Band 7 Senior Biomedical Scientist - Cellular Pathology

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable healthcare provider in Birmingham is seeking a Band 7 Senior Biomedical Scientist specializing in Cellular Pathology. This challenging role involves managing histology specimen receptions, participating in lab oversight, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. Candidates must have significant experience in dissection and relevant qualifications. The position offers an inclusive work culture focused on professional development and excellent service delivery.

Benefits

Inclusive workplace culture

Qualifications

• Evidence of continuing professional development and HCPC proficiency.
• Significant post registration experience in laboratory discipline.
• Experience in dissecting a wide range of specimens.

Responsibilities

• Join Senior Biomedical Scientist dissection team in histology.
• Provide specialist advice and manage staff.
• Participate in on-call service and self-directed learning.

Skills

Histological dissection experience

Knowledge of health and safety in laboratory procedures

Quality management systems (QMS)

Supervision and training experience

Education

State registration with HCPC

MSc or equivalent academic achievement

Post registration specialty training

Job description

Go back University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Band 7 Senior Biomedical Scientist - Cellular Pathology

The closing date is 14 December 2025

Prior to completing the application you must read the advert, JD and person specification. You must state how you meet the criteria and include answers to the questions set below. If you fail to answer specified questions in your application you will not be shortlisted.

This is a cross-site Cellular Pathology role based at BHH involving the organisation of histology specimen receptions and trimming rooms and will focus largely on advanced Biomedical Scientist dissection. The post is suited to an experienced, Specialist Biomedical Scientist seeking a new challenge in a large specialist centre. In total histology process c. 100k requests/year across all sites. Applicants should have existing evidence of extensive specimen dissection competency including complex resection specimens. Current advanced BMS dissection supports breast and GI teams and bone and soft tissue.

Cellular Pathology is a diagnostic laboratory operating within UHB Pathology. The Department houses several sub-specialities including histopathology, cytopathology, EM, muscle biopsy services, musculoskeletal pathology, as well as a PM room and mortuary. The laboratory receives a wide range of samples covering most clinical specialities except paediatrics. The Department is led by both a Clinical Service Lead and a Head Biomedical Scientist covering Heartlands, Good Hope, Solihull, and QEHB sites.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will join the Senior Biomedical Scientist dissection team in the histology specimen receptions/dissection rooms. This will also include offering specialist advice to staff and service users; first-line staff management (incl. rostering, delivering training/development and performance management); management of materials; representation at relevant specialist meetings. An on-call service is provided which the post holder will participate in as part of a rotation.

The post holder will have significant demonstrable experience of working in a busy dissection room and will be expected to undertake self-directed learning as part of a formal development plan. They must have knowledge of all aspects of health and safety associated with laboratory procedures and will have a keen eye for detail and a desire to expand and develop the service.

All HCPC registered staff are expected to maintain evidence of CPD which should be up to date and relevant to their post. The Department supports training and development and participation in e.g. advanced IBMS qualifications would be considered where applicable.

Questions to be answered within application:

• Briefly describe your histological dissection experience including competencies or qualifications held and describe the range of more complex specimens that you are actively dissecting
• Describe your involvement and experience with a QMS
• Describe your involvement and experience with staff training/supervision

About us

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.

Job responsibilities

Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description

Person Specification

Qualifications

• State registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• MSc, Equivalent academic achievement ratified by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) OR Equivalent Level 7 Post Graduate Certification or Diploma
• Evidence of continuing professional development and proficiency in accordance with HCPC guidelines.
• Post registration specialty training in accordance with Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS) guidelines
• Attended formal management course.
• Good awareness of current issues within Pathology locally and nationally.

Experience

• Evidence of continuing professional Development
• Discipline specific proficiency for HCPC registration
• Significant post registration experience in a specific laboratory discipline
• A specialised knowledge of biomedical science theory and practice in the relevant field
• Troubleshooting in a specialised laboratory environment
• Quality control and assurance 
• Practices laboratory health and safety
• Knowledge and understanding of laboratory quality management systems and relevant regulatory body accreditation standards.
• HCPC and IBMS professional standards, ethics, and proficiencies.
• Experience of working in a busy dissection room
• Experience in dissecting a wide range of specimen.
• Evidence of supervisory role or experience
• Understanding of accreditation within labs (e.g. ISO 15189, MHRA)
• Evidence of HR and Personnel experience
• Experience in prepping and dissecting complex specimens.

Additional Criteria

• Reliable
• Punctual
• Ability to work shifts to support 24/7 laboratory service provision on UHB Laboratory facilities.
• Able to participate in Duty Manager Rota for out of hours service as required.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust