University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Biomedical Scientist

The closing date is 04 December 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has become available within the neuropathology laboratory to join a busy and technically diverse team.

This peninsula specialism provides a diagnostic service to the region encompassing surgical, post mortem, muscle and nerve work along with support for local and national research collaborations.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified interested individuals. Knowledge of special stains, immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy would be advantageous although in service training will be available to the successful candidate.

Applications may be considered from suitably qualified staff working towards Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and adaptable person who will integrate easily to the small team.

A positive attitude to flexible working arrangements is required

Main duties of the job

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

To provide a clinical technical service by performing a range of routine and specialist techniques to the biological material submitted for examination.

This post supports all technical aspects within the Neuropathology service, carrying out technical aspects of the service and data recording as required.

To undertake scientific duties within the Department to facilitate the smooth running of the service.

To maintain and run specialist equipment up to a value of £350,000

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

20 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year £31,049 - £37,796 Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-LH-C7605042

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

1.1 Participate in routine and specialised techniques in Neuropathology and any other area of the laboratory as required.

1.2 Participate in all internal and external quality control/quality assurance systems and schemes, appropriate to the area of work.

1.3 To be jointly responsible for maintenance of adequate stocks of reagent and consumables to ensure continuous service provision in the section and the laboratory in general.

1.4 Prepare and provide statistical and other information as required.

1.5 Monitor information to assist and carry out audit. This relates to the collation, review and correlation of data for clinical audit, reporting or research purposes.

1.6 Keep up to date with health and safety requirements and take an active part in the Health and Safety of the sections worked. Comply with, and ensure compliance of, other grades of staff with local and national regulations.

1.7 Participate in the staff annual appraisal and achieve any objectives set at this time.

1.8 Assist in the process of continuous quality improvement. This will include audit, corrective action, preventative action and improvement processes.

1.9 Ensure that the necessary communication and relationship skills are maintained to facilitate the smooth running of the section.

1.10 To assist in the implementation of new methodologies and ensure the necessary standards of quality are maintained

For further details please see the attached JD & PS

Job description

Job responsibilities

1.1 Participate in routine and specialised techniques in Neuropathology and any other area of the laboratory as required.

1.2 Participate in all internal and external quality control/quality assurance systems and schemes, appropriate to the area of work.

1.3 To be jointly responsible for maintenance of adequate stocks of reagent and consumables to ensure continuous service provision in the section and the laboratory in general.

1.4 Prepare and provide statistical and other information as required.

1.5 Monitor information to assist and carry out audit. This relates to the collation, review and correlation of data for clinical audit, reporting or research purposes.

1.6 Keep up to date with health and safety requirements and take an active part in the Health and Safety of the sections worked. Comply with, and ensure compliance of, other grades of staff with local and national regulations.

1.7 Participate in the staff annual appraisal and achieve any objectives set at this time.

1.8 Assist in the process of continuous quality improvement. This will include audit, corrective action, preventative action and improvement processes.

1.9 Ensure that the necessary communication and relationship skills are maintained to facilitate the smooth running of the section.

1.10 To assist in the implementation of new methodologies and ensure the necessary standards of quality are maintained

For further details please see the attached JD & PS

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • oBSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences or a degree acceptable to the IBMS and Health Care Professions Council (HCBC).
  • oState registration with the HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist

Desirable

  • oAssociate of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (AIBMS) or Fellowship

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • oAbility to demonstrate and apply proven knowledge of the pathology of disease
  • oParticipation in Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
  • oProven knowledge of H&S issues relating to a cellular pathology laboratory

Desirable

  • oDemonstrable experience using Microsoft Office based applications
  • oProven working knowledge of iLab

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • oExcellent communication skills, being able to deal with patients and staff at all levels of the organisation with tact and diplomacy
  • oExcellent time management and organisational skills
  • oAttention to detail
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • oBSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences or a degree acceptable to the IBMS and Health Care Professions Council (HCBC).
  • oState registration with the HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist

Desirable

  • oAssociate of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (AIBMS) or Fellowship

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • oAbility to demonstrate and apply proven knowledge of the pathology of disease
  • oParticipation in Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
  • oProven knowledge of H&S issues relating to a cellular pathology laboratory

Desirable

  • oDemonstrable experience using Microsoft Office based applications
  • oProven working knowledge of iLab

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • oExcellent communication skills, being able to deal with patients and staff at all levels of the organisation with tact and diplomacy
  • oExcellent time management and organisational skills
  • oAttention to detail

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Cellular Pathology Technical Service Lead

Louise Keers

louisekeers@nhs.net

01752430851

Details

Date posted

20 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year £31,049 - £37,796 Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-LH-C7605042

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

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