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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

 To be involved in all aspects of the day-to-day operation to UKAS standards of the Clinical Haematology (Blood Sciences) Laboratory with appropriate technical support. This will include:
- Running and maintenance of specialised instrumentation as required;
- Using relevant Pathology and Trust IT systems (e.g. LIMS, ICE);
- Performance monitoring and EQA;
- Demand management of haematology assays and subsets of blood transfusion requests;
- Training of pre-registration Clinical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists and others as appropriate.

 As a Clinical Scientist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The post holder will provide appropriate advice and result interpretation on the tests performed within the department under the overall supervision of the Haematology Consultant.

To be responsible for clinical oversight of tests, changes to tests and newly introduced tests within the laboratory service pertinent to Haematology.

To review the impact of changes on existing clinical guidelines and to develop new guidelines where required.

To be the clinical lead for quality control in liaison with the senior team.

To contribute to the development and selection of analytical methods employed and to maintain awareness of their reactions, limitations and causes of interference or error. This knowledge is essential for the validation of reports, identifying errors and explaining anomalous results to clinical staff.

 To be involved in a medium-term service development and enhancement including:
- Setting of service standards for the laboratory, particularly those related to automated testing;
- Participation in clinical audit within Clinical Haematology (Blood Sciences) and in liaison with other departments;
- Attending Clinical Haematology (Blood Sciences) Senior Staff Meetings;
- Equipment selection and evaluation;
- Evaluation and implementation of new methods;
- Making recommendations on clinical protocols;
- Evaluation of published developments and innovations;
- Regular research and development.

Where delegated, to be responsible for the formulation and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures [SOP] for the department utilising the Document Management Module of the Q-Pulse system.

Participate in the general clinical support rota during the working day under the supervision of the Haematology Consultant. This includes clinical validation of haematology results and dealing with telephone enquiries concerning the use and interpretation of pathology tests.

To contribute on matters of quality assurance related to laboratory analysis and to take appropriate action when errors are identified.

To use patterns of abnormalities in laboratory results together with clinical details on a patient and general clinical knowledge and experience to formulate advice on differential diagnoses and the appropriateness of treatment.

To maintain an up-to-date knowledge in procedures associated with clinical haematology in order to give scientific and clinical advice.

To ensure clinical incidents and complaints are reported and investigated.

To communicate verbally and in written reports the results of scientific investigations to clinicians and other healthcare professionals.

Participate in local and National training and to work towards professional qualification e.g. FRCPath. The Trust will provide appropriate study leave and support, as this is a training post.

Participate in national activities, where requested.

In order to fulfil the requirements of the post a period of secondment to a specialist laboratory may be necessary.

 Attend appropriate clinical meetings including outpatients’ clinics and wards of specialised interest. This will comprise adult and neonatal intensive care and Haematology’s outpatient clinics.

To bring to the attention of the laboratory manager and Haematology Consultant any problems or difficulties encountered in the performance of their duties.

To participate in evidence based training and maintain a level of knowledge to fulfil this role through Continual Professional Development [CPD] for retention of HCPC Registered Clinical Scientist status.

Bridge the gap between the clinical team and the laboratory and offer opportunities to interact with users of the Service.

To participate in repatriation of assays and enhancement of testing repertoire within the laboratory.

Be the first point of call for GPs and clinicians (particularly junior doctors) to ask advice and guidance regarding interpretation of test results, referral to Haematology outpatient clinics, and tests requirement prior to the clinic appointment. This will prevent unnecessary referrals and ensure Consultants have relevant results when seeing a new patient in clinic.

To attend an annual appraisal from your line manager.

Undertake other duties commensurate with the post as directed.

N.B. This job may involve the manual handling of heavy loads, for which training will be given. If there is any reason why you should not do this, it is your responsibility to inform your manager immediately.