their complexity

 Participation in the Institute of

 An understanding of the meaning of results to Biomedical Sciences CPD scheme
appropriate action in dealing with abnormal or
unusual results
 ECDL or equivalent

 A working knowledge and practical application of

the department’s IT systems  A minimum of one year’s experience in a
molecular laboratory within a diagnostic
NHS Pathology setting
 Participation in Continual Professional
Development (CPD)

 Knowledge of all H&S issues, relating to the

laboratory activity including National and
European directives.

 Educated to BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences or a  Associate of the Institute of Biomedical

QUALIFICATIONS degree acceptable to the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (AIBMS)
Sciences and the Heath Care Professions Council.
The latter will require a Post Graduate Certificate ,
a Post Graduate Diploma or an MSc in Biomedical  A willingness to undertake study leading
Sciences. Or recognised equivalent Molecular to qualifications required for career
Biology qualification. advancement

 State registration with Health Care

Professions Council as a Biomedical
Scientist or actively working towards
state registration

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APTITUDE &  Excellent communication skills, being able to deal  Good interpersonal skills
ABILITIES with patients and staff at all levels of the
organisation with tact and diplomacy
 Working knowledge of ISOFT iLab & iCM
laboratory information management
 Communicate with company representatives and systems
staff from external organisations including other
NHS Trusts.

 Excellent time management

 Attention to detail

 Accuracy/precision, whilst under pressure

 Manual dexterity

 Keyboard skills with a working knowledge of

laboratory computer systems

 Extended periods of time sat at a computer

terminal

 Self motivated

 Conscientious

 Good hand to eye co-ordination

 Multi-tasking skills

 Mentoring skills

DISPOSITION /  Team worker

ATTITUDE /
MOTIVATION
 Able to work well within a busy environment

 Proactive, takes own initiative

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 Ability to concentrate for long periods

 Able to effectively prioritise urgent work in order

of clinical importance

OTHER FACTORS  Required to work in a an area of biological risk,

frequently exposed to both biological and chemical
hazards

 Required to handle large volumes of consumables

up to a weight of 10Kg on a regular basis

 Flexibility