Job Description

1. JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Biomedical Science Assistant-Higher Level

Grade: Band 3

Responsible to: SYB Head of Pathology

Reports to: Laboratory Manager via line management

Location: Site to be added at point of recruitment

2. JOB PURPOSE

• To deliver scientific/ technical procedures, under the direction of the responsible healthcare
scientist practitioner.
• Performs a number of healthcare science / scientific activities, under the indirect
supervision/direction of a suitably qualified practitioner.
• Pre-analytical processing of samples to include the receipt, preparation, and processing.
• Store, retrieve and dispose of biological material according to the relevant procedures.
• Deal with direct queries from Medical Staff, Nursing Staff and other Service Users including
telephone enquiries and taking appropriate action as necessary.
• Assist in maintaining high scientific and technical standards.
• Promote and maintain a high standard of relevant education and training.
• Adhere to all Trust and departmental policies.
Maintains clinical records in relation to activities carried out and may input/ interrogate test
results of others.
• May be required to supervise, organise, and allocate work and/ or train less experienced
staff in own area.

3. ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT

SYB Pathology is a partnership between the five Acute Trusts within the ICS footprint, hosted by
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. By coming together as a single service SYB Pathology will ensure all
patients and clinicians across the ICS footprint receive equitable access to high quality, innovative
pathology services, providing the best clinical outcomes. The partnership will ensure SYBP improves
health outcomes, drives research and innovation, delivers efficiencies and ensures a sustainable
workforce, providing job satisfaction and career progression opportunities for all staff.

PROUD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

SHEFFIELD TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

Chief Executive: Kirsten Major, Chair: Annette Laban

 Microbiology

The SYB Microbiology department provides a complete analytical and diagnostic service that assists
in the diagnosis of infections in inpatients, outpatients, and General Practitioners across SYB. It also
offers specialist testing to other hospitals outside the SYBP network.

4. DEPARTMENTAL/DIRECTORATE ORGANISATIONAL CHART

Clinical Director

Scientific Director Operations Director

Head of Pathology

Microbiology Discipline Lead

Laboratory Manager

Deputy Laboratory Manager

Advanced Biomedical Scientist

Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Trainee BMS
Registered Biomedical Scientist

Biomedical Science Associate Practitioner / Biomedical Assistant Team Leader

Biomedical Science Assistant - Higher Level

5. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

All Laboratories:

• Performs a number of healthcare science / scientific activities, under the indirect

supervision/direction of a suitably qualified practitioner.
• Work in line with all prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Policies as directed
and be involved in the review process.
• Work to the defined quality standards for all aspects of the service, e.g. UKAS Accreditation
to ISO:15189 and all the standards this encompasses.
• Work in a safe manner in accordance with service, Directorate and Trust health and safety
policies.

PROUD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

SHEFFIELD TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

Chief Executive: Kirsten Major, Chair: Annette Laban

 • To undertake appropriate ‘in service’ training over an extended period and complete training
log-sheets in all relevant areas of the department.
• Receipt and safe handling of specimens for diagnosis including high risk and radioactive
specimens including relevant sample integrity checks.
• Store and dispose of human samples, tissues and fetal remains according to local and
national guidelines.
• Perform data entry into the LIMS ensuring data matches with information held in Healthcare
databases.
• Undertake the retrieval/appropriate updating of records using the Laboratory Information
Management System.
• Respond to telephone enquiries by undertaking retrieval of results from the Laboratory
Computer System and to communicate authorised results to appropriate requesters in line
with Departmental procedures receiving and acting upon notifications of urgent requests,
giving information on correct sample types and sample containers and redirecting call as
appropriate.
• Prioritise work to ensure correct workflow through the laboratory and ensure urgent tests are
processed according to SOP.
• Ensure all procedures are performed efficiently within the assigned time and in accordance
with established protocols to the required standards.
• Participate in stock receipt, control, and rotation, highlighting low stocks to relevant BMS.
• File and retrieve biological material pre and post analysis including the long-term storage of
a proportion of samples.
• Perform the processing and packaging of samples for transportation to other laboratories
following local protocols.
• Prepare solutions according to SOP, adhere to COSHH regulations including safe disposal of
chemicals/ reagent.
• Assist in monitoring quality standards and perform audit as required.
• Assist with aspects of health and safety monitoring and risk assessments.
• Assist with the cleaning and decontamination of laboratory equipment and benches.
• Assist in planned research and development.
• Assist in equipment maintenance.
• Concentrate for extended periods of time whilst performing scientific analysis in order to avoid
non recoverable procedural errors involving clinical requests.
• Concentrate for extended periods of time whilst performing data entry in order to avoid
transcription errors when transferring data onto the LIMS.
• Deliver appropriate staff training.eg to demonstrate working procedures and communicate
their own knowledge and understanding to others, e.g. the interpretation of Request Form
details including recognition of medical terminology in the laboratory context and synonyms
used for laboratory tests.
• Participate in departmental 7-day shift patterns to enable effective service delivery.
• Take responsibility for own personal development and training.
• Participate in annual appraisal process.
• Contribute to technical/scientific discussions on service/policy development.
• Demonstrate a positive flexible attitude to the work of the service, members of the service
team and service users.

