Experience

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  SYNLAB UK & Ireland

  • United Kingdom
  • Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories
  • 200 - 300 Employee

  • Virology and Molecular Advanced Practitioner Diagnostic Testing

    • Dec 2022 - Present

  • Virology and Molecular Team Manager

    • Jul 2016 - Mar 2023

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  iPP - Integrated Pathology Partnerships

  • Taunton, United Kingdom

  • Biomedical Scientist

    • Apr 2012 - Mar 2023
    • Taunton, United Kingdom

    The most recent major project at the Southwest Pathology Services laboratory I have undertaken has been to introduce the KiestrA Total Lab Automation system to our working practise and I had the responsibility of the transition of workflow from traditional microbiology methods to this new and innovative approach to microbiology. I have received training to act as a Front Line Support Engineer to BD KiestrA to troubleshoot any problems on the KiestrA TLA system.As the laboratory leader for antimicrobial susceptibility testing and adherence to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guidelines, I was responsible for changing our testing method over to the more standardised and widely used EUCAST method. I also have the responsibility of ensuring our laboratory follows national guidelines set out for the detection of resistant organisms.I have collaborated with EUCAST in some of their data submission projects in order to help them set disc diffusion breakpoints for certain organism/antibiotic combinations.Responsible for validation and implementation of the Vitek2 and then later the BD Phoenix Automated Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Analysers I have acted as the laboratory lead for these instruments. Alongside this I have been trained to a high level in the use of the Epicenter Microbiology Data Management System.My responsibility for procurement and stock control for the laboratory meant that I played an integral role in a project to set up the Axional Procurement System and integrated it into our standard working practise. Part of my role is also to meet with company representatives to discuss new products and methods of testing.

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  Taunton & Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

  • Taunton, United Kingdom

  • Biomedical Scientist

    • Jan 2004 - Mar 2012
    • Taunton, United Kingdom

    Beginning as a trainee biomedical scientist, I worked towards achieving state registration through completion of a Post-Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Science and completing my IBMS portfolio. I continued with my studies whilst in this role to gain an MSc in Biomedical Science. My main area of responsibility was to undertake a wide range of investigations to identify pathogens in patient samples, test antimicrobial susceptibility and produce reports for our service users. Throughout my years working for Taunton &Somerset NHS Foundation Trust I took on additional responsibilities to my role, firstly as the deputy procurement officer and the later taking a more active role in our antibiotic susceptibility testing methods.

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  Natural Resources Wales

  • Cardiff, United Kingdom

  • Graduate Project Officer

    • Jul 2003 - Sep 2003
    • Cardiff, United Kingdom

    (Previously The Environment Agency, Wales)This contract involved data collection and analysis for a project examining salmon and trout populations in the rivers of South-East Wales. Within the project I was responsible for locating and recording precise testing sites for the current and future projects. Our team would set up testing sites and collect data.