Team Leader Biomedical Scientist

Transformationunitgm; Leicester; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Team Leader Biomedical Scientist to oversee a dynamic laboratory team. This pivotal role involves managing daily operations, ensuring the highest quality standards, and providing expert guidance to staff. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in enhancing service delivery and performance, while also fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. If you are passionate about leading teams and delivering exceptional healthcare services, this opportunity is perfect for you!

Qualifications

• HCPC registration and IBMS membership required.
• Management qualification at certificate level or above.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the laboratory section to achieve operational goals.
• Provide professional leadership and line management for staff.
• Supervise and participate in the examination of clinical specimens.

Skills

Leadership

Team Management

Quality Management

Technical Expertise

Analytical Skills

Education

HCPC Registration

IBMS Membership

Management Qualification

Job description

Main area Biochemistry Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Permanent: shifts across 7 days, including Bank Holidays Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Covering 7 day service 24/7) Job ref 358-7057806-CSI-FIT-BC

Employer University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Leicester Royal Infirmary Town Leicester Salary £46,148 - £52,809 Per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 12/05/2025 23:59

Team Leader Biomedical Scientist

NHS AfC: Band 7

AI tools like chatbots and virtual assistants can support you as you complete your application. For example, they can check for spelling or grammar errors, or help you to decide what to include.

But they shouldn’t replace your own responses or be used to write the application for you.

Relying too much on AI can negatively impact your chances of success, because automatically generated answers:

• might not be specific or relevant enough to address the criteria in the recruitment profile
• often seem generic and not personalised enough – an AI response won’t show your unique voice and perspective
• could misrepresent information about you, such as your qualifications, skills and experience

We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct.

Job overview

Working under the leadership of the Laboratory Manager, the Team Leader role is critical to the successful operations of the service.

The role encompasses management of a team within a particular area of the service, which will require specialist knowledge pertaining to that area including the quality management system. The role is designed to fulfil the following functions:

• To organise the day-to-day operational management of a section of the laboratory ensuring optimal performance of equipment, materials, and staff.
• To provide professional leadership and line management for the staff of the section, to include work planning and rosters, training and mentoring, performance management and other HR issues
• As an advanced specialist Biomedical Scientist, to provide appropriate specialist advice on technical and scientific issues within the post holder’s area of expertise to the Laboratory Manager (LM)/ General Manager of Department.
• Assist the Quality leads with the implementation and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System

Main duties of the job

Leadership

• Provide strong visible leadership within the service in partnership with SLM, General Manager and Clinical Head of Service.
• Support with the delivery of ambitious targets to continually improve performance within all Services
• Ensuring staff are clear about what is expected and are working together in successful teams to achieve the Trust’s vision

Performance Management

• Identify performance objectives and ensure their delivery within the Service, accountable to the General Manager.
• Support the SLMs in ensuring the business is always maintained and meets clinical needs.
• On a day-to-day basis, manage the laboratory staff/ designated staff group, within the department in providing the service required.

Other Duties

• Represent Biochemistry at local or national meetings
• Sit on appointment panels.
• Deputise for the LM as required.
• The post holder is not required to provide cover for the routine out of hour’s service (“on call’) but may be called on to cover this service at short notice/ or in emergency situation

Working for our organisation

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all,
• being a great place to work,
• partnerships for impact, and
• research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate,
• we are proud,
• we are inclusive, and
• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

With a professional approach whilst working within the parameters of Trust Policies and departmental Standard Operating Procedures undertake the following key job responsibilities under the direction of the laboratory management team:

Leadership / Management

• Lead / manage the section to achieve the operational goals and requirements of the service
• Act as line manager for the Biomedical Scientist and support staff within the section, leading and motivating the team to optimal performance
• Review and improve staff capability, performance, knowledge, and skills, which will include participating in and performing staff appraisal and sickness absence management
• Assess, and where appropriate, provide training of staff in section, taking actions to ensure competency levels are adequate. Take an active role in education for quality matters
• Contribute to the future planning and organisation of the service by acting on and where necessary reporting issues, problems, and trends to senior management.
• Communicate effectively with team members, service management and external users of the service on quality, clinical, scientific, and technical matters.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection process for the department.
• In conjunction with other team leaders, contribute to the overall strategic development of the service.

