Senior Biomedical Scientist and Health and Safety Representative

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Lewes; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in Lewes seeks a Senior Biomedical Scientist (BMS) for its Cellular Pathology Laboratory. The ideal candidate will manage operational tasks, supervise a team, and ensure compliance with health standards. Candidates must have an MSc in Cellular Pathology and extensive lab experience. Join us to contribute to high-quality patient care in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Wellbeing programme

Flexible working where possible

Staff networks and buddy support

Qualifications

• Registered with HCPC.
• Extensive experience in a Cellular Pathology lab required.
• Ability to work independently and manage a team.

Responsibilities

• Manage operational delivery of the cellular pathology service.
• Supervise a team of Biomedical Scientists and support staff.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Skills

HCPC registration

Demonstrated extensive clinical laboratory experience in Cellular Pathology

Proven ability to perform routine Histology tasks

Experience in managing a laboratory section

Health and Safety experience (COSHH, RA, audits)

Education

MSc in Cellular Pathology or equivalent

IBMS approved Biomedical Science degree

Job description

About our Trust

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute trusts, we strive for excellence, ambition and the values that have defined the NHS for over 70 years. Our people work together to put patients first. We are committed to diversity and inclusion, with staff networks and buddy support for new members. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We offer a wellbeing programme and flexible working where possible to support work-life balance. We value learning, teaching and training to help you grow and develop throughout your career.

As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

The Cellular Pathology Laboratory (main base RSCH, Brighton) within the newly formed University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust handles approximately 36,000 Histology requests and 4,500 Cytology requests per annum. The department also works with 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 laboratory and hold an MSc in Cellular Pathology or equivalent through postgraduate study and extensive relevant experience. This position will be based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, and the post-holder will be governed by the HR policies 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 service. The role includes acting as the Health and Safety representative for the department, ensuring Trust, HSE and UKAS compliance. The individual will apply professional judgement and use specialist skills to provide a high-quality and timely result service. The post holder should be able to work independently in all areas of the laboratory and as part of a team.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength. We want you to feel included and to help us put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will contribute to our innovative community. We offer staff networks and buddy support, and we are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. Our candidate information pack and wellbeing programmes are designed to support you, including flexible working where possible.

As a university trust and leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training. From the start of your tenure, we will help you grow and develop, aiming for a long and rewarding career where you feel valued.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Detailed job description and main 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 and supervise the team
• Ensure 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 across sections on a rotational basis
• Manage workflow of the section and ensure optimal use of staff
• Participate in routine Histology daily tasks (biopsy cut up, microtomy, embedding, special stains, frozen sections, QC)
• Oversee maintenance of laboratory instrumentation, troubleshoot malfunctions, and manage specialist equipment and reagents as appropriate
• Undertake analytical work using specialist knowledge and SOPs
• Monitor stocks of consumables, advise on deficiencies, and place orders as delegated
• Review and implement SOPs, ensuring compliance and initiating modifications as needed
• Undertake analytical validation of results
• Validate requests prior to processing for status and suitability
• Organise work across sections as required
• Perform highly complex analyses and interpret QC results to ensure accuracy and precision; monitor QC and take corrective action
• Perform external quality assurance analyses when required
• Monitor internal quality control across routine laboratory work and take corrective action as needed
• Coordinate External Quality Assessment samples and evaluate results, initiating remedial action

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship is dependent on meeting UKVI requirements including skill and salary thresholds and role-specific criteria.

Person specification

Education and experience

Essential criteria

• HCPC registration
• IBMS approved Biomedical Science degree
• MSc in Cellular Pathology or equivalent relevant postgraduate level courses/experience
• Demonstrated extensive clinical laboratory post-registration experience in Cellular Pathology
• Proven ability to perform routine Histology tasks including biopsy cut up, microtomy, QC and ICC
• Experience in managing a laboratory section on a daily basis

Desirable criteria

• Health and Safety experience (COSHH, RA, audits)
• Experience in leading and managing a team
• Experience in Lean working
• Experience in digital anatomical pathology

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria

• Evidence of championing diversity in roles
• Evidence of ongoing development to improve equality understanding

Important information for applicants

A Note on AI Use in Applications: We value your individuality and authenticity. Do not rely on AI-generated content for your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences and motivations. Applications heavily AI-generated may be rejected.

Closing adverts early may occur if there is exceptional interest. Some adverts are capped for limited applications; apply promptly to avoid missing out.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore flexible working options, please speak with the recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: We conduct a Disclosure and Barring Service check for roles eligible for a criminal record check, in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for roles meeting the eligibility criteria. For information, visit gov.uk.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Further information

For help with the application process: Nursing vacancies – [e-mail]; Non-Nursing vacancies – [e-mail].

Documents to download: Job Description & Person Specification (PDF); Trust overview (PDF); Staff Networks Flyer (PDF); Guide to completing an application (PDF); Candidate Information Pack (PDF).