Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Integrated Care System; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading NHS Trust as a Biomedical Scientist within a dynamic pathology network serving nearly 2 million people. This role involves important responsibilities in histology and cytology with opportunities for career development. The position offers a supportive work-life balance and extensive benefits, including a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement.

Benefits

At least 27 days of annual leave plus public holidays

Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme with 20.6% employer contribution

Blue Light card eligibility

Qualifications

• HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist.
• Minimum 2 years' experience at AfC band 5 or equivalent.
• Active CPD participation in relevant field.

Responsibilities

• Review and ensure error-free application submissions.
• Participate in leadership within the laboratory team.
• Conduct laboratory audits and uphold standards.

Skills

High manual dexterity

Organisational skills under pressure

Leadership and team management

Problem-solving and decision-making abilities

Effective communication skills

Supervisory and teaching capabilities

Basic IT literacy

Education

HCPC registration

IBMS certificates of extended or expert practice

Membership (MIBMS) or Fellowship of IBMS (FIBMS)

Job description

Maidstone Hospital, situated in the heart of the Kent countryside, covers a large population and includes the regional Oncology centre which is expanding in support of the Kent cancer network.

The department provides services for Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trusts, Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust. Consequently, there is a combined Histology workload of around 84,000 cases per year. The department carries out a wide range of investigations including various specialist resections from hospitals within Kent & Medway. It also includes an expanding immunocytochemistry section with an annual throughput of approximately 54,000 tests. The Cytology workload includes 3,200 diagnostic cytology cases per year.

The department moved to a custom-built new facility in May 2011. It is computerised and well equipped. Career development and participation in CPD are actively encouraged.

Applications are invited from experienced HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists. This post would suit an enthusiastic and self-motivated person with good organisational, interpersonal, and communication skills. The ability to work as part of a team and to lead others is required. Histology laboratory experience is essential, and experience of diagnostic cytology preparation techniques is desirable.

A development role will be considered.

Main duties of the job

Working for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, you will be part of the Kent and Medway Pathology Network, which includes seven laboratories across three pathology services in four acute Trusts. The network serves nearly 2 million people and aims to unify systems and processes for efficiency and quality.

You will not be expected to work at sites outside of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust but will have opportunities for collaborative work within the network.

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. Our team of over 8,000 staff offers specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. It offers planned care, including operating theatres, inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services, and consultation rooms.

We support flexible working arrangements. We are committed to accommodating your working needs to ensure a healthy work-life balance.

Joining us includes a benefits package with at least 27 days of annual leave plus public holidays (pro-rata for part-time), membership in the NHS Pension Scheme with a 20.6% employer contribution, Blue Light card eligibility, and additional benefits detailed in our benefits documents.

Job responsibilities

Review the detailed job description and person specification. Provide specific examples in your application demonstrating how you meet the criteria. Ensure your application is error-free before submission.

This role is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at Enhanced Level, including checks against vulnerable adults and children. Successful applicants will also complete our corporate trust induction once a start date is agreed.

Person Specification

Qualification

• HCPC registration
• IBMS certificates of extended or expert practice
• Membership (MIBMS) or Fellowship of IBMS (FIBMS)

Skills

• High manual dexterity
• Organisational skills under pressure
• Leadership and team management
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Effective communication skills
• Supervisory and teaching capabilities
• Basic IT literacy and proficiency in pathology systems and Microsoft Office

Experience/Knowledge

• Minimum 2 years' experience at AfC band 5 or equivalent
• Active CPD participation
• Leadership experience in a laboratory setting
• Experience in laboratory audits and understanding of Histology and Cytology techniques
• Knowledge of H&S requirements, laboratory accreditation, and ISO 15189 standards

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post requires a DBS check at the appropriate level to ensure suitability for working with vulnerable groups.

Salary: £37,338 to £44,962 per annum, pro-rata.