Bio Medical Scientist - Microbiology - Falkland Islands

Job summary

This role is located in a British Overseas Territory, therefore UK legislation such as the Data Protection Act (2018) and the Equality Act (2010), or similar, may not apply.

Are you looking for a new adventure with an excellent work life balance in a safe, unique, beautiful and community focused setting?

Do you want to work as a Microbiology Lead, with responsibility for quality and improvements, within a friendly and supportive team which provides excellent care for patients and clients? Then this is the job for you.

The King Edward VII Memorial Hospital is the principal healthcare facility in the Falkland Islands, providing primary care and a broad range of elective and emergency secondary care services to a resident population of about 3,700 persons.

The Pathology Department is unique as a multidisciplinary establishment covering Haematology, Blood Transfusion, Biochemistry, Microbiology (including Parasitology), and Serology.

In addition, Microbiological testing of food, water and environmental samples for specific target organisms is carried out.

If you are an enthusiastic, Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (UK) Registered Bio Medical Scientist with experience of working in the NHS who holds specialise level qualifications in Microbiology & knowledge of Haematology and Biochemistry who is looking for a new challenge then we would like to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

This position requires an experienced HCPC (UK) Registered Bio Medical Scientist with Microbiology as the main discipline on a two up to four year contract, to work in a multidisciplinary laboratory where you would be expected to participate in the out of hours On-Call system which averages to one week out of three being On-Call.

As the Microbiology lead you will be responsible for quality and improvements within the Microbiology discipline processes and would assist also in both Food, Water & Environmental section, and Blood Sciences section.

The food and water testing section of the laboratory is required to work to standards listed in ISO 17025 and is essential to Falkland Islands Fish and Meat export industry and this role plays a part in delivering accreditation of this service provision.

As a multi-skilled Senior Biomedical Scientist, the post holder will be part of a team that provides a high quality clinical diagnostic pathology service that meets appropriate standards (ISO 15189) and will take part in the provision of the of the multi-disciplinary pathology On-Call rota.

You will be expected to contribute to the in-house training of staff and general progression of the laboratory skills mix. Ideally the applicant will have specialist level experience in Microbiology.

Training in the other disciplines covered in the lab will be provided to the successful applicant to a level that is adequate for the provision of routine and out of hours testing services.

About us

The Health and Social Services Directorate, Falkland Islands provides emergency, primary, secondary and community healthcare as well as social services assistance, support, and advice. Most health services are based at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) which is the Islands only hospital and is based in the capital Stanley. We serve the local community of about 3,700 residents, short-term residents and visitors.

The Falkland Islands are an unique natural environment located in the South Atlantic, 8,000 miles south of the UK mainland, which is a British overseas territory with a full internal self-government. The Islands boasts unspoilt beaches, outstanding wildlife, and stunning landscapes with a good work / life balance. Stanley is a friendly and busy city with a wide range of amenities and a variety of clubs and associations.

The hospital environment is one in which clinical staff have the time, resources, and support to provide the highest standards of care and to develop their careers. In addition to being supported to practise with a broad scope, clinical staff are encouraged and assisted to develop particular areas of clinical expertise.

Job responsibilities

• Assist clinical colleagues in the investigation and diagnosis of disease. This is a multi-disciplinary role that encompasses Microbiology as the primary discipline, with Clinical Chemistry, Haematology and Blood Transfusion as secondary.
• Provide timely and accurate laboratory results to support clinical diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
• Analyse samples from various animals to assist the Veterinary Officer with the diagnosis of disease in the animal population.
• Implement Health & Safety procedures to protect against chemical and biological hazards.
• Ensure standards are maintained to UK levels by participation in a number of Internal and External Quality Assurance Schemes (NEQAS, WEQAS) and internal quality control procedures.
• Participate fully in the laboratory's Quality Management System (QMS) including document maintenance and audit participation, under the leadership of the laboratory Quality Manager.
• Maintain laboratory equipment effectively, and facilitate troubleshooting of analysers and other equipment.
• Maintain adequate stock levels and prepare orders when necessary.
• Immediate assessment and effective notification to the Pathology Manager, of any perceived major threats to public health or safety. These could include such threats as exotic or virulent diseases or parasites, fungal or bacterial infections, or pollution of staple foods or water supplies.
• Write and review standard operating procedures.
• Contribute to the administrative workload of the laboratory. Contribute to in-house training and CPD events.
• The Laboratory provides a 24 / 7 service therefore successful candidates must be willing to participate in the mandatory multi-disciplinary on-call rota. Currently this is one week in three and will include some weekend work and public holidays. In addition, on those occasions when the Laboratory is in continuous operation during a major incident or emergency, the post holder is required to be contactable at all times (as far as is practicable) to offer advice or assistance if required.
• Appropriate training will be provided to the successful candidate with the emphasis on ensuring competence to participate in the on-call rota.
• The job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive of your duties.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Desirable

Experience

Essential

Desirable

Employer details

Employer name

Falkland Islands Government

Address

King Edward VII Memorial Hospital

Stanley

Falkland Islands

AA1 1AA

Employer's website #J-18808-Ljbffr