PROUD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

SHEFFIELD TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

Chief Executive: Kirsten Major, Chair: Annette Laban

 Microbiology:

• To receive, sort, organize and distribute samples to relevant areas of the laboratory
including the referral/redirection of samples to other SYB pathology sites as appropriate.
• Ensure that all samples are received, checked processed and cultured within assigned time
frames and in accordance with established SOPs and test algorithms. This will include the
interpretation of clinical details to ensure appropriate culture media and antibiotic discs are
included.
• To process a large range of clinical and environmental samples including but not limited to
bloods, swabs, faeces, environmental water (birthing pools, cooling systems, general
supply), body fluids (urine, CSF, joint fluids, saliva, vomit, semen) respiratory (bronche-
alveola lavage, naso-pharyngeal aspirates, sputum),tissues (skin, nails, bone, biopsy,
resection and amputation).
• To perform the routine culture of all sample types received within the department including
media selection.
• Perform routine microbiological techniques including but not limited to pre culture
preparation and processing, correct incubation (temp and environment), sub culturing and
antibiotic susceptibility testing.
• Perform and understand the application of a variety of Microbiological staining techniques.
• Ensure all assigned bench, identification and diagnostic tests are performed efficiently within
the assigned time and in accordance with established protocols to the required standards.
• To Assist the BMS in processing all environmental and clinical samples.
• To perform the running, IQC and troubleshooting of various pieces of equipment within the
laboratory.
• To perform the routine daily, weekly and monthly maintenance of various pieces of
equipment within the laboratory.
• To assist with the training of less experienced staff on the operation and maintenance of
various pieces of equipment within the laboratory.
• Operate and assist in monitoring a range of microbiology safety equipment.
• Prepare solutions according to SOP, adhere to COSHH regulations including safe disposal
of chemicals/reagents.
• Safely handle reagents required for microbiological techniques.
• Store and dispose of samples and culture materials according to local and national
guidelines.
• To concentrate for extended periods of time to ensure accuracy and correct processing of
large repetitive workloads.
• To undertake appropriate duties, as listed above, working within the Microbiology
Containment level 3 suites involving processing samples and cultures that will contain
Human Pathogen Hazard group 3 Microorganisms (as listed by HSE Advisory Committee on
Dangerous Pathogens).
• To participate in the routine shift rotas ensuring a core hour 7-day service provision.

6. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES (including estimated size of budget)

• Assist in maintaining stock levels.

PROUD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

SHEFFIELD TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

Chief Executive: Kirsten Major, Chair: Annette Laban

 7. HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES (including numbers and grades of
staff)

• Delegated line management duties as appropriate.

• Demonstrate working procedures to Trainee Biomedical Scientists and other trainees as
requirements appropriate.
• Complete mandatory training

8. ASSET MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES (i.e. stock, equipment, buildings)

• To contribute to the care, maintenance, security and tidiness of premises and equipment.
• To perform regular stock checks as appropriate and to maintain adequate stocks by bringing
to the attention of the Line Manager any shortages.

9. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS (please identify the main personnel with whom the post holder will
be required to communicate with and advise internally and externally)

a) Communicate with:
• Laboratory Management
• Medical Staff and Clinical Scientist Staff
• Biomedical Scientists
• Secretarial/Clerical Staff
• Biomedical Support Staff
• Staff in other directorates and departments
• Patients where appropriate
• Outside agencies and healthcare workers
• Service users

b) Provide advice to:

• Secretarial/Clerical Staff
• Biomedical Support Staff
• Service users

This job description is not meant to be finite and may be changed subject to the exigencies of the service.
Similarly the post-holder may be requested to undertake such other duties not mentioned in the job description
which are commensurate with the grade.

Continue on a separate sheet if necessary

Chapter 1 We are committed to our responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 and encourage equal
opportunities, diversity and flexibility within our workforce

PROUD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

SHEFFIELD TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

Chief Executive: Kirsten Major, Chair: Annette Laban