Clinical Immunology Service

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £31,396 to £33,966 with potential progression once in post to £38,205

Grade 6 

Part Time (22.5 hours per week) 

Fixed Term contract up to February 2025

Closing date: 28 April 2024

Background

The University of Birmingham is a global institution working within a diverse and vibrant City, offering an inspiring education to our students, and undertaking critically important research.  We are a place of open, critical thinking, and the creation, sharing and dissemination of knowledge.  Professional Services put students at the heart of all they do and enable an exceptional educational experience. They provide outstanding support to our researchers and help the University to grow its influence regionally, nationally, and globally. They ensure the University’s resources are used wisely, manage and improve the infrastructure which sits at the heart of the institution, and support decisions to be made quickly and based on sound evidence.  Our Birmingham Professional programme operates across the University, supporting colleagues to network and collaborate, offering opportunities to learn and develop, contributing to the delivery of the University’s objectives, and helping everyone to understand the broader context within which we work. 

Role Summary

The job is for a state registered BMS to work in the Clinical Immunology Service (CIS).  The postholder will predominantly work on an innovative grant funded project (supported by Blood Cancer UK) focusing on the measurement of monoclonal protein for applications in blood cancer (multiple myeloma). Specifically, we are evaluating the use of isoelectric focusing and weston blotting as a technique to enable high sensitivity monoclonal protein detection in serum. This could be very beneficial for certain patient groups who are currently hard to diagnose and monitor using current tests. At the CIS we have developed a combined isoelectric focusing-weston blot method, which needs to be validated before it can be offered as clinical service. 

In this 1-year project, the post-holder will be expected to evaluate the method for key performance criteria (sensitivity, specificity, precision, reproducibility, interference) and complete a comprehensive clinical validation study. This will involve identifying appropriate patients from databases, locating samples within our biobank, analysing samples using the methodology and recording and collating the results. The BMS appointed to the post will be trained on the isoelectric focusing platform at the start of the project. 

The post will primarily be focused on the grant funded project but where work plans allow there will also be an opportunity to support other sections of the CIS. This may include autoimmune serology, allergy, immunochemistry and neuroimmunology sections, performing routine and specialist techniques in accordance with standard operating procedures and in a manner appropriate to their professional experience and the requirements of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). 

The post holder will work within the CIS which sits within the Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy and College of Medical and Dental Sciences at the University of Birmingham (https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/facilities/clinical-immunology-services/index.aspx). The CIS is a comprehensive UKAS accredited laboratory which serves over 200 Trusts around the UK. In addition, the CIS has a large research portfolio providing central trials analysis for several national studies and supporting other research trials and studies. The CIS hosts flow cytometry services for blood cancer for the region, through the Midlands Integrated Reporting for Haemato-Oncology (MIRHO) service and the flow cytometry section provides the results for this service.

Main Duties

Carry out all laboratory duties commensurate with a state registered BMS to ensure the laboratory meets necessary accreditation standards. 

• Independently undertake routine laboratory diagnostic testing, including run acceptance testing using a range of platforms.
• Undertake pre-examination processes, including sample receipt and booking-in where required, running worksheet lists and ensure samples are tested within the required timeframe. 
• Supervise Medical Laboratory Assistants working in their section and ensure the quality of work.
• Undertake internal quality control procedures; document and monitor for deviance. 
• Instigate remedial action where assays are deemed not to have performed as expected and raise corrective and preventative actions using the laboratory quality management system. Independently investigate and report non-conformities. 
• Analyse and provide technical reports for results.
• Correctly identify and add appropriate standard comments to test results and release for clinical review.
• Raise awareness of unusual or urgent results. 
• Undertake and record acceptance testing that reagents and machines are fit for use.
• Maintain appropriate stocks/records/documentation in accordance with laboratory policies and procedures.
• Contributing to the writing, maintenance, and implementation of departmental Standard Operating Procedures.
• Maintain an ongoing and up-to-date Professional Development Plan. 
• Independently participate in departmental audit calendar and generate audit findings.
• Assist in the supervision, training and teaching of staff and participate in the department’s training plan.
• HCPC Continuing Professional (CPD) requirements.
• Ensure personal competency documentation meets ISO 15189 standard.
• Ensure that safe working practices are followed by all staff members in accordance with departmental Safety Policy and maintain awareness of and adherence to the University’s policies, including those relating to discipline, grievance, sickness, absence and health and safety.
• Ensure all staff members comply with statutory and legislative requirements within the laboratory. 
• Promotes equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Supports the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

Knowledge

• Comprehensive practical and theoretical knowledge of medical laboratory science.
• Sound understanding of the basic principles of immunology.
• Detailed understanding of Health & Safety matters related to medical laboratory science and familiarity with local, University and national legislation (e.g. Health and Safety at Work Act).
• Ability to adhere to COSHH guidelines.
• Ability to adhere to local procedures such as risk assessments and SOPs.
• Clear appreciation of the implications and requirements concerning the confidentiality of patient information (e.g. General Data Protection Regulation, Caldicott principles, etc.)
• Sound knowledge of internal and external quality control and quality management in the context of the requirement of UKAS ISO15189.
• Understanding of the requirements of GCLP and MHRA in the provision of laboratory services in the context of clinical trials and studies.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and how to ensure in day-to-day activity, in own area, that this is abided by.

Skills

• Competent in a clinical laboratory setting. 
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to contribute positively to discussions with staff at all levels both within and outside the department.
• Effective team working skills and the ability to contribute positively under direction and independently to departmental objectives.
• Ability to accurately undertake and report on sample investigations, analysing the outcome of tests or procedures and their clinical significance.
• Able to proactively recognise problems and suggest solutions.
• Computer literacy/IT skills that allow candidate to undertake the work required and ability to manipulate and present data and enable assay problem solving.
• Good attention to detail and focused manner.
• Willing and able to learn new skills.
• Take responsibility for maintaining competence and continual professional development.

Qualifications

• Biomedical Science degree, or equivalent qualification, acceptable to the IBMS/HCPC for State Registration.
• Completion of the IBMS training logbook or registration and specialist portfolios.
• State Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in accordance with HCPC requirements.

Experience

• Working in a UKAS accredited clinical diagnostics laboratory.
• Familiarity with ISO standards the requirements to adhere to these requirements.
• Experience in document writing and review to adhere to ISO standards.
• Experience of quality management systems.
• Familiarity with audit.

Informal enquiries to Lisa Powell, email l.h.powell@bham.ac.uk

Further particulars can be found here

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.