Senior Biomedical Scientist

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a motivated and innovative Senior Biomedical Scientist to join their Pathology team. This role will work collaboratively across sites, requiring HCPC registration and a strong background in biochemistry. The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, leadership experience, and a commitment to maintaining high standards for patient care. Flexible working hours are required, and opportunities for professional development are included.

Benefits

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Staff benefits

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years post-registration experience.
• HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist with a higher-level qualification.
• Experience of using instrumentation and specialised techniques.

Responsibilities

• Deputise for Operational Lead BMS in their absence.
• Provide leadership and manage staffing within the department.
• Maintain UKAS accreditation and ensure quality control.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Advanced knowledge of laboratory techniques

Ability to communicate with all levels of staff

Ability to understand new technological advances

Education

IBMS accredited degree

IBMS specialist portfolio

Job description

Overview

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, our main priority is providing safe and high quality care to our patients every day. If you share our passion, apply for this opportunity to help us make our patients’ experience the best it can be. North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital-based services to Hartlepool, Stockton on Tees and parts of East Durham and Sedgefield, as well as community, therapeutic and screening services to a wider population across Durham and Teesside.

Job overview

The Pathology departments at North Tees and South Tees hospitals are working collaboratively to develop a joint service with services delivered from all hospital sites via hub and essential services laboratory arrangements. This will require cross-site working as appropriate. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a professional, motivated and innovative Biomedical Scientist to join our team as a Senior Biomedical Scientist in Biochemistry. The post holder will work closely with other very senior staff across pathology and in support of the development of the Tees Valley Pathology Service in collaboration with South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, to deliver a high quality service to our users.

The successful candidate will be a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist. They will have completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio and hold an appropriate higher-level qualification. The post holder will have experience working at a high level of specialist technical knowledge in Biochemistry with managerial oversight and contribute to the maintenance of departmental UKAS accreditation. Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to work on own initiative and meet tight deadlines are essential. The departments provide a 24/7 service and the post holder is expected to work flexibly within these hours.

Main duties of the job

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, teamwork and problem solving are essential, with a flexible attitude to work and willingness to adapt to changes in working practice.
• The Department has UKAS accreditation, IBMS training approval and CPD is actively encouraged.
• This role requires predominantly core hours to ensure continuous senior leadership and co-ordination on a day-to-day basis, with some out of hours work to maintain skill and competency.
• This is a senior level laboratory post which includes provision of advanced technical support, supervision, training and management to provide a technical service meeting Trust and national standards. The post holder will coach and mentor Biomedical Scientists and assist with post-registration qualifications.

Working for our organisation

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust our priority is to provide safe and high quality care to our patients every day. We aim to be the best place to work with the right staff, in the right roles, at the right time, to deliver exceptional patient care and experience. We support staff through an inclusive and supportive workplace with health and wellbeing initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development. Staff recognition is important, including Star and Team of the Month, colleague recognition, Managers Awards, Shining Stars and Service Awards. We recruit for values and are “Together we are North Tees & Hartlepool”.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Human Resource Management
  • To deputise for Operational Lead BMS in their absence.
  • To provide leadership in a team environment and support all staff.
  • To manage robust rota and annual leave to ensure appropriate staffing within the department.
  • To apply induction arrangements for new staff and visitors.
  • To manage staff including performance, work evaluation and discipline under direction of Biochemistry Scientific Leads/Managers; maintain comprehensive staff records.
  • To lead recruitment and selection procedures; carry out regular appraisals; develop personal development plans; attend mandatory training.
  • Act as first point of contact for staff in instances of conflict; supervise Biomedical Scientists and report capability or conduct issues.
  • Promote equality, diversity and inclusion; support flexible working; reduce sickness absence and workplace incidents.
  • Take responsibility for personal development and the development of a Personal Development Plan.
• Quality Management and Clinical Governance
  • Write standard operating procedures and ensure adherence in collaboration with Biochemistry Scientific Leads/Managers.
  • Implement internal and external quality control and resolve non-conformances in a timely manner.
  • Perform risk assessments, COSHH assessments and incident reporting; conduct audits and manage non-compliance via Q Pulse.
  • Attend departmental quality meetings and provide QC reports, trend analysis, and incident reports; deputise for the Chair as required.
  • Report workloads, turnaround times and performance indicators; promote lean working and contribute to licensing and accreditation standards as relevant.
• Scientific and Diagnostic
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge to inform service improvements, equipment needs, and planning.
  • Plan and prioritise workflows with senior staff to ensure timely and accurate results for high-quality diagnostics.
  • Directly accountable for delivering the technical/scientific service within the management structure.
  • Critically evaluate new equipment and procedures and report findings to Biochemistry Scientific Leads/Managers and Consultants.
  • Ensure adequate stocks of reagents and consumables; manage stock control and order new stock per Trust Standing Financial Orders.
  • Notify estates of equipment or building failures as appropriate.
• Training and Education
  • Mentor staff, especially in post-registration qualifications on specialist and higher specialist portfolios and leadership qualifications.
  • Deliver training on new equipment and methodologies; provide CPD presentations; share knowledge with staff.
• Financial
  • Authorize expenditure within agreed limits including staff expenses and overtime payments.
• Control of Infection
  • Comply with all Trust infection prevention and control policies; complete annual infection prevention training.
• Communication and Working Relationships
  • Communicate with all laboratory staff and across the Pathology Directorate; report results to service users; maintain regular communication with the Departmental Head and Senior Biomedical Scientists.
  • Participate in laboratory meetings; chair meetings on request; provide training as required; treat all colleagues with courtesy and respect.
• The most challenging part of the job
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge; manage staff training to maintain competency; present new laboratory developments to staff and clinical areas.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• IBMS accredited degree with HCPC registration
• IBMS specialist portfolio in appropriate discipline and either IBMS HSD or an appropriate MSc.
• Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD)

Desirable criteria

• Supervisory/management qualification
• IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice in Leadership and Management

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Advanced knowledge of laboratory techniques and Biomedical science.
• Basic working knowledge of Pathology IT systems; knowledge of relevant legislation and safety measures.
• Experience of UKAS accreditation

Desirable criteria

• Advanced working knowledge of Pathology IT systems
• Management knowledge

Experience

Essential criteria

• Minimum 3 years post-registration experience
• Experience of using instrumentation and specialised techniques within the department/sections

Desirable criteria

• Management experience; evidence of change management; method development expertise

Skills

Essential criteria

• Able to communicate with all levels of staff
• Able to understand new technological advances
• Able to prepare documents at short notice
• Able to maintain good relations with all staff

Disposition

Essential criteria

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Calm under pressure
• Enthusiastic and forward looking
• Focused on best interests of patients

Please note: Once sufficient applications have been received, this vacancy may close early.

Other information

• Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS) – It is policy that new-to-trust candidates requiring DBS clearance pay the cost, deducted from salary; DBS check will be undertaken during pre-employment screening.
• New Starters – Probationary Period – 6 months; internal applicants or fixed-term appointments under 6 months may be exempt.
• Employment References – Provide last three years of employment history with contact details; personal references not acceptable.
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – Monitoring information used for recruitment purposes only; recruitment on ability and job requirements.
• Right to Work in the UK – Sponsorship guidance available; Health and Care Worker visa may apply; sponsorship subject to eligibility.
• Disability – Positive about Disabled People employer; contact recruitment team if assistance is needed with the application.
• Armed Forces Covenant – Signatory and Silver Employer; supports reservists and veterans.
• Documents to download – Job Description, Staff Network Job Advert 2025, NTHFT packets and guidance notes (PDFs) are available.