Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced senior Biomedical Scientist to lead Haematology, Coagulation and Transfusion Services within our Major Trauma and tertiary referral centre.
This is a senior operational and professional leadership role within Blood Sciences, accountable for the safe, effective and compliant delivery of a high-risk, 24/7 regulated service. The postholder will act as the Trust's Nominated Responsible Person (RP) under the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (BSQR), ensuring full regulatory compliance and inspection readiness.
This role offers the opportunity to combine operational leadership, statutory accountability, clinical partnership and workforce development within a high-performing, forward-looking pathology service.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will:
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Provide senior operational leadership across Haematology, Coagulation and Transfusion Services.
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Act as the Trust's Nominated Responsible Person under BSQR, ensuring compliance with MHRA requirements.
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Lead the Quality Management System (QMS) across the portfolio, ensuring ISO15189 and regulatory compliance.
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Provide assurance to the Blood Sciences Laboratory Manager regarding service performance, regulatory compliance and patient safety.
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Lead and develop a team of Band 7 Section Leads and associated staff.
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Work in close partnership with Consultant Haematologists and clinical teams to ensure services are clinically aligned and responsive.
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Ensure major haemorrhage protocol governance and emergency transfusion resilience.
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Lead investigation and learning from transfusion incidents and haemovigilance reporting.
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Manage delegated budgets and support service development and transformation initiatives.
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 manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. 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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Blood Sciences Operational Lead Haematology & Transfusion Services is accountable for the safe, effective and financially sustainable delivery of services within their portfolio.
Key responsibilities include:
Operational & Clinical Leadership
-
Lead the day-to-day delivery of Haematology, Coagulation and Transfusion Services supporting emergency, trauma, elective and specialist pathways.
-
Maintain service resilience across 24/7 operations.
-
Ensure clinically responsive diagnostic support and contribute to MDT discussions where appropriate.
Regulatory Compliance & Responsible Person Duties
-
Act as Nominated Responsible Person under BSQR.
-
Ensure full compliance with MHRA regulatory requirements and maintain inspection readiness.
-
Oversee haemovigilance systems including SHOT and SABRE reporting.
-
Ensure corrective and preventative actions are implemented following audits and inspections.
Workforce Leadership & Development
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Line manage Band 7 Section Leads and associated workforce.
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Lead workforce planning, competency assurance and succession planning.
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Support development of advanced and specialist practitioner roles.
Quality Management & Governance
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Lead the portfolio-level Quality Management System.
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Chair performance and assurance meetings.
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Analyse complex data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
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Ensure actions from incidents, audits and reviews are clearly documented and delivered.
Financial & Service Management
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Manage delegated budgets and monitor expenditure.
-
Deliver agreed efficiency improvements while maintaining patient safety.
-
Contribute to business cases and service redesign initiatives.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Blood Sciences Operational Lead Haematology & Transfusion Services is accountable for the safe, effective and financially sustainable delivery of services within their portfolio.
Key responsibilities include:
Operational & Clinical Leadership
-
Lead the day-to-day delivery of Haematology, Coagulation and Transfusion Services supporting emergency, trauma, elective and specialist pathways.
-
Maintain service resilience across 24/7 operations.
-
Ensure clinically responsive diagnostic support and contribute to MDT discussions where appropriate.
Regulatory Compliance & Responsible Person Duties
-
Act as Nominated Responsible Person under BSQR.
-
Ensure full compliance with MHRA regulatory requirements and maintain inspection readiness.
-
Oversee haemovigilance systems including SHOT and SABRE reporting.
-
Ensure corrective and preventative actions are implemented following audits and inspections.
Workforce Leadership & Development
-
Line manage Band 7 Section Leads and associated workforce.
-
Lead workforce planning, competency assurance and succession planning.
-
Support development of advanced and specialist practitioner roles.
Quality Management & Governance
-
Lead the portfolio-level Quality Management System.
-
Chair performance and assurance meetings.
-
Analyse complex data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
-
Ensure actions from incidents, audits and reviews are clearly documented and delivered.
Financial & Service Management
-
Manage delegated budgets and monitor expenditure.
-
Deliver agreed efficiency improvements while maintaining patient safety.
-
Contribute to business cases and service redesign initiatives.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experiance
Essential
- oSignificant demonstrable post-registration experience in Haematology and Blood Transfusion within an acute NHS setting.
- oDemonstrable experience operating at senior Section Lead level or equivalent within a regulated laboratory service.
- oProven knowledge and experience of working within BSQR, MHRA and ISO15189 regulatory frameworks.
- oDemonstrable experience leading teams within a 24/7 clinical service environment.
- oDemonstrable experience contributing to inspection preparation, incident investigation and implementation of corrective actions.
- oDemonstrable experience managing resources and contributing to financial and service performance management.