Clinical / Scientific / Technical

• Supervise and participate in the examination of clinical specimens in accordance with laboratory policies and procedures, including interpretation of results, in an efficient, effective, and safe manner.
• Provide advice and interpretation of laboratory investigations to healthcare professionals as required or for referral to specialist medical and scientific for clinical advice
• Ensure appropriate records and documentation of specimens examined are maintained and ensure laboratory reports are accurate and timely
• Supervise and where appropriate, perform the operation of departmental equipment including calibration, control, and routine maintenance.
• Troubleshoot problems arising with equipment and processes ensuring the implementation of backup procedures to ensure service continuity
• Resolve immediate analytical problems and perform repairs to equipment where appropriate and liaise with manufacturers where repairs cannot be completed in house.
• Where appropriate, perform the more complex analytical work of the assigned section.
• Supervise and contribute to the development of laboratory Standard Operating Procedures and carry out regular planned audit and review of the Quality System, SOPs, COSHH assessments and workplace risk assessments, introducing changes as necessary, taking best practice and process redesign into account.
• Maintain expertise and awareness of current technological and scientific developments in relevant aspects of the discipline.
• Develop, evaluate, and implement new equipment and procedures within the department.
• Monitor internal and external quality control results, taking appropriate action to identify and correct problems. To report problems to more senior staff as appropriate.
• Ensure adequate levels of consumable supplies and other items required by the section are maintained using the appropriate procedures
• Employ specialist knowledge and technical skills to perform complex analytical techniques and procedures
• Be responsible for effective stock management of reagents and consumables, ordering and authorising payments for supplies and services up to the departmental agreed limits.
• Work in close liaison with others within service to show leadership to ensure that other service sections work in a safe, efficient and effective manner.

Service Delivery & Development

• Continually review performance against KPI’s, proactively addressing areas of concern
• Assist in the maintenance and development of the Blood Sciences Quality Manual
• Undertake relevant research both internal and with other NHS and educational organisations to assist with learning, teaching and service development
• Participate in clinical trials as appropriate and beneficial to service development and provision
• Ensure the successful delivery of a cost-effective service, implementing changes and improvements where indicated
• Support individual services in the investigation of complaints and incidents. Ensure that all agreed, follow up actions are taken in accordance with agreed policy and that these are effective.

General

• To participate in the provision of a reliable high quality analytical service that meets nationally accepted standards (UKAS or equivalent).
• Participate in clinical and quality system audit and clinical governance.
• To deputise for the Laboratory Manager as required and perform any other duties covered by the post holder’s competencies after consultation and agreement with the line manager.
• Liaise with individual service Quality leads to co-ordinate a programme of internal audits against defined quality performance indicators, ensuring continuous quality improvement.

Pathology is at the forefront of the delivery of 21st century healthcare and has a profound impact on an organisation’s ability to deliver high quality, efficient and effective patient care. Changing demographics, rising demand and technological innovation, combined with the findings of Lord Carter’s review, demonstrate the need and potential to improve the quality-of-service provision, whilst streamlining the way in which services are delivered.

As a HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist, the post holder will be a member of the departmental team and assist in the delivery of a quality driven, cost effective, patient focused service consistent with our vision. To provide that service in a manner commensurate with the profession

The post holder will be expected to manage the area while maintaining a high level of scientific knowledge, leading others to perform (and where appropriate performing) specialised analyses of pathological samples using various technologies and reporting the results as appropriate.

We are looking for a leader to work with clinical, scientific and administration staff to lead Leicester Pathology Services to become the best they can be.

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES - see full JD for all duties.

Person specification

Qualifications

• HCPC registration
• IBMS membership Management qualification at certificate level or above or other relevant qualifications/training

Training

• Can demonstrate successful team management and development

Planning and organisation skil

• Able to carry out Staff planning for a section or specific team

Skills

• Can demonstrate successful team management and development
• Demonstrates a range of quality improvement skills

Experience

• Must have up to date knowledge of the technical processes used within the discipline
• Significant post registration experience with demonstration of skill at specialist level
• Demonstrates knowledge of advanced techniques or instrumentation

Additional Information

Please submit yourapplicationform without delay toavoiddisappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.

Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.

UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.

The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.

Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.

The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.

If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavorto make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.

Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust holds the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and all that it stands for. We are committed to developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.