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ISLE OF MAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Specialist Biomedical Scientist
Chemical Pathology
Location:
Accountable to:
Pathology Directorate Manager
Reports to:
Chief Biomedical Scientist (BMS3)
Pay Band:
6
Job Evaluation
Reference No:
0177v2/JE/10
Organisation Chart:
(attached)
JOB PURPOSE
1. To carry out specialist investigations on samples of tissue and body fluids to diagnose
disease and monitor the treatment of patients eg. blood enzymes are measured as
these are released from heart muscles after a heart attack or a raised blood sugar can
be indicative of diabetes.
2. Assist in the provision of reliable and accurate analytical data for the Trust, in
accordance with Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) standards
3. To work as part of a team of Biomedical Scientists, on a rotational basis, to deliver,
within budget, a patient-orientated medical laboratory service to contribute to efficient
and effective care.
4. To provide specialist advice to clinicians as to the appropriateness of tests and
timescales
5. To have attained specialist knowledge in Clinical Biochemistry through a minimum of
two years experience as a State Registered Biomedical Scientist working in a Clinical
Biochemistry laboratory.
6. To work on the „on call‟ rota presently consisting of 17 staff working 1 in 11 shifts. This
is across four disciplines: chemical pathology, haematology, blood transfusion and
microbiology.
7. To provide assistance in the maintenance and quality control of „point of care‟ blood
gases situated outside of the laboratory and to train all grades of medical and nursing
staff in the use of these analysers.
KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
1. Knowledge Gained through formal Qualifications
Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) accredited BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
degree or equivalent in a single discipline .
And
Certificate of Competence for Health Professional Council (HPC) Registration
File: Chief Exec/Pay Modernisation/Draft & Approved documents/Job descriptions
And
IBMS Specialist Diploma (discipline specific and awarded after completion of laboratory
based training programme equivalent to two years practice, and assessment of training
portfolio).
2. Knowledge Gained through Experience
 Minimum of 2 years post-registration experience as a practicing Biomedical Scientist.

A high level of specialist knowledge gained from theoretical and practical experience
following completion of BSc qualification. eg Analyser training course provided by
manufacturers (some off-island) ,symposia,user groups and accredited training courses

Basic IT skills for the use and maintenance of laboratory equipment and for the daily
use of the laboratory information systems.
Ability to act as a lone practitioner in the delivery of a 24 hour multidisciplinary
pathology service encompassing the disciplines of Blood Transfusion, Clinical chemistry,
Haematology and Microbiology. This is outwith the skills and expertise normally
associated with a specialist Biomedical Scientist and is acquired through a period of inhouse training (6months).

3. Clinical/ Technical Skills
A wide range of specialist knowledge, understanding and skills including:
 Safe and correct handling of specimens eg high risk samples and precious
samples such as CSF or neonatal samples.
 Health and safety eg specimen handling, reagent handling, equipment.
 Information and data handling with confidentiality eg personal information,
clinical information concerning HIV positive patients.
 Quality assurance and audit eg efficacy of samples, prevention of errors.
 Interpretive skills eg understanding significance of results and when to request
further testing.
 Hand – eye dexterity when adjusting/calibrating delicate machinery and
processing of samples. Manual dexterity when plating CSF samples „on call‟ for
the investigation of Meningitis.
 Experience to act independently to analyse and interpret complex results in a
professional manner and adding further investigations if required.
4. Teaching Skills
 The post holder may be required to train junior staff in the
theoretical and practical use of analysers and/or sample handling for
efficiency throughout the laboratory: eg MLA‟s, trainee or newly
qualified BMS‟s and „on-call‟ staff.
 The post holder may be required to train all grades of nursing staff
and medical staff in the use and quality control of „point of care‟
analysers to ensure that accurate and reliable results are produced.
5. Interpersonal Skills
Ability to communicate with other staff and service users including a wide range of
health professionals, clerical staff and members of the public in a professional and
sympathetic manner.
The ability to communicate sympathetically in both patients (young children) as well as
their parents/guardians whilst performing sweat tests on childrens ward.
Ability to communicate scientific data using plain English in order to ensure that results
are fully understood.
Ability to produce advice and guidance to both newly registered and trainee BMS‟s and
„on-call staff‟ in a manner that is clear and appropriate.
Ability to provide advice and guidance to medical staff eg sampling times for
therapeutic drugs.
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The ability to communicate with all grades of medical and nursing staff in the use of
„point of care‟ blood gas analysers.
Developed communication skills – to deal directly and effectively with medical and
nursing staff, using empathy and persuasive skills to diffuse situations as needed
(routinely and on call).
6. IT Skills (Physical Skills)
Keyboard skills are required to use the laboratory computer system (inputting tests,
reference ranges, audit trails and validation of results).
