Name : Emma-Louise Campbell
Job Title : Senior Biomedical Scientist and Section Lead, Microbiology
1. What does your job entail?
I am a Senior Biomedical Scientist in the Microbiology laboratory in Altnagelvin Hospital. I am also Section Lead for Urine Cultures and Epidemiology.
In the urine section we screen urine samples for bacteria which cause urinary tract infections. We then test these bacteria against a range of different antibiotics and pass the results on to clinical staff so that the patient can receive the most appropriate treatment.
Epidemiology involves screening certain patient groups for bacteria that are important for infection control purposes e.g. MRSA. We work closely with the Infection Prevention and Control Team here in the Western Trust and the Public Health Agency.
As a section lead I am responsible for the daily management of my sections and ensuring that the results that we produce are of the highest quality. I work with a diverse team of staff that includes Consultant Microbiologists, Biomedical Scientists and Support staff who all have important roles in delivering the high quality diagnostic service that we provide here in the Microbiology department.
I am also involved in the training of Biomedical Scientists and university placement students.
2. How did you get into this line of work?
I have always been interested in science and knew form an early age that I wanted to pursue a career in a scientific field. I initially joined the Microbiology department as a Medical Laboratory Assistant when I was a PhD student. I really enjoyed working in the laboratory environment and felt that it was a good fit for me. The work is interesting and varied and I get to work as part of a dedicated team of professionals who do a really important job directly contributing to patient care.
3.Outline your career to date?
I have a PhD in physiology and initially wanted to work in research.
After my PhD I stayed within the Microbiology department here in Altnagelvin and worked my way up into a position as a Biomedical Scientist. I then completed the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS) Specialist Diploma in Medical Microbiology.
After 3 years working as a specialist biomedical scientist I successfully applied for a position as senior biomedical scientist. I am now working as a senior biomedical scientist and section lead.
4. Tell us about your qualifications and training?
My undergraduate degree is in Anatomical Sciences. To practice as a Biomedical Scientist I had to undertake additional studies to become registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. Luckily I was able to do this whilst working in the department. I then completed the Institute of Biomedical Scientist registration portfolio and successfully secured a position as a Biomedical Scientist in the Microbiology department here in Altnagelvin.
I then completed my specialist diploma in Medical Microbiology which is a professional qualification assessed through a portfolio of experience and an oral examination. This helped me gain the specialist skills, knowledge and competencies which are essential in my role as a specialist biomedical scientist.
Senior biomedical scientists must have a higher level of qualifications, usually a Master’s degree or higher specialist diploma. As I have a PhD I was able to apply for senior positions.
5. What qualities do you feel are required for your job – personal and professional?
Good communication and teamwork skills are essential. I work closely with lab and clinical staff at all levels from consultants to support staff.
To work as a section lead you need to have a good mix of technical and leadership skills.
Problem solving skills are also very important in dealing with the challenges that can arise in a lab as busy as ours is.
It’s also really important to have good interpersonal skills as staff will regularly come to me as a section lead for guidance and advice.
6. What is the best advice you have ever received?
Nothing changes if nothing changes.
7. A little bit about me
I love live music. Concerts are my happy place.
I also love good food and enjoy eating out with family and friends.
8. What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?
Setbacks and failures are not the end of the world. Embrace them as opportunities.