Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Biochemistry | East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust; Colchester; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK healthcare provider is looking for a motivated Band 6 Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Biochemistry to cover maternity leave. Responsibilities include maintaining the quality management system, training junior staff, and leading laboratory operations. Applicants must have an MSc in Biomedical Science and HCPC registration. Offers competitive benefits and a supportive work culture.

Benefits

27 days annual leave on commencement

Generous pension scheme

Access to NHS discounts

Supportive training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Registered with the HCPC as a BMS.
• Completed the IBMS specialist portfolio or equivalent proven experience in Biochemistry at band 6.
• Experience working within a Biochemistry Department.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the quality management system.
• Train less experienced staff.
• Validate and authorize results.
• Lead the laboratory and work independently.

Skills

In-depth knowledge of Biochemistry laboratory services

Mentoring junior staff

Quality management system maintenance

Education

MSc in Biomedical Science

Tools

Roche Cobas 8000 analysers

P612 pre-analytics

NORTSTAR BIO-UV analyser

Job description

Overview

Colchester Hospital are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Band 6 Specialist Biomedical Scientist Biochemistry to join our team to cover maternity leave until 31/10/2026.

Qualifications

• MSc in Biomedical Science, registered with the HCPC as a BMS and have completed the IBMS specialist portfolio (Clinical Biochemistry) or have equivalent proven experience in Biochemistry at band 6.

Experience and capabilities

You must have an in-depth knowledge of the requirements of a modern Biochemistry laboratory service with previous experience of working within the Biochemistry Department.

Equipment and rota

We are equipped with Roche Cobas 8000 analysers (c702/e801), P612 pre-analytics and NORTSTAR BIO-UV analyser. We are the spoke lab for ESNEFT, operating a 24/7 service, where you are expected to participate in the 24/7 out of service rota which attracts a night rate enhancement for lone working.

Organisation and culture

Our vision is to deliver innovations, high-performing pathology services that are focused on our customers and deliver high quality and fully compliant services. We are clinically led and designed to achieve the benefits of scale that can be achieved by working together to meet our service users’ needs and support the excellent clinical care provided by our hospitals. We are committed to attracting, developing and retaining the best pathology staff. We encourage our staff to undertake internal and external courses to aid their development. Internal applicants currently employed by ESNEFT will be offered on a secondment basis only. Our pathology department is part of the collaborative East Coast Pathology Network (see attached document).

About ESNEFT

Our pathology service information: https://youtu.be/FBrydUl_c5w

Specialist Biomedical Scientist Job Information

You will enjoy a varied range of responsibilities from maintaining the quality management system, training of less experienced members of staff, validating and authorizing results and most importantly providing safe quality service for our patients. As an experienced member of staff you will be a mentor to our junior staff, assisting them with their development.

Role and duties

As a shift lead you will be responsible for the running of the laboratory and you will need to have the flexibility to do out of hours to deliver a 24 hours, 7 days per week service. You will work independently and lead on the specialist area as directed by the Lead Biomedical Scientist.

Safety

The work of the service brings staff into constant contact with human body fluids, tissues and hazardous chemicals. This may include blood, pus, urine, faeces, and respiratory secretions.

Location and scope

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes. We are the largest NHS organisation in East Anglia, employing more than 12,000 staff.

Benefits and working culture

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options. In addition, we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offers a variety of services. Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone, and across the Trust we focus on improving processes and reducing time delays for staff and patients. We are investing in digital transformation with a partnership with Epic to introduce a leading electronic patient record system.

How to apply and additional information

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you. Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

This advert closes on Sunday 5 Oct 2025