Biomedical Scientist (Band 5) or Biomedical Scientist Practitioner (Band 6)
Job Summary
You will be working as part of a clinical team, including doctors, nurses and other health care professionals and the role you perform will directly contribute to saving and improving patient’s lives.
There are many opportunities for career advancement. With experience and training you may progress to managing a section of the laboratory, right through to being a consultant lead with responsibility for the entire laboratory service. You may use your knowledge to specialise in an area vital to the operation of a modern diagnostic service such as Quality Control, training and education or research and development.
We will provide you with an extensive induction and training programme and ongoing development to support you in your role and achieving your career ambitions.
Main duties of the job
Band 5 - Responsibilities Will Include
- Being able for perform, analyse, record and interpret a wide range of laboratory investigations and technical procedures relating to the issue of patient test results for organ transplant and blood transfusion and the issue of blood and tissue products, with the support of the team
- Handling blood and tissue samples and operate a range of laboratory analysers and equipment
- Supporting and training of new and less experienced staff
- Undertaking urgent on-call work providing 24/7 testing and advice, depending on specialty
- Being able to work variable hours and days, weekends and bank holidays as per the roster within the department (unless otherwise rostered within the shift agreement) with appropriate notice, depending on specialty.
You will be required to participate in the shift rota and on call rotas and to provide cover during operational emergencies.
Band 6 responsibilities will include
- Performing, analysing, recording and interpreting a wide range of laboratory investigations and technical procedures relating to patient test results and blood products, with the support of the team.
- Monitoring workflow, procedures, equipment and storage facilities and taking appropriate action to resolve problems within agreed timescales.
- Analyse, validate, interpret, record, transmit and report the results of routine and complex investigations.
- Handling blood samples and operate a range of laboratory analysers and equipment.
- Supervising, training and mentoring junior scientific and support staff.
- Providing specialist advice to a range of service users.
You will be required to participate in a shift working rota which will include evening, weekend and public holiday workings.
You will be required to provide cover in times of operational difficulty, with reasonable notice.
About You
Qualifications Band 5
- Good understanding of Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), UK Blood Transfusion Service (UKBTS) and British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) guidelines.
- Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical Scientist (which must be maintained).
- Evidence of completing a structured training programme in Transfusion and Transplantation Science.
- Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD).
Experience - Band 5
- Broad understanding of the NHSBT including its functions/departments and the wider healthcare community.
- In depth knowledge and understanding of the Biomedical Scientist role within NHSBT.
- Experienced in the use of a range of laboratory equipment.
- Broad Knowledge of transfusion and transplantation science.
- Competent in a range of manual scientific techniques.
- Experience of working with information technology using Microsoft Office packages (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams and PowerPoint).
Qualifications - Band 6
- Science graduate with relevant post graduate training e.g. British Blood Transfusion Society specialist certificate or equivalent.
- Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical Scientist (which must be maintained).
- Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD).
Experience - Band 6
- Broad science knowledge with a specialist knowledge of transfusion gained through previous experience working as a Biomedical Scientist.
- Evidence of working to the standards of Good Manufacturing Practice, Good Laboratory Practice, UKAS and other relevant or statutory guidelines.
- Experience of working with information technology using Microsoft Office packages (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams and PowerPoint).
- Experienced in prioritising and issuing work to other staff and monitoring progress to ensure deadlines are met.
- Experienced in specialised laboratory techniques using a wide range of complex equipment.
- Evidence of training and mentoring staff.
About Us
It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.
Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do.
By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.
You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
What We Offer
- NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
- 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
- NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns) Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions
- We’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
Please view the attached recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification for the full personal attributes we require for the role. You will need to demonstrate these throughout the recruitment process.
This vacancy will close at 23:59 on 8 August 2025
Interviews will be held in person at the Tooting Blood Centre date to be confirmed