Ability to produce reports.
Ability to use and produce Excel worksheets using Microsoft Office.
Ability to use computer driven analysers and other laboratory equipment in order to
select appropriate tests and processes as required.
Ability to troubleshoot in the event of analyser/equipment breakdown.
Ability to manipulate small parts or work in very small spaces to maintain or perform
repairs on analysers.
MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
 Scientific & Technical
1. Works independently to analyse clinical specimens utilising manual, semiautomated and automated laboratory equipment involving direct contact with
various bodily fluids eg blood, urine, pleural fluid and faeces.
2. Maintains a good knowledge of all areas within their discipline by rotation.
3. Assist in the assessment of current practices and possible development of new
ones to improve efficiency.
4. Contributes to the updating and generation of departmental Standard Operating
Procedures (SOP).
5. Records the results of all investigations undertaken on the laboratory computer
system and issues reports after validation of results.
6. Maintains an awareness of current scientific trends and developments to ensure
the highest possible patient care.
7. Contributes to the training of trainee and junior Biomedical Scientists as well as
„on-call‟ staff.
8. Supervises junior staff to ensure that work is carried out in accordance with
departmental Standard Operating Procedures
9. Processes quality control material (to check validity and accuracy of analytical
procedures) and reports results in accordance within departmental protocols as
per SOP.
10. Practices as an experienced specialist state registered biomedical scientist
performing a wide range of routine, specialist and highly specialised pathological
analyses.
11. Utilises specialist knowledge skills in the diagnosis of disease eg electrophoresis.
12. Good manual dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination when calibrating equipment
eg pipettes and analysers.
13. Operates and maintains highly complex analytical equipment in optimum
operational condition, have the necessary expertise and technique to troubleshoot
and repair equipment for optimal use. If outside of own expertise report to senior
staff.
14. Applies professional judgement, developed specialist knowledge and skills to
technically difficult or complex situations within the laboratory. For example
protein electrophoresis or drugs of abuse testing will involve staff interpreting
complex patterns and adding appropriate interpretive comments as part of the
diagnostic procedure.
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15. Interprets and reports complex tests (eg protein electrophoresis) and carries out
appropriate further analysis on the basis of these results using current knowledge
and protocols.
16. Telephone any abnormal or urgent results to appropriate clinician.
17. Check integrity of samples before analysis for lipaemia, haemolysis and sufficient
volume.
18. Ability to react promptly to service demands such as clinical emergencies (urgent
samples), major accidents (MAJAX), equipment failure or IT failure.
19. Decontamination of equipment, benches and analysers during breakdown to make
ready for engineer visits or other support staff that may need to take equipment
away for repair or replacement.
20. Deputise for BMS2 in their absence eg electrophoresis for the identification of
myeloma.
21. Performs sweat tests independently on the childrens ward (involves the
application of a small electrical charge and chemicals directly to neonates and
young childrens skins) as an aid to diagnosing Cystic Fibrosis.
22. Performs quality control checks and routine maintenance on „point of care‟ blood
gas analysers situated in ward 10, 16 and ITU. Ability to repair these analysers
and replace parts as required. Be on hand at all times throughout the normal
working day and occasional out of hours to perform remedial services on these
analysers in the event of technical breakdown.
CLINICAL
1. The post holder works as part of a team of health professionals to provide a timely
and accurate clinical pathology service.
2. The post holder works independently within departmental protocols, offering advise to
junior members of staff (newly qualified BMS, Trainee BMS, MLA) and refers to senior
staff only when interpretation of results is outside of his/her experience.
3. The post holder maintains accurate clinical records in the laboratory computer system.
4. The post holder is required to deliver training to the multidisciplinary on-call team in
order to enable the team to provide a high quality of service at all times.
5. Apply specialist knowledge and highly specialised interpretive skills to first line
laboratory results or requests made by the users of the service so that appropriate
action is taken in line with policies and procedures eg authorisation of results,
ordering relevant follow up procedures, adding technical and approved pre-defined
clinically relevant comments or offering advice regarding appropriateness of requests
and interpretation of results.
6. Communicate with external centres such as reference laboratories to ensure that
results are received and issued to requesting clinicians in a timely manner.
7. As part of the “on-call” team, participates in the delivery of an “out-of-hours”
multidisciplinary pathology service; interpreting and authorising results and providing
advice in disciplines outside of the normal area of expertise.
PROFESSIONAL
1. Maintains State Registration with the Health Professionals Council
2. Conforms to the HPC Code of Conduct for Biomedical Scientists
3. Practises Continuing Professional Development
4. Maintains a high professional attitude to the general public, other Health Professionals
and colleagues within the Directorate of Pathology.
TRAINING, EDUCATION & RESEARCH
1. On the job training to junior BMS‟s and „on-call‟ staff up to the required level using
both theory and practice to develop skills for their independent participation in Delivers
the on-call rota.
2. Delivers training to MLA‟s eg data entry of requests, preparation of specimens,
equipment use (centrifuges).
3. Develops and evaluates new techniques, methodologies and equipment as part of the
team.
4. To actively participate in such forms of study that can be used as evidence of
File: Chief Exec/Pay Modernisation/Draft & Approved documents/Job descriptions
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Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and that could be implemented to
improve patient care.
5. To actively participate in annual performance and development appraisals and
complete objectives.
6. Investigate by means of literature or bench investigations, products and procedures
that could be introduced routinely for improved service and more effective or efficient
techniques.
7. Actively participate in any research and development as required by the BMS3.
8. To keep abreast of scientific advances and investigate new techniques or
instrumentation which may require off-island training.
9. Compliance with training/education policies of the department and directorate.
10. To train all grades of medical and nursing in the safe use of „point of care‟ blood gas
analysers.
11. The post holder is required to undertake “in-house” training relating to acquisition of
the skills required to participate in the multidisciplinary “on-call” service. This is
ongoing ie.assessment of competence is undertaken in each discipline every 6 months.
PLANNING & ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS
1. Organises own workload in allocated area on a day to day basis ensuring analyses is
completed and reported in a timely manner.
2. Organises workload of any trainee or newly qualified BMS‟s.
3. Prioritise workload whenever urgent samples arrive.
4. Ensure adequate stocks of all consumables and reagents are available and that expiry
dates are not exceeded.
5. Ensure that patient and workplace records are kept up to date and stored safely to
ensure compliance with good working practice as stated in the Clinical Laboratory
Accreditation guidelines.
6. They will be expected to use professional judgement and technical expertise to monitor
the appropriateness of investigations requested (out of hours).
7. The ability to prioritise workload whilst working independently out of hours (on call).
MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP
1. Leadership and good communication skills are required when working with junior staff.
2. Professional decorum should be maintained at all times to provide good leadership
qualities.
3. Participation in the induction of new staff in order to allow them to familiarise
themselves with the computer system and environment.
4. To participate in the formulation of SOP‟s and new developments keeping abreast of
new techniques and instrumentation.
5. To assist in the investigation of revenue saving procedures and cost effectiveness of
service delivery whilst maintaining the highest quality of service.
CLINICAL GOVERNANCE
1. The post holder is required to attend departmental meetings in order to contribute to
discussions relating to the development of protocols and procedures.
2. The post holder is expected to contribute to the development of good practice by
ensuring accurate and usable SOP‟s are readily available for all staff including on-call
staff. This will include writing and regularly reviewing SOP‟s to maintain accuracy.
3. Assist in the implementation of new working practices as defined by the line manager.
4. Ensure that all analyses are performing to expected standards by monitoring both
internal and external (eg NEQAS) controls.
5. Inform BMS3 of any untoward incidents and complete untoward incident forms as
required and to assist with any learning objectives as identified.
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SYSTEMS & EQUIPMENT
1. Utilises and sets-up laboratory equipment according to manufacturers‟ guidelines and
within the principles of health and safety.
2. Maintains equipment to safe standards and ensures by the use of quality control
material that accurate, reproducible and precise results are issued. Either in-house or
commercial control materials may be used for this purpose.
3. Troubleshoot and carry out routine maintenance of expensive equipment following
protocols and procedures.
4. Liaise with the computer manager to maintain the laboratory computer system and
ensure performance and integrity is maintained.
5. Has a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office which allows the production of policies,
procedures and spreadsheets.
6. Has a detailed knowledge of the laboratory information system in order to aid clinicians
when obtaining computer based results.
7. In areas outside of their expertise, at the earliest opportunity pass any IT
problems/issues on to the computer manager.
8. Participates in the evaluation, commissioning and decommissioning of equipment as
directed by the BMS3.
9. Manipulates precision instruments eg pipettes, microscopes and analysers.
10. Ability to utilise, calibrate and identify performance issues of laboratory analysers in the
multidisciplinary environment of the “out-of-hours” service.
DECISIONS & JUDGEMENTS
1. The post holder works independently within defined departmental protocols utilising
professional judgement in the interpretation of complex test results referring to a senior
BMS when assistance is required.
2. Validate and authorise all results pertaining to individuals own work ensuring audit trails
are correct.
3. Prioritises workloads on a daily basis to ensure that reports are issued in a timely
manner. Finalises reports for distribution to clinicians.
4. Discusses with clinicians any problems in normal service in an attempt to organise
workloads to ensure minimum disruption to patient care.
