Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist – Quality Officer

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Brighton; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Sussex seeks a Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist – Quality Officer. In this full-time role, you will manage and support the Special Chemistry section while ensuring compliance with quality standards. This position offers opportunities for professional growth within a dynamic team committed to patient care and innovation.

Benefits

Wellbeing Programme

Opportunities for professional growth

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years Haematology laboratory experience in NHS.
• In-depth knowledge of quality management systems within Pathology.
• Experience performing audits.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily running of the Special Chemistry section.
• Coordinate and support quality tasks like audits and quality reports.
• Act as a departmental lead for quality.

Skills

Advanced scientific knowledge of Special Chemistry

Experience in quality management standards

Staff support and training

Education

Post Specialist IBMS portfolio or HPC/CPSM logbook

Job description

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Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist – Quality Officer

Band 7

Main area Biochemistry Grade Band 7 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 279-7253753-JUN25

Employer 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Sussex County Hospital Town Brighton Salary £46,148 - £52,809 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 29/06/2025 23:59

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’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and 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, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and 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 and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

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

Job overview

We are seeking a motivated, enthusiastic, and suitably qualified Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist – Quality Officer to join the Biochemistry team at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. Based primarily in Special Chemistry at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, with cross-site responsibilities at Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath, this role offers experience across a wide range of Chemistry specialisms and quality support.

You will typically spend two days per week overseeing the daily running of the Special Chemistry section, working closely with the Senior BMS team and under the guidance of the Senior Lead BMS. This department features an extensive specialist repertoire including high-resolution mass spectrometry, ICP-MS, electrophoresis, FTIR-ATR and more.

The remaining time will focus on supporting quality across Chemistry and Immunology—ensuring continued compliance with ISO standards and regulatory requirements. The balance of duties is flexible and may vary depending on service needs. You’ll work as part of a supportive and innovative team, with opportunities to contribute to service development and professional growth.

Our coastal locations offer a fantastic quality of life. Brighton is a vibrant city known for its arts, culture, and nightlife, with direct access to London. Haywards Heath provides a quieter setting with green spaces, great schools, and excellent transport links.

Main duties of the job

An advanced scientific knowledge of Special Chemistry along with the ability to demonstrate extensive experience of staff support, training, development and supervision is essential.

An extensive knowledge and awareness of the requirements of UKAS and other quality management standards is essential. They will assist coordinate and support the department with quality tasks such as audits, preparing monthly quality reports, assisting in investigating and resolving incidents, complaints etc.

The successful candidate will act as part of the Special Chemistry Senior Specialist BMS team and Quality Officer.

Please read the attached job description and person specification for further details.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and 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, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and 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 and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

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

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As a Senior BMS the post holder will spend two days assisting in the organisation of all work in the Special Chemistry section, in conjunction with the Senior Lead BMS and other senior staff, ensuring high quality scientific data, produced in a timely manner and the other three days as a Quality officer. This arrangement may change accordingly with increased Quality demands. The post-holder will serve as a departmental lead for quality, providing support, specialist knowledge and scientific/technical expertise on all quality matters to ensure the safe delivery of the clinical diagnostic service and maintenance of UKAS accreditation.

The post-holder will be responsible for the local delivery of the UHSussex Pathology quality management system. This will include facilitating the delivery of specialist training and systematic inspection programmes for all staff grades

The Quality officer will be responsible in helping maintain the quality of the service within Chemistry and Immunology by ensuring the laboratory adheres to Pathology and department procedures to maintain compliance with ISO, regulatory and national requirements. They will assist coordinate and support quality tasks such as audits, preparing monthly quality reports, assisting in investigating and resolving incidents, complaints etc.

They will work closely with other section quality officers across different disciplines/ sites and reports to the Head of Service and Head of Quality & Compliance, Pathology.

Person specification

Experience

• A minimum of 4 years post Specialist IBMS portfolio or HPC/CPSM logbook and Haematology laboratory experience in an NHS hospital laboratory at Band 6 level or above
• Up to date & in-depth knowledge of quality and sub-specialist area within primary discipline.
• Evidence of understanding quality and the QMS within Pathology and being able to analyse and interpret quality data.
• Evidence of being able to perform audits.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

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

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

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

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

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 for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Name Josh Travers Job title Senior Lead BMS - Specialist Biochemistry and TOX Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01273 69695555 Additional information

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