JOB DESCRIPTION. Principal Clinical Scientist - POCT. Specialist Chemistry, Core Laboratory. Consultant Clinical Scientist/Clinical Lead

Transcription

1 JOB DSCRIPTION Job Title: Location: Reporting to: Liaises with: Principal Clinical Scientist - POCT Specialist Chemistry, Core Laboratory Consultant Clinical Scientist/Clinical Lead Biomedical Scientists in the laboratory, clinicians, other departments and colleagues for the benefit of patient care and maintenance of co-operative relationships Overall Job Purpose: To undertake the scientific duties and responsibilities of a Clinical Scientist in the Specialist Chemistry laboratory in the provision of an effective and high quality service to patients. To collaborate and liaise with other members of the laboratory in all matters necessary to achieve the maximum efficiency of the service. To ensure that the department s trust-wide point-of-care responsibilities operate to UCLH s point-of-care testing policy and to liaise with and advise clinical staff. To be responsible for the day-to-day oversight of near patient testing labs at UCLH - currently intra-operative PTH monitoring, ante-natal biochemical foetal anomaly screening, and HbA1c out-patient analysis. To contribute to the overall strategic direction and development of the clinical biochemistry services and undertake training of junior Clinical Scientists and Biomedical staff in advanced analysis. Main duties To include, but not be restricted to, the following duties: 1. To oversee and, as necessary, undertake all aspects of the day-to-day operation of Clinical Biochemistry working at or above nationally accepted standards i.e. UKAS or equivalent. 2. To supervise the day-to-day planning, organisation, implementation and monitoring of biochemical point-of-care services across the trust, liaising with and advising senior clinical staff from all specialties across the trust, ensuring adherence to the trust s guidelines especially concerning clinical governance. 3. To ensure that the department s point-of-care services (e.g. networked glucose meters, urinalysis, pregnancy testing, HbA1c analysis, fetal fibronectin and ante-natal Down s screening) comply with the trust s point of care guidelines and Clinical Pathology Accreditation guidelines, to include the development and implementation of training programmes, competency assessments, quality assurance and trust-wide standard operating procedures. 4. To liaise with point-of-care providers out-with the trust with whom the trust operates in a network (ante-natal Down s screening and fetal fibronectin). To advise primary care trusts and GPs in their provision of point-of-care services, including the preparation of external quality assessment reports. 5. To recommend changes to the service, drawing up guidelines and protocols in line with trust and national policies and assisting in their implementation. Title: Principal Clinical Scientist POCT Pages: 1 of 7

2 6. To attend management meetings (Clinical, Quality group) in the department of Clinical Biochemistry. To deputise for the consultant biochemist (proteins, endocrinology, point-of-care testing) in other trust meetings as appropriate. 7. To be available to provide advice and help with enquiries, results and problems handled by the staff in proteins, endocrinology and point-of-care. In addition, to check and evaluate work undertaken by the staff to ensure that the quality is satisfactory for clinical reporting. 8. To monitor assay performance, including quality control and assurance and to take appropriate corrective action where the need is identified. 9. To ensure the equipment has been appropriately maintained and is safely used. 10. To ensure Standard Operating Procedures are up to date and followed to ensure exemplary results are obtained. 11..To present and discuss laboratory data at MDT meetings. 12. To participate in the Duty Biochemist and sendaway rotas. 13. To advise users on the interpretation of biochemistry results, offering advice on differential diagnosis and monitoring therapy and disease progression and, where appropriate, requesting additional tests and liaising with other laboratories and clinical staff. 14. To develop and undertake specialist assays provided as part of the Clinical Biochemistry service and also for on-going service development. 15. To prepare and validate new lots of in-house calibrants and assay validation to C standards. 16. To undertake checks to ensure correct functioning of analysers and advise on scheduling of planned servicing of analytical equipment. 17. To assess quality assurance data and to suggest modification of analytical methods and procedures as appropriate to ensure reliable and clinically valid results. 18. To contribute to the evaluation and implementation of new methods to enhance the service offer. 19. To critically evaluate published developments and innovations. 20. To publish research and development findings in appropriate media, and to present these to scientists, clinicians and other appropriate staff at local and national meetings. 21. To organise and participate in audit activities that benefit clinical and scientific practice in the trust, for example, audit the department s point-of-care services and present reports to clinical lead users such as the chief nurse, sisters and medical staff. 22. To handle complaints from consultant colleagues, GPs or patients as a result of incorrect or delayed results. To offer clinical guidance and scientific advice and assistance to hospital physicians and GPs on the selection, performance and limitations of clinically relevant tests. To contact hospital clinicians or GPs about unexpected abnormal results. Training and ducation 1. To assist in the practical and theoretical training of members of the technical team and preregistration scientists in consultation with the Training Officer and/or Group Lead Clinical Scientist. 2. To undertake teaching, competency and induction of relevant new staff in conjunction and to be actively involved in staff meetings and seminars. 3. To supervise R&D projects undertaken by trainee clinical scientists and BMS staff. 4. To keep abreast of current developments in the field and attend courses and meetings as relevant. Title: Principal Clinical Scientist POCT Pages: 2 of 7

3 5. To continue own personal and professional development by participation in a recognised CPD scheme. To maintain registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To enhance own general knowledge of Clinical Biochemistry and work towards achieving FRCPath. Title: Principal Clinical Scientist POCT Pages: 3 of 7