5. Identification and implementation of any further analyses following initial results.
6. Acts autonomously during delivery of the “out-of-hours” multidisciplinary service using
own professional judgement within the directorate and professional policies and
guidelines in order to interpret and authorise results and to provide advice to clinicians.
Only refers clinicians to the duty Consultant Pathologist when queries are outside of
own area of expertise and experience.
CONFIDENTIALITY
In the course of your duties you may have access to confidential material about patients,
members of staff or other business of the Department.
On no account must information relating to identifiable patients be divulged to anyone other
than authorised persons, for example, medical, nursing or other professional staff, as
appropriate, who are concerned directly with the care, diagnosis and /or treatment of the
patient.
If you are in any doubt whatsoever as to the authority of a person or body asking for
information of this nature, you must seek advice from your manager.
Similarly, no information of a personal or confidential nature concerning individual members of
staff should be divulged to anyone without the proper authority having first been given. Failure
to observe these rules will be regarded by your employers as gross misconduct which could
result in disciplinary action being taken against you.
In the case of information held on computer systems, you may be held personally liable if you
in any way knowingly contravene the appropriate terms of the Data Protection Act 2002.
Compliance with departmental and directorate confidentiality policy.
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HEALTH & SAFETY/SECURITY
It is the duty of all employees to work in such a way that accidents to themselves and to others
are avoided, and to co-operate in maintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition,
thereby minimising risk.
Employees will, therefore, refer any matters of concern through their respective line managers.
Similarly, it is each person‟s responsibility to ensure a secure environment and bring any
breaches of security to the attention of their managers.
Warning fellow colleagues of any known high risk specimens eg HIV or Hep B positive
specimens, thus ensuring extra care be taken with these samples.
Compliance with departmental and directorate health and safety policy.
Ensure safety of any visitors to the laboratory eg, representatives of companies, domestic staff
and porters.
JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
I have read and agree with the content of this job description, and
accept that the role will be reviewed annually as part of the
development review process.
Job Holder’s name (please print) ………………………………….
Date: ………………….
Job Holder’s signature: ………………………………………………
Line Manager’s name (please print) ……………………………...
Date: ………………….
Line Manager’s signature: …………………………………………..
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7
Isle of Man Department of Health
Organisation Chart
Directorate
Manager
(BMS 4)
Chief
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS3
IT Manager
Medical
Laboratory
Assistants
(5 posts)
Chief
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS3
Microbilogy
Chief
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS3
Clinical
Chemistry
Chief
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS3
Histopathology
Chief
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS3
Blood
Transfusion
Chief
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS3
Haematology
Chief
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS3
Immunoserology
Senior
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS2
(2 Posts)
Senior
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS2
(4 Posts)
Senior
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS2
(1 Vacant)
Senior
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS 2
(2 Posts
1 currently
vacant)
Senior
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS 2
(2 Posts)
Senior
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS 2
(1 Post)
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS 1
(5 posts +1
Trainee)
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS 1
(2 Posts)
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS 1
(2 Posts?)
File: Chief Exec/Pay Modernisation/Draft & Approved documents/Job descriptions
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS 1
(1 Post)
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS 1
(2 Posts)
Biomedical
Scientist
BMS 1
(1 Post|)
8
ISLE OF MAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
PATHOLOGY DIRECTORATE
Specialist Biomedical Scientist
PERSON SPECIFICATION
CRITERIA
FOR
SELECTION
(Justifiable as necessary for
safe
and
effective
performance)
ESSENTIAL
REQUIREMENTS
(A clear definition for the
necessary criteria)
DESIRABLE
REQUIREMENTS
(Where available, elements
that
contribute
to
improved/immediate
performance in the job)
METHOD
OF
ASSESSMENT
(Application, CV, Portfolio,
Certificates,
References,
Interview)
QUALIFICATIONS

Evidence of extended
practice eg IBMS Quality
Assurance
Certificates
CV
Knowledge of a specialist
area eg Chemical Pathology
Training Portfolio
CV


KNOWLEDGE
EXPERIENCE
SKILLS & ABILITIES
&
BSc (Hons) Biomedical
Science
IBMS Specialist Diploma
Registration with HPC
2 years practice
registrant with HPC
as
a
Scientific & Technical skills
associated with registered
BMS.
Good eye hand coordination.
File: Chief Exec/Pay Modernisation/Draft & Approved documents/Job descriptions
LINK TO KNOWLEDGE &
SKILLS FRAMEWORK
References
CV
9
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
OTHER
RELEVANT
REQUIREMENTS





Good interpersonal skills
Good
communication
skills
References
Interview
CV
Portfolio
File: Chief Exec/Pay Modernisation/Draft & Approved documents/Job descriptions
10