Biomedical Scientist / Trainee Biomedical Scientist

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Norwich; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust in the UK seeks a qualified Biomedical Scientist for the Histopathology Department. Your role will involve various laboratory tasks including section cutting, specimen processing, and assisting pathologists. The position supports professional development and offers flexible working hours, a comprehensive benefits package including a pension scheme, discounted gym memberships, and on-site amenities. Registration is required to apply. Advert closes on December 7, 2025.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Discounted gym memberships

Excellent pension scheme

Support in career development

Free Park & Ride service

Qualifications

• Must have current professional registration or provide assessment date.
• Experience in laboratory techniques and specimen handling.
• Ability to manage work under supervision and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Work as a BMS in all sections of the laboratory.
• Carry out section cutting and special staining.
• Help with staff training and quality control.
• Participate in departmental meetings.
• Process urgent and non-urgent work efficiently.

Skills

Laboratory work

Histological techniques

Quality control

Staff training

Communication skills

Education

Registered Biomedical Scientist

Tools

CEREBRO specimen tracking system

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Overview

A Vacancy at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. A post is available in the Histopathology Department. This post presents an exciting opportunity to be part of an excellent team working in a busy modern teaching hospital laboratory. The department has a workload of around 90,000 surgical requests per year and covers a wide range of routine and specialised services.

This is an excellent opportunity to work within a committed team of office, laboratory and consultant pathologist staff. The department encourages active professional development and further educational activities. The service also has Biomedical Scientist advanced dissection and Biomedical Scientist reporting roles. The service uses digital pathology reporting, CEREBRO specimen tracking system, and is currently replacing most of its specialist laboratory equipment.

We welcome applications from individuals who have a booked assessment date for their registration portfolio assessment.

Key Responsibilities

• Work as a BMS in all sections of the laboratory.
• Carry out section cutting, embedding, special staining, immunohistochemistry and specimen reception/dissection room work.
• Carry out frozen sections and Mohs frozen sections.
• Help with staff training, quality control, and equipment maintenance/troubleshooting.
• Help with lab projects/development.
• Carry out audits.
• Communicate routine clinical technical service‑related information to colleagues, managers, consultants, nurses, other health‑care colleagues and patient carers.
• Participate in departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.
• Answer telephone inquiries from pathology users and patient carers and provide routine information about methodologies and service requirements.
• Manage own work under the supervision of experienced BMS staff, seek support from more senior staff when needed, and communicate any difficulties, problems, accidents or incidents affecting the department to a section leader/manager promptly.
• Process immediate, urgent and non‑urgent work to maintain turnaround times in line with Trust and Service policies.
• Work in the dissecting room, categorise specimens according to clinical details, and assign a specimen code as appropriate. Participate in the reception, sorting and processing of samples through the dissection room.
• Ensure correct patient ID on both matching request forms and specimens, and follow appropriate quality and error logging procedures.
• Carry out histological techniques including the fixation and processing of body tissues, including recognisable body parts, products of conception containing fetal parts, fetal and post‑mortem tissue, and perform precision orientation and embedding, cutting of paraffin wax sections and staining.
• Assist pathologists during specimen dissection, and clean working areas of tissue, faeces, mucus and blood.
• Carry out selection and macroscopic description of biopsy samples at cut‑up, as defined by Royal College of Pathologists guidelines and departmental SOPs, including CU P11.

Benefits

• Flexible working hours
• Fast‑Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
• Multi‑faith prayer room
• Discounted gym memberships
• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• Wagestream – access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
• Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
• Free 24‑hours confidential counselling support
• On‑site Nursery
• On‑site cafés offering staff discounts
• Support in career development
• Flexible staff bank
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Applicants without current professional registration must provide their assessment date; otherwise the application will not be scored.

This advert closes on Sunday 7 Dec 2025.