Specialist Biomedical Scientist

The Methodist Church in Britain; Rotherham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Specialist Biomedical Scientist for up to 12 months in the histopathology department. The role involves processing around 30,000 samples yearly, including dissection, microtomy, stains, and molecular diagnostics.

You will rotate across lab areas, supervise staff, and contribute to audits and quality assurance while maintaining HCPC standards.

Qualifications

• IBMS-accredited degree in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent.
• IBMS post-graduate registration portfolio or equivalent, with commitment to complete the specialist BMS portfolio (Band 5).
• IBMS Specialist Diploma in a relevant specialist subject (Band 6).
• Commitment to mandatory training, laboratory competencies and CPD to maintain HCPC registration.

Responsibilities

• Process biomedical specimens to contribute to the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease.
• Carry out complex diagnostic tests and interpret the results to produce diagnostic reports.
• Perform routine histology work: dissection, microtomy, special stains, immunohistochemistry, molecular diagnostics and andrology.
• Take responsibility for scientific and technical service delivery in the histopathology section.
• Rotate across all areas of the laboratory.
• Support the monitoring of quality indicators.
• Supervise and train other staff.
• Carry out quality management duties such as audit and documentation review.
• Work to SOPs and health and safety procedures, and departmental policies.
• Follow good laboratory practice and meet UKAS and other regulatory standards, including HTA.
• Maintain HCPC professional standards and a CPD portfolio.

Skills

Effective communication

Time management

Teamwork

Manual dexterity

Education

IBMS-accredited degree in Biomedical Sciences

IBMS Post-graduate registration portfolio

IBMS Specialist Diploma

Tools

HCPC registration

Job description

This fixed-term Specialist Biomedical Scientist post sits in the histopathology department of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, for up to 12 months. Most of the work is processing around 30,000 histology, cytology and andrology samples a year, from dissection and microtomy through to special stains and molecular diagnostics. The post rotates across all laboratory areas and includes supervising staff, training and quality work such as audit, with banding at Band 5 or 6 depending on experience. Existing NHS staff are considered on secondment only.

What the job involves

• Process biomedical specimens to contribute to the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease
• Carry out complex diagnostic tests and interpret the results to produce diagnostic reports
• Perform routine histology work: BMS specimen dissection, microtomy, special stains, immunohistochemistry, molecular diagnostics and andrology
• Take responsibility for scientific and technical service delivery in the histopathology section
• Rotate across all areas of the laboratory
• Support the monitoring of quality indicators
• Supervise and train other staff
• Carry out quality management duties such as audit and documentation review
• Work to standard operating procedures, health and safety procedures, and departmental and organisational policies
• Follow good laboratory practice and meet UKAS and other professional and regulatory body standards, including HTA
• Maintain HCPC professional standards and a CPD portfolio

What’s required

Qualifications

• IBMS-accredited degree in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
• IBMS post-graduate registration portfolio or equivalent, with commitment to complete the specialist BMS portfolio (Band 5)
• IBMS Specialist Diploma in a relevant specialist subject (Band 6)
• Commitment to mandatory training, laboratory competencies and CPD to maintain HCPC registration

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist

Experience

• Experience with a range of laboratory techniques, including a wide range across the discipline (Band 6)
• Discipline-specific NHS experience in a UKAS-accredited laboratory (Band 6)
• Experience in a laboratory providing local, regional or national tertiary reference facilities (Band 6)
• Experience implementing new methodologies or equipment, and with the UKAS accreditation process (Band 6)Detailed understanding of the job content (Bands 5 and 6)

Skills & knowledge

• Keyboard and basic IT skills
• Effective communication with staff of all grades, and working both individually and in a team
• Time management, a methodical approach, good manual dexterity and concentration for extended periods
• Following SOPs and policy, health and safety awareness, composure under pressure and planning work

Other

• Working weekend, evening and out-of-hours shifts, including a 24/7 shift pattern
• Patient-focused and respectful, accountable with attention to detail, works in a team and meets timescales, committed to the role

Nice to have

• Evidence of continued CPD in health and safety, leadership, quality or training
• Discipline-specific NHS laboratory experience (Band 5)
• Multidisciplinary awareness (Band 5)
• Experience demonstrating leadership qualities (Band 5)

What’s offered

• Support for professional development, including academic courses, IBMS portfolios, apprenticeships and leadership qualifications
• Policies to support a balance between personal and professional life
• Opportunity to develop across all sites of the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw pathology service