Specialist Biomedical Scientist

NHS; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Swindon seeks an experienced Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join the Blood Sciences Chemical Pathology section on a 12-month fixed-term contract (maternity cover). HCPC registered, IBMS accredited degree required, with responsibility for equipment maintenance, QC and troubleshooting.

The role involves out-of-hours shift work and contributing to quality management within a busy lab that handles millions of test requests annually.

Qualifications

• IBMS-accredited degree or equivalent.
• HCPC registration as Biomedical Scientist.
• Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences or related subject.
• Health and Safety training and Quality management training required.

Responsibilities

• To act as a State Registered Biomedical Scientist who provides a comprehensive range of scientific and diagnostic services throughout the Chemical Pathology department.
• To perform automated and manual laboratory procedures of varying complexity in accordance with SOPs.
• To contribute to the departmental out-of-hours shift rota and have a flexible approach to hours of employment, according to individual contract.
• To liaise with a wide range of staff groups, both internal and external to the department.

Skills

Health and Safety training

Quality management training

Leadership experience

Education

IBMS accredited Biomedical Sciences degree (or equivalent approved by the IBMS)

HCPC registration as biomedical scientist

Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences or related subject (or equivalent)

Job description

Go back Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Biomedical Scientist

The closing date is 01 October 2026

12-Month Fixed Term Contract (Maternity cover)

This role is an opportunity for an experienced, well-motivated Biomedical Scientist with Health and Care Professionals Council registration to join the Great Western Hospitals Chemical Pathology section within Blood Sciences department.

The post holder will join a team of dedicated professionals working to deliver high quality test results and excellent care to patients across Swindon and the surrounding area. The Great Western Hospitals Blood Science department handles over 6 million test requests per year and offers a large repertoire of tests for our patients.

The post holder will be expected to work at a competence level equivalentto the Institute of Biomedical Scientists Specialist Portfolio in Clinical Chemistry and contribute to the effective running of the Chemical Pathology department by performing equipment maintenance, quality controls and troubleshooting procedures. The laboratory operates a quality management system (QMS) which all staff members engage with to ensure all processes are followed according to SOPs and documented according to the departmental policies.

PLEASE NOTE: Sponsorship is only available if you currently work at the same banding in the UK

Main duties of the job

The Chemical Pathology department performs analysis of a variety of clinical biochemistry tests through the automated equipment. This is currently provided by Beckman-Coulter and consists of two sets of DxI 800 analysers linked to DxC AU 700 analysers via a Powerlink and a single stand alone DxC AU 700. The department also provides services for xanthochromia, drugs of abuse analysis and HbA1c in a dedicated area of the lab.

Senior Biomedical Scientists support this role and other BMS roles in the department.

There is a requirement for out of hours shift cover, including lates, nights and weekend shifts. This is distributed to all staff via a rota.

About us

We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group - a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people.

We are creating a heath and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

Job responsibilities

To act as a State Registered Biomedical Scientist (BMS) who provides a comprehensive range of scientific and diagnostic services throughout the Chemical Pathology department.

To perform automated and manual laboratory procedures of varying complexity in accordance with Standard operating procedures (SOPs).

To contribute to the departmental out-of-hours shift rota and have a flexible approach to hours of employment, according to individual contract.

To liaise with a wide range of staff groups, both internal and external to the department

Person Specification

Qualifications

• IBMS accredited Biomedical Sciences degree (or equivalent approved by the IBMS)
• HCPC registration as a biomedical scientist
• Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences or related subject (or equivalent)
• Health and Safety training
• Quality management training

Experience

• Significant experience working in a clinical laboratory in biochemistry
• Demonstratable experience working within an NHS laboratory environment
• Demonstratable experience leading staff
• Demonstratable experience working within a quality team or with quality related tasks
• Demonstratable experience of the GWH Chemical Pathology workflow processes

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£39,959 to £48,117 a yearpro rata per annum