Senior Biomedical Scientist

NHS; Bury St Edmunds; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for a Senior Biomedical Scientist - Quality Lead at a NHS Foundation Trust in Bury St Edmunds. This pivotal role involves leading quality management within Cellular Pathology, handling technical laboratory tasks, and participating in substantial departmental projects. The ideal candidate will possess an HCPC registration and relevant qualifications, and will play a key role in the progressive department dedicated to high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist required.
• Must have a Biomedical Science Degree or equivalent.
• Demonstrable experience in Quality Management Systems and IT.

Responsibilities

• Act as Quality lead for Cellular Pathology.
• Engage in technical tasks and support ongoing projects.
• Train and mentor junior staff in laboratory procedures.

Skills

Quality Management

IT competency

Analytical Skills

Manual Dexterity

Education

HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist

Biomedical Science Degree or equivalent

IBMS Specialist Diploma

Job description

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for the position of Senior Biomedical Scientist - Quality lead within Cellular Pathology at West Suffolk Hospital. Previous experience within quality would be advantageous but not essential. The suitable applicant would be expected to act as Quality lead for Cellular Pathology however quality tasks however are shared within the team and support would be given. Acting as quality lead would be a portion of the role, the suitable candidate would however be given opportunity to use / develop technical skills, with senior BMS staff spending a portion of their time on bench tasks.

The department is progressive, with a strong support for BMS lead dissection. The successful candidate will be given opportunity to perform this task / develop within this area.

There are ongoing large projects within the department, which the successful candidate will be given opportunity for involvement and be expected to support with;

-'Digital pathology' is utilised within the department, with the implementation project ongoing.

-'Tracking System,' to support digital pathology. The specimen tracking system will also be utilised to implement and support LEAN working.

-'LIMS upgrade' The department is in the process of upgrading their LIMS; which will offer improvements to Cellular pathology workflows.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate would be expected to work directly with the Laboratory manager, acting as Quality lead. The successful candidate would also be expected to cover and lead technical tasks and would be a key member of the team. Experience of specimen dissection would be advantageous.

About us

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

Details Date posted

21 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

179-7205986-C

Job locations

Bury St Edmunds

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP332QZ

Job description Job responsibilities

Please refer to attached job description and personal specification .

This role would suit either a BMS with previous experience of Cellular pathology; this could be someone currently working at senior level or someone wanting to take the next step. Candidates with an awareness / interest in modernisation advancements within Cellular Pathology would be welcomed to apply.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Job description Job responsibilities

Please refer to attached job description and personal specification .

This role would suit either a BMS with previous experience of Cellular pathology; this could be someone currently working at senior level or someone wanting to take the next step. Candidates with an awareness / interest in modernisation advancements within Cellular Pathology would be welcomed to apply.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Person Specification Education & Qualification Essential

• HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
• Biomedical Science Degree or equivalent.
• Appropriate post registration IBMS Specialist Diploma or demonstrable equivalence to the learning outcomes of the Specialist Diploma.
• Appropriate post graduate qualification / or evidence of significant progress towards such a qualification, for example:IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma Appropriate Masters Degree Or demonstrate equivalence to the learning outcomes of an IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or an MSc accredited by the IBMS.
• Evidence of CPD.

Desirable

• Quality Management Qualification.
• Training Qualification.
• Health and Safety Qualification.

Experience & Knowledge Essential

• Highly specialist knowledge and experience across a range of work procedures and practices underpinned by theory and practice relevant to post.
• Extensive practical experience of working in a Biomedical Science laboratory.
• Experience of Pathology IT systems.
• Practical experience of Quality Management Systems.
• Experience of performing and evaluating Risk Assessments.
• Experience of performing audits and addressing non-conformances identified
• Experience of training and mentoring.
• Experience of incident reporting and investigation.
• IT competent, able to effectively use, Microsoft Word and Excel.

Desirable

• Relevant experience of working in the NHS.
• Experience of managing people.

Skills & Abilities Essential

• Excellent interpretation and analytical skills.
• Able to prioritise own workload and that of others to meet needs of the service.
• Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time.
• High degree of manual dexterity to perform complex laboratory techniques.
• Self-motivated and proactive
• Professional, friendly and approachable.
• Demonstrable mentoring skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as being a strong team player.
• Ability to respond flexibly to problems and issues raised and respond appropriately.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to work to tight and often challenging timescales.

Personal Qualities Essential

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strives for excellence.
• Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
• Ability to meet targets and deadlines.
• Ability to be flexible and respond to the needs of the service.
• Ability to learn and assimilate new information.
• Organised but able to cope with interruptions.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines where there are competing demands.
• Awareness of self and impact on others.
• Flexible approach to working hours/duties.

Desirable

• Credible and effective leadership qualities.

Person Specification Education & Qualification Essential

• HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
• Biomedical Science Degree or equivalent.
• Appropriate post registration IBMS Specialist Diploma or demonstrable equivalence to the learning outcomes of the Specialist Diploma.
• Appropriate post graduate qualification / or evidence of significant progress towards such a qualification, for example:IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma Appropriate Masters Degree Or demonstrate equivalence to the learning outcomes of an IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or an MSc accredited by the IBMS.
• Evidence of CPD.

Desirable

• Quality Management Qualification.
• Training Qualification.
• Health and Safety Qualification.

Experience & Knowledge Essential

• Highly specialist knowledge and experience across a range of work procedures and practices underpinned by theory and practice relevant to post.
• Extensive practical experience of working in a Biomedical Science laboratory.
• Experience of Pathology IT systems.
• Practical experience of Quality Management Systems.
• Experience of performing and evaluating Risk Assessments.
• Experience of performing audits and addressing non-conformances identified
• Experience of training and mentoring.
• Experience of incident reporting and investigation.
• IT competent, able to effectively use, Microsoft Word and Excel.

Desirable

• Relevant experience of working in the NHS.
• Experience of managing people.

Skills & Abilities Essential

• Excellent interpretation and analytical skills.
• Able to prioritise own workload and that of others to meet needs of the service.
• Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time.
• High degree of manual dexterity to perform complex laboratory techniques.
• Self-motivated and proactive
• Professional, friendly and approachable.
• Demonstrable mentoring skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as being a strong team player.
• Ability to respond flexibly to problems and issues raised and respond appropriately.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to work to tight and often challenging timescales.

Personal Qualities Essential

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strives for excellence.
• Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
• Ability to meet targets and deadlines.
• Ability to be flexible and respond to the needs of the service.
• Ability to learn and assimilate new information.
• Organised but able to cope with interruptions.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines where there are competing demands.
• Awareness of self and impact on others.
• Flexible approach to working hours/duties.

Desirable

• Credible and effective leadership qualities.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bury St Edmunds

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP332QZ

Employer's website

https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bury St Edmunds

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP332QZ

Employer's website

https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)