4 General Duties To become familiar with the day to day organisation of the Laboratory as it affects your work. You should be aware of the functions of the members of staff in the Laboratory as they affect your work. To attend laboratory meetings as required. To undertake such work as you are assigned in a careful and efficient way and in compliance with current quality standards, regulatory requirements and the HSL Quality Management System. To communicate in a friendly, helpful and non-prejudicial manner in your dealings with staff, clients and / or customers as you will be regarded as a representative of your Laboratory as well as the Company, and you should behave accordingly. Matters regarding patients are confidential and must not be discussed except in the course of your duties. You will be expected to sign an undertaking to observe all patient and Company confidentiality. To be aware of and abide by the rules and codes of the Laboratory. This includes all core HR policies such as absence reporting, requesting of annual leave, and is particularly important in the case of Health and Safety and Fire procedures (please see below). To behave in a professional manner and co-operate with all other members of staff at all times. You will be trained for the work you are expected to do. Do not attempt any work unless you have been signed off as competent to do so. These competencies must be maintained and reviewed. You should communicate any difficulties, problems, accidents or incidents affecting the department as soon as possible to a section leader/manager. To adhere to and to positively promote the HSL Core Values To maintain high standards of work within your Laboratory. Other duties as assigned by the line manager. ANNUAL JOINT RVIW Your performance will be continually assessed for competence, development and training needs and formally reviewed annually at a Training and Development Review. This will allow you to contribute to the corporate objectives of the department and HSL. HALTH AND SAFTY To be familiar and competent with procedures for dealing with the safe handling of biological and chemical materials in a laboratory environment. To be familiar and competent with procedures to deal with biological and chemical spillages in a safe manner. To be familiar and competent with procedures for the safe use of equipment used in the laboratory environment. QUALITY STANDARDS To uphold the Quality Management System by understanding and observing the quality policies and procedures. To understand and perform all work in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures in order to ensure compliance with all local and national standards of work practice, e.g. Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) Ltd. To comply with HSL policies pertinent to Clinical Governance and Risk Management. To ensure quality control and assurance procedures are followed. Title: Principal Clinical Scientist POCT Pages: 4 of 7

5 To identify opportunities to improve efficiency in own area. To assist in the establishment, maintenance and review of the quality management system To ensure analytical accuracy and confidentiality of results observing rules laid down by the Data Protection Act. To communicate any difficulties or problems to senior staff/manager promptly To participate in the agreed audit programme as required. DUCATION AND TRAINING To provide support for less experienced colleagues as requested. To review and agree personal development, educational and training needs with the department Training Officer and appropriate Line Manager. To maintain own personal development portfolio and training records. CONFIDNTIALITY AND DATA PROTCTION You have a responsibility to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and to maintain confidentiality of staff, patients and Trust business. If you are required to process information, you should do so in a fair and lawful way, ensuring accuracy is maintained. You should hold information only for the specific registered purpose and not use or disclose it in any way incompatible with such a purpose. You should disclose information only to authorised persons or organisations as instructed. Breaches of confidentiality in relation to information will result in disciplinary action, which may include dismissal. mployees are expected to comply with all HSL policies and procedures and to work in accordance of the Data Protection Act For those posts where there is management or supervision of other staff it is the responsibility of that employee to ensure that their staff receive appropriate training CONFLICT OF INTRST HSL is responsible for ensuring that the services provided to NHS institutions for patients in their care meet the highest standards. qually, it is responsible for ensuring that staff do not abuse their official position, to gain or benefit themselves, their family or friends. QUALITY AND DIVRSITY HSL values equality and diversity in employment and in the services we provide. It is committed to promoting equality and diversity in employment and will keep our policies and procedures under review to ensure that the job related needs of all staff working in HSL are recognised. Selection for training and development and promotion will be on the basis of the individual s ability to meet the requirements for the job. You are responsible for ensuring that HSL s policies, procedures and obligation in respect of promoting equality and diversity are adhered to in relation to both staff and services. STANDARDS OF DRSS All staff are expected to abide by guidance on standards of dress. Title: Principal Clinical Scientist POCT Pages: 5 of 7

6 Person Specification Clinical Scientist Specialist Chemistry Attributes Requirements /D vidence Qualifications 1 st /2 nd class BSc in Biochemistry or related subject or assessed equivalent of knowledge and expertise Masters degree or assessed equivalent of knowledge and expertise in speciality of Clinical Biochemistry PhD and/or track record of research To be registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a clinical scientist Part I examination for FRC Path D D Application documents/ Application documents / interview xperience Postgraduate experience relevant to clinical science and substantial supervised in-service experience Completion of STP/Grade A training vidence of participation in Audit and Development activities Demonstration of continuing professional development To have experience in proteins, endocrinology and point-of-care testing D Skills and Abilities Ability to apply scientific principles and clinical knowledge to the interpretation and reporting of clinical chemistry test results. xcellent technical skills/ trouble-shooting Good oral and written communication skills Able to provide teaching and training to junior colleagues, students and other healthcare workers Able to prepare and present scientific and clinical information at meetings xcellent organisational and time management skills Able to advise clinical staff on routine biochemical investigations and their interpretation Personal Qualities Able to communicate effectively in nglish with people at all levels Demonstrate professionalism and a customerfocused attitude Calm under pressure Punctual and reliable Helpful, friendly and polite Flexible, highly motivated, effective team player; committed to the corporate quality objectives Commercially aware Commitment to working the hours required to fulfil the job, including flexibility of working Ability to work accurately and with attention to detail Able to maintain self control in difficult and challenging situations, display professional work ethic, reliable, flexible and work well in a team and references Other Commitment to further continuing education and professional development To recognise and adhere to limits of own responsibilities Title: Principal Clinical Scientist POCT Pages: 6 of 7

7 This job description is subject to amendment in response to the changing needs of the department and company requirements. This job description will be reviewed as part of the Annual Staff Review. I have read and understood and agree with this job description and confirm that I have been provided with a copy for my own records. mployee: Signed: Date: Manager: Signed: Date: Title: Principal Clinical Scientist POCT Pages: 7 of 7