Support staff programme
Scientific programme sponsor


The Biomedical Laboratory Support Staff programme is now an important and well established part of Congress.
The range of topics and speakers on this programme reflects the growing significance of this section of our workforce and it is hoped that managers and budget holders will see the value of supporting their assistant and associate practitioners to attend this event.
We pride ourselves on being an inclusive profession and our Congress offers a truly inclusive programme; from leadership and development to quality management, from apprenticeships to CPD; these are all issues that impact directly on laboratory support staff. These lectures are a complete package.
Support staff delegates can attend this session at the special afternoon rate or can book a full Congress day and combine it with a programme of morning lectures.
Tuesday 15 March
Leadership at all levels
Biomedical support staff
Leadership at all levels
1pm – 1.30pm, 15 March 2022 ‐ 30 mins
Biomedical support staff
Abstract
The challenges faced by the NHS are bigger than we have ever seen before. Increases in workload, difficulty in recruitment, restoration of services as we come out of Covid and an exhausted workforce are all challenges that are too big for one person. Now more than ever, we need all team members, committed and aligned to the same goal, to achieve desired outcomes and results.
In the Pandemic we saw individuals, teams and organisations coming together to form a rapid and effective response to Covid infection. We saw the lone wolf metaphor being pushed away and a mindset of “Leaders at All Levels”. The realisation that leadership isn’t about positional authority, it is about an individual’s ability to influence outcomes and inspire others, something everyone, at any organizational level, can do.
In this session, we will explore further the Leaders at all Levels mindset and how to develop a leadership team that reaches all staff groups.
Certificate of Achievement - why take them and how it could help you
Biomedical support staff
Certificate of Achievement - why take them and how it could help you
1.30pm – 2pm, 15 March 2022 ‐ 30 mins
Biomedical support staff
Abstract
The Certificate of Achievement comprises two portfolios for biomedical support staff that can be utilised by laboratories to aid training. These flexible qualifications can be tailored to meet the needs of the individual and also the requirements of the laboratory.
This presentation will cover the range of skills and knowledge that can be gained from undertaking the portfolios and how that has benefitted the individuals who have undertaken the portfolios, as well as laboratories in which they work.
Speakers

Flying the flag for degree apprenticeships - why everyone benefits
Biomedical support staff
Flying the flag for degree apprenticeships - why everyone benefits
2pm – 2.30pm, 15 March 2022 ‐ 30 mins
Biomedical support staff
Abstract
Apprenticeship opportunities are available for all grades of staff and are becoming an increasingly popular option for staff development pre-registration. This presentation provides an overview of the different apprenticeship levels available for support staff with a closer look at the L6 Healthcare Science Practitioner.
The presentation also provides a focus on how the degree apprenticeship can benefit the workplace (employer, trainers and support grades), how the degree apprenticeships can benefit full-time students in the university and how the degree apprenticeship at NTU has benefited academic and technical professionals across the university.
Speakers


Claudia Pearse
Workplace Tutor for Applied Biomedical Science, Nottingham Trent University
Supporting support staff to undertake CPD
Biomedical support staff
Supporting support staff to undertake CPD
2.30pm – 3pm, 15 March 2022 ‐ 30 mins
Biomedical support staff
Speakers
Support staff in quality management
Biomedical support staff
Support staff in quality management
3pm – 3.30pm, 15 March 2022 ‐ 30 mins
Biomedical support staff
Abstract
The laboratory service is a sum of its parts and is delivered by a number of individuals, all of which have a role to play, from support worker to clinician. Each role and the individuals in them are important and without them key elements of the service would not be possible.
Whilst there may be seen, sometimes, to be a focus on the Biomedical Scientist role, the qualifications and the progression pathway associated with it, this role could not be possible without of the support of others in the laboratory team, once such role is that of the support worker who provides a highly skilled and knowledgeable contribution to the delivery of the service.
Much like Health and Safety, Quality Management is the responsibility of all who are involved in delivering the service and it is the combined actions taken which provide overall confidence in the final result.
Quality should be embedded in the routine procedures and not seen as an addition to the day-to-day tasks. Whilst there are some quality activities, such as audits, assessments or reviews, which are usually performed outside of the routine these are there to monitor and support the quality processes undertaken as part of the service to the end user. As such all members of the laboratory team, including the support worker, have a key role in the implementation and ongoing support of the QMS in the laboratory.
Quality ensures that:
The right test is carried out on the right sample, providing the right result and the right interpretation, which is then delivered to the right person at the right time.
A lot of rights but don’t want any wrongs!
Speakers
Elisabeth North
Quality Manager, Bristol Infection Sciences Laboratory, Severn Pathology, UKHSA/North Bristol NHS Trust
Don’t overlook me! Recognising the skills and potential of support staff
Biomedical support staff
Don’t overlook me! Recognising the skills and potential of support staff
4pm – 4.30pm, 15 March 2022 ‐ 30 mins
Biomedical support staff
Speakers

Dr David Ricketts DBMS CSci FIBMS
Head of Laboratory Process Improvement, Health Services Laboratories LLP. Chair of BSI ISOTC212 Mirror Committee, British Standards Institution
Making the most of your appraisal
Biomedical support staff
Making the most of your appraisal
4.30pm – 5pm, 15 March 2022 ‐ 30 mins
Biomedical support staff
Abstract
This session considers how to maximise the benefits of appraisals for both appraiser and appraisee. Different formats will be considered and how they can add value and authenticity to the process in order for all parties to feel that appraisal is a positive and enriching experience rather than a tick box exercise. There will be discussion of potential pitfalls and drawbacks as well as positive opportunities. The session will also look at use of appraisal to stimulate staff interest in CPD and personal development plus acting as a talent spotting and managing tool to assist with succession planning.
Speakers

Sue Alexander MSc MSc MBA CSci FIBMS CBiol FRSB MIHM MCQI CQP
Principal Biomedical Scientist and Pathology Services Manager, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Mary Macdonald Congress Award
In memory of Council Member Mary Macdonald, the Institute is one again offering 20 free places for non-HCPC registered members to attend the Biomedical Support Staff programme and £60.00 towards travelling expenses for those successful applicants.
Applicants must be members of the Institute and working in a support staff role. For more details and to apply visit the Mary MacDonald Award page.