Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for a Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Histopathology at Wythenshawe Hospital. You will work within ISO 15189 aligned processes, rotate across the department, and support diagnostics with immunohistochemistry expertise.

The post offers a 37.5-hour week, with a potential annex 21 training post, and a rotating shift pattern including weekends.

Qualifications

• IBMS accredited Biomedical Sciences degree and HCPC registration are essential.
• IBMS Specialist Diploma in Cellular Pathology or equivalent level of knowledge is desirable.
• CPD (continuous professional development) is expected.
• Experience in Histopathology and ISO 15189 standards is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Rotate across the department delivering scientific services to aid pathological diagnosis.
• Deputise for senior team members and manage workflow.
• Support documentation and staff training and development.
• Opportunity for cross-site training and exposure to immunohistochemistry work.

Skills

Histopathology experience

Laboratory workflow

Team training

Education

IBMS accredited Biomedical Sciences degree

HCPC registration

IBMS Specialist Diploma or equivalent

Job description

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Main area Histopathology Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Annex 21 considered for training post) Job ref 349-CSS-8096928-RL4

Site Wythenshawe Hospital Town Manchester Salary £39,959 - £48,117 Per Annum (Pro Rata) Salary period Yearly Closing 04/09/2026 08:00

Job overview

Band 6 with option of Annex 21 – dependent on holding a professional qualification

Whatever you’re looking for in your career, it is all here for you at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. With state-of-the-art facilities, you can advance your career in Histopathology. As the largest Cellular Pathology department in the country, we’re looking for a Specialist BMS (candidates completing their IBMS Specialist Portfolio will also be considered) to join our diverse teams on our Wythenshawe Hospital, where you’ll have the opportunity to work cross-site, offering exposure to specialist training.

Our laboratories have begun the implementation of SMART automation with the installation of the Sakura Tissue-Tek AutoTEC A120 automated embedding systems and Sakura Tissue-Tek Xpress X120. The laboratory has now installed the Sakura Smart Connect robotic arm, linking the two machines together to increase the automation in the laboratory. The service has an extensive Immunohistochemistry repertoire, including prognostic markers in Lung and Breast Cancer and Biomedical Scientist led scoring for breast markers, including DDISH and PDL1 for triple negative breast cancer.

The department are also working towards implementing digital imaging to support the Greater Manchester Strategy for Digital Pathology,

Working pattern Monday-Friday 7am-7pm and Sunday 8am-4pm on a rotational basis.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the role

• As a Specialist Biomedical Scientist, you’ll be experienced and operating as a Biomedical Scientist within Histopathology, in line with ISO 15189 standards and you’ll be rotated across the department, providing scientific services to patients and customers to aid pathological diagnosis.
• You’ll deputise for senior team members and manage workflow, support with the management of documentation, and general overall performance.
• You’ll also play a role in the training and development of scientific staff.
• Opportunities to be trained to support dissection of skin specimens, with cross site support.

Working for our organisation

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.

Whether you’re beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.
You’ll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.

At MFT, you’ll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.
Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’ll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Documents to download’ heading.

Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place.This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others.You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Documents to download’ heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS : Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS : Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children’s and/or adults’ barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment.If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person specification

Qualification

• IBMS accredited Biomedical Sciences degree (or other degree accredited with IBMS)
• Current HCPC registration
• IBMS Specialist Diploma in Cellular Pathology or equivalent level of knowledge/ working towards completing IBMS Specialist Portfolio Specialist
• CPD

Knowledge

• Experience in BMS transfer, embedding, microtomy skills, special stains techniques and Immunohistochemistry
• Good understanding of Health and Safety requirements within the scope of practice
• Knowledge of using a Quality Management system

Training and Experience

• Competence in a wide range of complex laboratory procedures
• Experience in the day to day guidance and support of junior staff in undertaking the laboratory workloadTraining and Experience

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.