Senior Biomedical Scientist and Health and Safety Representative

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279); Brighton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Brighton is seeking a Senior Biomedical Scientist to manage the Cellular Pathology service. Key responsibilities include overseeing lab sections, ensuring compliance with Health and Safety regulations, and leading a dedicated team. Applicants must hold an MSc in Cellular Pathology and relevant clinical laboratory experience. The position offers opportunities for career growth within a diverse team.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration required.
• Demonstrated technical competence in routine Histology tasks.
• Experience managing a section of the laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for operational delivery of the cellular pathology service.
• Lead and supervise a team of Biomedical Scientists.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety regulations.

Skills

Clinical laboratory experience

Health and Safety management

Leadership and team management

Education

MSC in Cellular Pathology

IBMS approved Biomedical Science degree

Job description

Senior Biomedical Scientist and Health and Safety Representative

The closing date is 29 September 2025

The Cellular Pathology Laboratory (main base RSCH, Brighton) within the newly formed University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust deals with approximately 36,000 Histology requests and 4,500 Cytology requests per annum.

In addition to routine Histology, the department also undertakes work in Immunocytochemistry (ICC), Special Stains, Electron Microscopy, Diagnostic Cytology, Frozen sections, Brain smears and Digital Pathology.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for Senior BMS to join our busy, friendly team. Applicants must be currently working in a UKAS accredited Cellular Pathology and hold an MSc in Cellular Pathology or equivalent through in-depth experience/ postgraduate level courses / and extensive relevant experience.

This position will be based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, and the post-holder will be held accountable to the HR policies and procedures of University Hospitals Sussex.

Routine opening hours are 08:30 - 17:00 Monday to Friday

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be part of a team of senior scientists responsible for the operational delivery of the Cellular Pathology service.

They will provide day to day management of allocated sections within the laboratory, leading and supervising a team of Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Laboratory Assistants to deliver a high quality laboratory service.

The post holder will also be required to act as the Health and Safety representative for the department, ensuring Trust, HSE and UKAS compliance is maintained.

The individual will be expected to apply professional judgement and utilise specialist skills and detailed scientific knowledge to provide a high quality and timely result service.

The post holder will be expected to work independently in all areas of the laboratory and to work as part of a team of laboratory personnel.

About us

At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We\'re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We\'re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme,for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop.We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.

Job responsibilities

• Responsible for operational delivery of the cellular pathology service in conjunction with Senior and Lead BMS Colleagues
• Provide day to day management of allocated sections within the laboratory, leading and supervising the team that work in that section
• Responsible for providing the routine and specialist cellular pathology service for UHSussex East
• Responsible for Health and Safety activities within the department, including Risk Assessments, COSHH forms, audits and staff training.
• To undertake manual, and automated laboratory investigations on a rotational basis covering all sections within these areas
• To manage the workflow of the section including ensuring the optimal usage of other staff assigned to the section.
• Participate in all aspects of routine Histology on a daily basis, including biopsy cut up, microtomy, embedding, special stains, frozen sections and QC
• Responsible for overseeing routine maintenance on laboratory instrumentation to a high standard, and troubleshooting of malfunctions. In particular, responsibility for any specialist equipment, reagents, etc. as appropriate to a designated section.
• Undertakes analytical work by the application of specialist knowledge and experience, in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures
• To monitor stocks of consumables and reagents, to advise on any deficiencies, and place orders as delegated by the Lead BMS.
• Critically reviews, prepares, implements and ensures compliance with Standard Operating Procedures and initiates modification as appropriate.
• Undertakes analytical validation of results produced
• Validates requests prior to processing for status and suitability.
• Undertakes organisation of work in other sections as required.
• Performs highly complex analysis, and interprets the analysis of quality control samples to ensure accuracy and precision, monitors internal quality control, carrying out any initial corrective action.
• Performs external quality assurance analysis when required.
• Monitors internal quality control of all aspects of routine laboratory work. Takes corrective action as necessary.
• Co-ordinates External Quality Assessment samples to the scheme organisers.
• Evaluates results of external quality assurance and initiates remedial action as required.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.

Person Specification

Education and experince

• HCPC registration
• IBMS approved Biomedical Science degree
• MSC in Cellular Pathology or equivalent relevant in depth experience/post grad level courses
• Demonstration within application of extensive clinical laboratory post registration experience in Cellular Pathology
• Demonstration within application of recent and extensive technical competence to perform all routine Histology tasks including biopsy cut up, microtomy, QC and ICC
• Demonstration within application of managing a section of the laboratory on a daily basis
• Health and Safety experience, including COSHH, RA, audits
• Experience of leading and managing a team
• Experience in Lean working
• Experience in digital anatomical pathology

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

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.

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)