Senior Biomedical Scientist and Health and Safety Representative

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279); Lewes; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust in Brighton is seeking a Senior Biomedical Scientist to join their Cellular Pathology team. You will manage laboratory operations, lead a team, and ensure compliance with health regulations. Candidates must hold an MSc in Cellular Pathology or relevant experience. This role promotes diversity and offers a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration required.
• IBMS approved Biomedical Science degree.
• MSc in Cellular Pathology or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience managing a section of the laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Manage the operational delivery of the Cellular Pathology service.
• Supervise and lead a team of Biomedical Scientists.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety standards.
• Perform analytical validation of results produced.

Skills

HCPC registration

Extensive post-registration experience in Cellular Pathology

Recent technical competence for routine Histology tasks

Experience managing a laboratory section

Education

IBMS approved Biomedical Science degree

MSc in Cellular Pathology or equivalent relevant experience

Job description

Job summary

The Cellular Pathology Laboratory (main base RSCH, Brighton) within the newly formed University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust processes approximately 36,000 Histology requests and 4,500 Cytology requests per annum. In addition to routine Histology, the department undertakes work in Immunocytochemistry (ICC), Special Stains, Electron Microscopy, Diagnostic Cytology, Frozen sections, Brain smears and Digital Pathology. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a 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 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 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 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. We offer a range of staff networks and support, including buddying for new members. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We are committed to patient and staff compassion and wellbeing, with flexible working where possible to support work-life balance. As a university trust and leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training to help you grow and develop. We hope you choose UHSx for a long and rewarding career where you feel valued for all you do. Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities include:

• 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 in that section
• Provide routine and specialist cellular pathology service for UHSussex East
• Health and Safety activities within the department, including Risk Assessments, COSHH forms, audits and staff training
• Undertake manual and automated laboratory investigations on a rotational basis covering all sections
• Manage workflow of the section to ensure optimal use of staff
• Participate in routine Histology daily activities (biopsy cut up, microtomy, embedding, special stains, frozen sections and QC)
• Oversee routine maintenance of laboratory instrumentation and troubleshoot malfunctions; responsible for specialist equipment and reagents as appropriate
• Undertake analytical work using specialist knowledge in accordance with SOPs
• Monitor stocks of consumables and reagents; advise on deficiencies and place orders as delegated
• Review, implement and ensure compliance with SOPs; initiate modifications where appropriate
• Undertake analytical validation of results produced
• Validate requests prior to processing for status and suitability
• Organise work across sections as required
• Perform highly complex analyses and interpret quality control results; monitor internal quality control and take corrective actions
• Perform external quality assurance analysis when required and coordinate External Quality Assessment samples
• Monitor internal quality control of routine laboratory work and take corrective action as necessary; evaluate EQA results and initiate remedial action

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

Person Specification

Education and experience

Essential

• HCPC registration
• IBMS approved Biomedical Science degree
• MSC in Cellular Pathology or equivalent relevant in-depth experience/postgraduate level courses
• Extensive post-registration experience in Cellular Pathology
• Recent and extensive technical competence to perform all routine Histology tasks including biopsy cut up, microtomy, QC and ICC
• Experience managing a section of the laboratory on a daily basis

Desirable

• Health and Safety experience, including COSHH, risk assessments, audits
• Experience in leading and managing a team
• Experience in Lean working
• Experience in digital anatomical pathology

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

• Evidence of championing diversity in previous roles
• Evidence of ongoing 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 requires a Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) 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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE

Website: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk