Biomedical Scientist - Team Lead

Transformationunitgm; Oxford; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An established NHS teaching trust is seeking a dedicated Biomedical Scientist - Team Lead to join their dynamic team. This role involves overseeing histopathology processes, ensuring quality control, and maintaining efficient laboratory operations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in biomedical science, particularly in histology, and be committed to delivering compassionate excellence in patient care. With flexible working opportunities and a focus on professional development, this position offers a chance to make a significant impact in the healthcare sector while supporting a vital service for cancer patients.

Qualifications

• Hold professional registration as a Biomedical Scientist with HCPC.
• Experience in NHS histology laboratory and team management.

Responsibilities

• Perform quality control and troubleshoot in histology surgical section.
• Ensure timely processing of samples to support cancer diagnostics.

Skills

Histopathology

Biomedical Science

Quality Control

Analytical Skills

Team Management

Education

HCPC Registration

IBMS Post Graduate Diploma

Tools

Laboratory Information Systems

Job description

Main area Cellular Pathology - Histology Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Fixed term: 10 months (Maternity cover - ends 16/2/2026) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 321-CSS-7069020-B6

Employer Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site John Radcliffe Hospital Town Oxford Salary £37,338 - £44,962 Per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 11/05/2025 23:59 Interview date 22/05/2025

Biomedical Scientist - Team Lead

NHS AfC: Band 6

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call thisDelivering Compassionate Excellenceand its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via theOUH YouTube channel .

Many of our recruitment programmes useValue Based Interviewingto identify those who have the skills we seek, who share our values and who are able to deliver compassionate excellence from the outset. We know that this makes a significant difference to your job satisfaction and above all the outcomes and experience of our patients and their families. For more information about our Values and Value Based Interviewing please visitwww.ouh.nhs.uk/about/vision-and-values

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated, experienced Histopathology biomedical scientist to joint our team to cover maternity leave until13th October 2026

Whilst the core hours of the department are 08:30 - 17:00 with an early shift at 07:00, there are flexible working opportunities available.

To be successful as a specialist / team leader (Band 6) it is essential that you hold professional registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and hold the IBMS specialist portfolio in Histopathology . As this is maternity leave cover you must have recent experience working in the NHS as a biomedical scientist.

Main duties of the job

The role will be within the histology surgical section (embedding and microtomy) and performing quality control, with some trouble shooting once familiar with the section . When leading your role is to ensure the throughput of work to maintain the laboratory turnaround to provide pathologists with tests in a timely manner to support the diagnostic pathway for cancer patients.

Working for our organisation

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.

We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel .

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Scientific and Clinical Responsibilities

• Analyses potentially infectious samples using a range of highly specialised laboratory procedures, by either manual or automated techniques, to produce results of a quality consistent with excellent patient care. Undertakes these duties in all areas of the Department.
• Ensures efficient use and maintenance of resources, is aware of stock levels and rotation, storage conditions, batch numbers and expiry dates, thus ensuring the viability of the reagents and/or blood products used.
• Exercises own initiative and works in co-operation with other staff members to ensure that the workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Is fully conversant with departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), ensuring that personal performance complies with United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and other professional standards.
• Carries out troubleshooting and preventative maintenance on highly complex automated systems. Ensures appropriate records are kept and liaises with senior staff and service engineers where appropriate.
• Matches samples with request forms and inputs patient and test information into the laboratory computer system, requiring complete accuracy.

Analytical and Interpretative Responsibilities

• Exercises individual skills through the observation and interpretation of clinical material or data, which may include therapeutic drug monitoring.
• Completes the work process by the verification and validation of results and report generation. This involves the interpretation of clinical data and requires in-depth theoretical knowledge.
• Recommends additional tests where appropriate to assist the requesting clinician in the diagnostic process.

Role Responsibilities

• Practices in accordance with the professional, ethical and legal codes of the Health Professions Council and the Trust’s protocols and guidelines. Is accountable for own practice and maintenance of Registration status.
• Develops own skills, taking responsibility for Continuing Professional Development and performance.
• Complies with the requirements of internal and external/national quality assurance schemes.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the assessment, planning and prioritisation of tasks.
• Communicates effectively with other staff groups, both internal and external. To include healthcare professionals, patients and their representatives, external agencies, commercial suppliers, service engineers and visitors to the laboratory.
• Provides and receives complex scientific and clinical information to and from colleagues and service users. Is aware of barriers to understanding and is able to present information accordingly.
• Provides and receives sensitive information to and from patients and their representatives where empathic and re-assurance skills are required. May include notification of adverse events.
• Displays and maintains an appropriate level of IT skills.

Teaching, Training and Research Responsibilities

• Participates in the supervision and training of Trainee BMSs, support staff and clinical staff where required.

Other Responsibilities

• Demonstrates specialist skill and professional knowledge acquired through post -registration academic and scientific development.
• Demonstrates continuing ability to work individually and unsupervised to a level required in the provision of the out of hours service for lone working on “shift” or on call.
• Works to ensure that performance targets and sample turnaround timesare met by continually assessing quality and priority of work.
• Has awareness of the requirements of Clinical Governance, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and local Health and Safety Policies, reporting problems, errors or breaches via the appropriate mechanisms.
• Assists in improving and developing departmental quality by challenging and questioning practice, contributing ideas as appropriate and participating in the change management process, in conjunction with senior staff.
• To attend regular appraisal in accordance with the Trust Policy.
• To maintain good work relations with all members of staff and to promote effective team working taking action when own or other’s behaviour undermines equality and diversity.
• To treat everyone associated with the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with courtesy and respect.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• HCPC registration
• IBMS Post graduate diploma in specific discipline or equivalent knowledge
• Evidence of participation in CPD
• Membership of IBMS

Experience and knowledge

• Experience of all the basic techniques within histology
• Experience in an NHS histology laboratory
• Previous team management

Skills and abilities

• Knowledge of laboratory information systems
• Practical and analytical skills associated with diagnostic lab work
• Previous experience with equipment in use at OUH

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to cut a minimum of 25 blocks per hour

COVID-19: The COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment , we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated there is helpful advice and information at Oxfordshire County Council Website where you can also find out more about how to access vaccination.

Vacancy Closures: Please note, this vacancy may close early if a high volume of applications are received.

Probation Period: This post is subject to a 6 month probationary period. If you currently hold a contract of employment with the Oxford University Hospitals, this will not apply. This statement does not apply to Medical staff or Executive Appointments.

Referencing: When providing employment reference details please provide correct work related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your first referee will need to be your line manager, supervisor or clinical lead from your current or most recent post or place of study. Please note that if you have previously worked for the Trust we will require a reference from your last Manager, this information is essential if your offer of employment is to be confirmed.

Next Steps: Please make sure that you read the job description and person specification, and that your supporting statement reflects this as your application will be judged against these criteria. Candidates selected for interview will be contacted after the short-listing process, usually within 2 weeks. (Please note that shortlisting times vary when applying for a Medical position within the Trust). The majority of correspondence will be via the e-recruitment system; therefore you should check your emails regularly including junk mail folders in web-based email products.

No unsolicited recruitment agency telephone calls or emails.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.