Senior Biomedical Scientist | North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Tees Valley is seeking a motivated Senior Biomedical Scientist specializing in Biochemistry. The role involves providing leadership, supporting staff development, and ensuring compliance with quality standards in a collaborative environment. Ideal candidates will be HCPC registered and possess advanced technical knowledge. This post offers opportunities for growth and continuous learning within the pathology department.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Health and well-being initiatives

Staff recognition programs

Qualifications

• HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist with expertise in Biochemistry.
• Experience working at a high level of specialist technical knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Operational Lead BMS.
• Provide leadership and manage staff including performance evaluations.
• Collaborate with Senior Biomedical Scientists for quality control.

Skills

HCPC registration

Excellent organisational skills

Interpersonal communication

Problem-solving abilities

Flexibility

Education

Higher-level qualification in Biomedical Science

Completed IBMS Specialist Portfolio

Job description

Advert may close early once sufficient volume of applications is reached

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 senior staff across pathology to support the development of the Tees Valley Pathology Service in collaboration with South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, delivering a high quality service to users.

The successful candidate will be HCPC registered as a 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 maintaining departmental UKAS accreditation.

The successful applicant must have excellent organisational skills, effective interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work using their own initiative to meet tight deadlines. The department provides a 24/7 service and the post holder is expected to work flexibly within these hours. Excellent verbal and written communications skills, teamwork and problem-solving abilities are essential, as is 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 that you work predominantly in core hours to ensure a continuous and consistent presence of senior leadership and coordination on a day-to-day basis, although some out-of-hours work is required to maintain skill and competency.

This is a senior level laboratory post which includes the provision of advanced technical support, supervision, training and management to provide a technical service meeting Trust and national standards. The post holder will provide coaching and mentoring to Biomedical Scientists and will help with the completion of post-registration qualifications.

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust our main priority is to provide safe and high-quality care to patients every day. We strive 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 well-being initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development. Staff recognition is important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Star and Team of the Month, colleague recognition, Managers Awards, Shining Stars and Service Awards. We recruit for values and “Together we are North Tees & Hartlepool.”

Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Operational Lead BMS in their absence.
• Provide leadership in a team environment and support all staff.
• Manage robust rota and annual leave to ensure appropriate staffing and skill mix.
• Apply induction arrangements for new staff and visitors according to Trust and local policy.
• Manage staff including performance, work evaluation and discipline, maintaining comprehensive staff records.
• Lead in recruitment and selection procedures and conduct regular staff appraisals.
• Develop personal development plans with Biochemistry Scientific Leads/Managers and attend mandatory training.
• Be the first point of contact for staff in instances of conflict and disagreement; supervise Biomedical Scientists and report issues to Biochemistry Scientific Leads/Managers.
• Promote equality and diversity; demonstrate commitment to IWL principles and flexible working; reduce sickness absence and workplace accidents; promote zero tolerance on violence against staff.
• Take responsibility for personal development and the development of a Personal Development Plan.

Quality Management and Clinical Governance

• Write standard operating procedures with Biochemistry Scientific Leads/Managers and ensure they are followed.
• Collaborate with other Senior Biomedical Scientists to implement quality control and resolve non-conformances timely.
• Perform risk assessments, COSHH assessments and incident reporting (InPhase).
• Conduct audits following an audit schedule and manage records on Q Pulse; highlight non-compliance to Biochemistry Scientific Leads/Managers.
• Attend departmental quality meetings, provide QC reports, trend analysis, complaints and incident reports as directed, and deputise for the Chair as required.
• Provide workload, turnaround time and performance indicator reports; recommend efficiency improvements in laboratory resources.
• Promote lean working to maintain a safe, tidy and efficient workplace; contribute to licensing and accreditation standards in collaboration with Biochemistry Scientific Leads/Managers.

Scientific and Diagnostic

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge to inform on service improvements, equipment requirements and business planning.
• Monitor maintenance procedures and perform advanced troubleshooting on highly complex equipment.
• Plan and prioritise workflows with Biochemistry Scientific Leads/Managers to deliver timely and accurate results and high diagnostic standards.
• Directly accountable for the delivery of 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; perform stock control and order stock per Trust Standing Financial Orders; notify estates/building failures as needed.

Training and Education

• Mentor staff, particularly in completing post-registration qualifications (e.g., specialist and higher specialist portfolios, leadership and management qualifications).
• Deliver training on new equipment and methodologies; provide CPD via presentations to laboratory staff.
• Share up-to-date knowledge with staff.

Financial

• Authorize expenditure within agreed limits including staff expenses and overtime payments.

Control of Infection

• Comply with Trust infection prevention and control policies, including hand hygiene and environmental hygiene.
• Undertake annual infection prevention and control training/updates.

Communication and Working Relationships

• Liaise with all members of the laboratory team and across the Pathology Directorate.
• Communicate patient results to service users (including acute and primary care trusts).
• Maintain regular communication with Departmental Head and Senior Biomedical Scientists regarding training and work matters.
• Participate in laboratory meetings to disseminate information; chair meetings for Biochemistry Scientific Leads/Managers when requested.
• Provide training to laboratory staff in area of expertise; treat colleagues and users with courtesy and respect as per Trust Personal Responsibility Framework.

The most challenging part of the job

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge in areas of expertise.
• Lead staff training to maintain competency; present new laboratory developments to staff both within the laboratory and in clinical areas.

This advert closes on Tuesday 28 Oct 2025