Rotational Biomedical Scientist - Point of Care Testing

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Foundation Trust in Milton Keynes is seeking a Rotational Biomedical Scientist for Point of Care Testing. This full-time role includes managing medical devices, conducting quality checks, and training staff. Applicants need HCPC registration and a relevant degree. The Trust offers a supportive environment with flexible working opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Free on-site parking

Free tea and coffee

Great flexible working opportunities

Discounted gym membership

Lease car scheme

Generous annual leave

Extensive staff health and well-being programme

Qualifications

• HCPC State Registration required.
• BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification essential.
• Experience as a BMS in a chemical pathology laboratory preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain 200+ POCT devices within the Trust.
• Conduct control checks and review results.
• Train clinical staff on device usage.
• Assist in diagnostic service for blood, urine, and other materials.

Skills

Effective team worker

Knowledge of Health and Safety considerations

Ability to operate, maintain and calibrate complex equipment

Competent at analyser troubleshooting

Ability to work accurately and quickly

Good manual dexterity

Education

BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification

HCPC State Registration

Job description

Job summary

Rotational Biomedical Scientist - Point of Care Testing

Department: Pathology - Blood Science (POCT)

Band 5: £31,049 - £37,796 per annum

Full-time: 37.5 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

The Point of Care Testing (POCT) Team, part of the Pathology Department at MKUH, are seeking an engaging & enthusiastic Biomedical Scientists to help support the service we provide to the wards & other clinical areas throughout the Trust, including community-based projects. Amongst other tasks the post holder will aid with the following:

• Manage 200+ POCT devices throughout the Trust, ensuring they are regularly maintained, serviced and repaired when needed.
• Runcontrol checks (IQC and EQA) as required and review results.
• Provideuser training to clinical staff using the devices for patient testing.
• Carry outregular audits on the POCT services and equipment currently in use.
• AidPOCT in meeting ISO 15189 standards.

Pathology services operate 24/7 and as such there will be a need for contractual hours to be worked across a 7-day period.

Furtherdetails can be found in the job description but if you have further questions or would like to arrange an informal visit please contact Phill Dickson, POCT Coordinator [e-mail]

Interview date: 20.08.2025

Main duties of the job

This is a new role and will involve rotation through Point of Care Testing and Blood Sciences laboratories. There are therefore 2 elements to the job description, Part A as the Biomedical Scientist role in POCT & Part B - as the Biomedical Scientist role in Chemical Pathology.

It is envisaged that the rotation period will be 6 monthly, but this will be subject to service demands.

You will be part of a team delivering Point of Care Testing Services, maintaining devices, training staff in their use & providing the necessary support required to achieve the objectives of efficient & effective patient care, & effective resource management within the hospital. You will be expected to use their specialist knowledge to ensure that the quality of service provided by the department meets the highest possible standards. (Rotation A).

You will be part of a team of Biomedical Scientists delivering a diagnostic service analysing and reporting on blood, urine, faeces and other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care, and effective resource management within the hospital. (Rotation B)

You will undertake their responsibilities within the Pathology department to meet all required national and Trust standards. They will be required to work both alone and as part of a departmental team. To attend departmental and other meetings as required and attend external training and educational courses when required, i.e. instrument troubleshooting and repair.

About us

"We Care We Communicate We Collaborate We Contribute"

"80% of this group reported that their managers actively encourage them at work, supporting a team working environment"(NHS Staff Survey 2024).

You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:

• Free on-site parking
• Free tea and coffee
• Great flexible workingopportunities
• Discounted gym membership
• Lease car scheme
• Generous annual leave and pension scheme
• On site nursery (chargeable)
• Extensive staff health and well-being programme

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will periodically rotate into the blood sciences laboratory. There they will assist in the delivery of a diagnostic service analysing blood, urine, faeces and other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care, and effective resource management within the hospital. This includes taking part in out of hours work.

POCT Department (Rotation A):

• To organise and liaise with the rest of the Point of Care Team, daily duties, duties out of the Department, and cover for absences within the Team, and the organisation of own work patterns.

Chemical Pathology (Rotation B):

• To operate in a professional manner in compliance with the professional codes of conduct (IBMS).

Please refer to the Job Description for further details

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.

Job description
Job responsibilities

You will periodically rotate into the blood sciences laboratory. There they will assist in the delivery of a diagnostic service analysing blood, urine, faeces and other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care, and effective resource management within the hospital. This includes taking part in out of hours work.

POCT Department (Rotation A):

• To organise and liaise with the rest of the Point of Care Team, daily duties, duties out of the Department, and cover for absences within the Team, and the organisation of own work patterns.

Chemical Pathology (Rotation B):

• To operate in a professional manner in compliance with the professional codes of conduct (IBMS).

Please refer to the Job Description for further details

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

• HCPC State Registration
• BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
• Evidence of relevant continued professional development.

Desirable

• Understanding of quality assurance
• Understanding of accreditation standards (ISO 15189)

Experience

Essential

• Experience as a BMS in a chemical pathology laboratory

Desirable

• Participation in out of hours service.
• Understanding of Quality Assurance
• Experience working in a POCT role

Skills

Essential

• Effective team worker.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety considerations
• Ability to operate, maintain and calibrate complex equipment
• Competent at analyser troubleshooting.
• Ability to work accurately at a rate of output appropriate to a diagnostic laboratory
• Good manual dexterity to undertake automated, manual and specialised techniques.

Desirable

• Familiarity with Laboratory IT systems and Quality management processes

Personal and people development

Essential

• Ability to work on one's own and as part of a team.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Flexible approach to help meet the demands of the service
• IT literate

Desirable

• Proactive outlook

Communication

Essential

• Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.

Specific requirements

Essential

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
• Ability to work unsocial hours as a lone worker as required.
• Able to work off site and has valid driver's licences and means of transportation.

Desirable

• Confident and comfortable working in acute areas of the hospital, you may be exposed to potentially upsetting clinical events.

Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

• HCPC State Registration
• BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
• Evidence of relevant continued professional development.

Desirable

• Understanding of quality assurance
• Understanding of accreditation standards (ISO 15189)

Experience

Essential

• Experience as a BMS in a chemical pathology laboratory

Desirable

• Participation in out of hours service.
• Understanding of Quality Assurance
• Experience working in a POCT role

Skills

Essential

• Effective team worker.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety considerations
• Ability to operate, maintain and calibrate complex equipment
• Competent at analyser troubleshooting.
• Ability to work accurately at a rate of output appropriate to a diagnostic laboratory
• Good manual dexterity to undertake automated, manual and specialised techniques.

Desirable

• Familiarity with Laboratory IT systems and Quality management processes

Personal and people development

Essential

• Ability to work on one's own and as part of a team.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Flexible approach to help meet the demands of the service
• IT literate

Desirable

• Proactive outlook

Communication

Essential

• Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.

Specific requirements

Essential

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
• Ability to work unsocial hours as a lone worker as required.
• Able to work off site and has valid driver's licences and means of transportation.

Desirable

• Confident and comfortable working in acute areas of the hospital, you may be exposed to potentially upsetting clinical events.

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.
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Additional information
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.
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Employer details

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address

General Pathology (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD

Employer's website