Senior Biomedical Scientist Non-Gynae Cytology

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Liverpool is looking for a Senior Biomedical Scientist in Non-Gynae Cytology. The successful candidate will provide operational leadership and ensure timely, high-quality diagnostic delivery. Candidates should possess HPC registration and relevant post registration experience, particularly in histopathology. This role includes driving service improvements and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient outcomes. Opportunities for influencing strategic direction and expanding services are part of this progressive position.

Qualifications

• Post registration experience in a histopathology laboratory required.
• In-depth specialist knowledge of histology necessary.
• Practical experience in non-gynae cytology and immunocytochemistry expected.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership for the Cytology service.
• Maintain compliance with UKAS ISO 15189 standards.
• Drive service improvement and collaborate with clinical teams.

Skills

Flexible and adaptable approach to work

Good time keeping

Evidence of good verbal skills

Motivational skills

Previous supervisory experience

Education

MSc or relevant experience

HPC registration

Job description

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Biomedical Scientist Non-Gynae Cytology

The closing date is 05 February 2026

Liverpool Clinical Laboratories is seeking an experienced and motivated Cytology Laboratory Manager to help lead one of the largest and most progressive cytology services in the region. The service delivers a high volume of diagnostic cytology across multiple hospital sites, with demand continuing to grow and opportunities emerging for service expansion and restructure.

This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of a high-impact diagnostic service recognised for innovation, quality, and patient-centred care. Working alongside an experienced and established Cellular Pathology team, you will play a key role in delivering safe, efficient, and accredited cytology services, supporting clinic adequacy provision, turnaround times, and service resilience, while leading service improvement, workforce development, and structural change.

We are seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking leader who thrives in complex environments and is motivated by transformation and continuous improvement. Service structure is being reviewed and the scope of the role might change.

In return, we offer the opportunity to influence strategic direction, support service expansion, and make a meaningful difference to patient outcomes within a supportive and ambitious organisation.

For further information or to arrange an informal visit, please contact Mr Robert Lee, Cytology Manager, Cellular Pathology ([e-mail]).

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide operational and professional leadership for the Cytology service, ensuring safe, high-quality, and timely diagnostic delivery across multiple sites. The role involves overseeing day-to-day laboratory and clinic support activity, maintaining compliance with UKAS ISO 15189 standards, and supporting performance against turnaround time targets. You will lead and develop a specialist workforce, promote staff wellbeing, and build resilience within a small, high-pressure team.

The role also includes driving service improvement, supporting service expansion and restructure, and working collaboratively with clinical, managerial, and cellular pathology colleagues to adopt new technologies and improve patient outcomes.

About us

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.

UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women's Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

For roles at Liverpool Women's, visit their careers page.

Job responsibilities

1. Service Leadership and Operational Accountability

Provide senior operational and professional leadership for the Cytology service, ensuring safe, timely, and high-quality diagnostic delivery from sample receipt through to reporting support and archiving.

Take delegated day-to-day responsibility for service performance, workflow management, capacity planning, and escalation of operational issues within the Cytology service.

Work collaboratively with Cellular Pathology management, Laboratory Managers, Team Leaders, and clinical colleagues to support service resilience and continuity.

2. Quality Management, Governance and Accreditation

Support the implementation and maintenance of compliance with UKAS ISO 15189, Trust policies, and relevant national standards within the Cytology service.

Ensure effective quality control, quality assurance, internal audit participation, non-conformance management, and CAPA implementation within managed areas.

Participate in the investigation of incidents, complaints, and service risks, ensuring learning is shared and improvements embedded.

Ensure SOPs, validation records, and document control systems are maintained, accessible, and adhered to.

3. Workforce Management, Training and Development

Provide line management and professional supervision for Team Leaders and senior cytology staff, ensuring appropriate delegation and support.

Support workforce planning, recruitment, induction, appraisal, performance management, and absence management in line with Trust policies.

Ensure staff are trained, competent, and authorised for their roles, with clear competency assessment and training frameworks in place.

Promote staff wellbeing, CPD, equality, and a positive team culture within a specialist service environment.

4. Technical Oversight and Specialist Practice

Maintain specialist oversight of cytology laboratory processes, including sample preparation, screening support, reporting workflows, archiving, and to take an active role in clinic adequacy services.

Provide senior technical advice and problem-solving support in complex or specialist situations, escalating issues as appropriate.

Support validation, verification, and implementation of new techniques, equipment, and workflows, including digital cytology developments.

5. Audit, Research and Service Improvement

Support service-led audits, quality improvement projects, and innovation within Cytology.

Assist with laboratory support for research or clinical trial activity where applicable, ensuring traceability, documentation, and quality standards are maintained.

Use audit outcomes and performance data to inform service improvement.

6. Resources, Equipment and Infrastructure

Support stock control, procurement processes, and supplier liaison for cytology consumables and equipment.

Ensure laboratory equipment is appropriately maintained, validated, and fit for purpose.

Contribute to planning for service capacity, sustainability, and future development.

7. Health, Safety and Risk Management

Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, COSHH, infection prevention, and local risk management procedures.

Identify and escalate operational and clinical risks, supporting the implementation of control measures.

Promote a positive safety culture within the Cytology service.

8. Communication and Service Contribution

Act as a key operational contact for Cytology-related matters.

Contribute performance information, reports, and assurance to Cellular Pathology management and governance meetings.

Support service change, expansion, and restructure under the direction of senior management.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• HPC registration
• MSc or relevant experience

Experience

• Relevant post registration experience in a histopathology laboratory
• In depth specialist knowledge of histology
• Evidence of practical experience in: non-gynae cytology, immunocytochemistry, renal and muscle biopsies.

Knowledge

• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Demonstrate knowledge of patient confidentiality
• Working knowledge of computers
• Understand and implements quality assurance
• Understanding of the need for health and safety in relation to themselves and others

Skills

• Evidence of a flexible and adaptable approach to work
• Good time keeping
• Evidence of ability to interact with other groups of staff
• Self confidence
• Evidence of good verbal skills
• Previous supervisory experience
• Managing minor breaches of discipline
• Motivational skills
• Evidence of ability to write documents
• Experience of in-house training of staff
• Experience in managing health and safety

Other

• Flexible and adaptable approach to work
• Good time keeping
• Self confidence

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.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust