Histology Senior Biomedical Scientist

NHS; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Maidstone is seeking a Senior Biomedical Scientist to oversee laboratory workflows and ensure high-quality service delivery. The role involves training staff, coordinating resources, and maintaining professional development in histology. Applicants must have HCPC registration and relevant qualifications. This position offers a salary range of £47,810 to £54,710 annually, along with comprehensive benefits including annual leave and NHS pension membership.

Benefits

At least 27 days of annual leave

NHS Pension Scheme with employer contribution of 23.7%

Blue Light card eligibility

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• HCPC registration as Biomedical Scientist is mandatory.
• Specialist qualification in histology is required.
• Minimum of 2 years experience in an NHS or equivalent Histology laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for technical quality and workflow of the laboratory section.
• Coordinate resources, including staff and equipment.
• Train departmental staff in histological techniques.

Skills

High level of manual dexterity

Ability to organise own work under pressure

Staff leadership

Excellent communication skills

Education

HCPC registration as Biomedical Scientist

Fellowship of IBMS

MSc in biomedical Science or equivalent

Specialist qualification in histology

Tools

Quality management software (e.g., i-passport, QPulse)

Job description

The Histology Department at Maidstone Hospital is looking for a Senior Biomedical Scientist with excellent organisational and staff leadership skills.

You will work closely with the departmental management team, and with senior colleagues, to ensure delivery of a high quality, efficient, cost effective service for the benefit of patients and service users.

Maidstone Hospital includes the regional Oncology centre which is expanding in support of the Kent cancer network. The Histology department provides services for Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trusts, Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust. Consequently, there is a combined Histology workload of around 85,000 cases per year. The department carries out a wide range of investigations including various specialist resections from hospitals within the Kent & Medway. It also includes an expanding immunocytochemistry section that has an annual through-put of approximately 55,000 tests.

Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for the technical quality and organisational workflow of the main laboratory section of the laboratory. This requires coordinating available resources, including equipment and staff, to ensure optimal service delivery

The post holder will be responsible for training departmental staff in core histological techniques and for coordinating the day to day running of the main laboratory. This means they will be required to take a key role in workflow prioritisation and problem solving. It is also essential the post holder demonstrates and maintains continuing professional development (CPD) in both quality management practices and Histology activities.

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working? We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Click here to hear what our staff say.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a employer contribution of 23.7% and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

Job responsibilities

Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions before submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at a Standard Level.

Working for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust/NKPS you will be part of the Kent and Medway Pathology Network (South 8 Network - Kent and Medway Pathology Network is made up of seven laboratories across three pathology services in four acute Trusts. For more information on the network please see the attached document

Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original dates, so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Qualification

• HCPC registration as Biomedical Scientist
• Fellowship of IBMS, MSc in biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
• Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences
• Evidence of managerial training/ qualification
• Specialist qualification in histology
• IBMS certificates of extended or expert practice
• Completion of IBMS specialist portfolio (or registration under CPSM)

Experience/Knowledge

• Track record of effective staff leadership
• Participation in laboratory audit activities
• Advanced understanding of Histology laboratory technique and its contribution to Histopathology diagnosis plus an awareness of modern trends in Histology
• Experience of working in NHS, or equivalent Histology laboratory (minimum 2 years post specialist portfolio completion).
• Evidence of experience of accreditation process against ISO15189:2012 standards/relevant accreditation body
• Experience of writing/ reviewing SOPs in line with local or national guidelines
• Experience of using quality management software (such as i-passport or QPulse

Skills

• High level of manual dexterity
• Ability to organise own work and to do so under pressure.
• Able to manage and prioritise the work of the Histology laboratory and direct staff accordingly
• Able to problem solve
• Able to write complex documents with clarity and precision for use as SOPs or as reports
• Excellent communications skills with good command of written and verbal English

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.

£47,810 to £54,710 a yearper annum pro rata