- oProven evidence of leading or delivering service improvement within a high-risk clinical environment.
Desirable
- oDemonstrable experience working within a Major Trauma Centre or tertiary referral environment.
- oDemonstrable experience acting as Responsible Person or Deputy Responsible Person under BSQR.
- oDemonstrable experience contributing to or leading a Hospital Transfusion Committee or equivalent governance forum
- oDemonstrable experience leading significant service redesign, transformation or business case development.
- oDemonstrable experience working across organisational or regional networks.
Qualifications
Essential
- oBSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences or equivalent relevant qualification acceptable for HCPC registration.
- oHCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
- oMasters level qualification (MSc) in a relevant discipline or equivalent demonstrable Masters-level professional experience.
- oProven evidence of senior leadership or management development.
- oEligibility to act as Nominated Responsible Person under the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (BSQR).
Desirable
- oFormal leadership or management qualification.
- oIBMS Higher Specialist Portfolio, FIBMS or equivalent advanced professional recognition.
- oRecognised Responsible Person training or equivalent regulatory training.
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- oStrong operational leadership capability within high-risk, regulated clinical services.
- oExcellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex clinical, regulatory and performance data.
- oAbility to make autonomous decisions within defined regulatory frameworks.
- oAbility to influence senior clinicians and multidisciplinary teams.
- oFinancial awareness and resource management capability.
- oAbility to manage competing priorities within a 24/7 emergency service environment.
- oClear and confident communication of complex regulatory and patient safety matters.
Desirable
- oAbility to lead across organisational boundaries and regional networks.
- oDemonstrable experience presenting complex information to senior governance forums.
Disposition, Attitude and Motivation
Essential
- oDemonstrates visible, credible and accountable leadership.
- oStrong patient safety and governance mindset.
- oHigh level of professional integrity and ethical practice.
- oCalm, decisive and resilient under sustained operational deadlines.
- oWilling to challenge poor practice constructively in the interests of safety.
- oTakes ownership of regulatory compliance and clinical risk.
- oCommitted to developing staff competence and professional standards.
- oAble to balance operational urgency with long-term quality improvement.
Desirable
- oDemonstrates strategic awareness beyond immediate portfolio responsibilities.
- oMotivated to contribute to wider Blood Sciences transformation and regional collaboration.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experiance
Essential
- oSignificant demonstrable post-registration experience in Haematology and Blood Transfusion within an acute NHS setting.
- oDemonstrable experience operating at senior Section Lead level or equivalent within a regulated laboratory service.
- oProven knowledge and experience of working within BSQR, MHRA and ISO15189 regulatory frameworks.
- oDemonstrable experience leading teams within a 24/7 clinical service environment.
- oDemonstrable experience contributing to inspection preparation, incident investigation and implementation of corrective actions.
- oDemonstrable experience managing resources and contributing to financial and service performance management.
- oProven evidence of leading or delivering service improvement within a high-risk clinical environment.
Desirable
- oDemonstrable experience working within a Major Trauma Centre or tertiary referral environment.
- oDemonstrable experience acting as Responsible Person or Deputy Responsible Person under BSQR.
- oDemonstrable experience contributing to or leading a Hospital Transfusion Committee or equivalent governance forum
- oDemonstrable experience leading significant service redesign, transformation or business case development.
- oDemonstrable experience working across organisational or regional networks.
Qualifications
Essential
- oBSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences or equivalent relevant qualification acceptable for HCPC registration.
- oHCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
- oMasters level qualification (MSc) in a relevant discipline or equivalent demonstrable Masters-level professional experience.
- oProven evidence of senior leadership or management development.
- oEligibility to act as Nominated Responsible Person under the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (BSQR).
Desirable
- oFormal leadership or management qualification.
- oIBMS Higher Specialist Portfolio, FIBMS or equivalent advanced professional recognition.
- oRecognised Responsible Person training or equivalent regulatory training.
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- oStrong operational leadership capability within high-risk, regulated clinical services.
- oExcellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex clinical, regulatory and performance data.
- oAbility to make autonomous decisions within defined regulatory frameworks.
- oAbility to influence senior clinicians and multidisciplinary teams.
- oFinancial awareness and resource management capability.
- oAbility to manage competing priorities within a 24/7 emergency service environment.
- oClear and confident communication of complex regulatory and patient safety matters.
Desirable
- oAbility to lead across organisational boundaries and regional networks.
- oDemonstrable experience presenting complex information to senior governance forums.
Disposition, Attitude and Motivation
Essential
- oDemonstrates visible, credible and accountable leadership.
- oStrong patient safety and governance mindset.
- oHigh level of professional integrity and ethical practice.
- oCalm, decisive and resilient under sustained operational deadlines.
- oWilling to challenge poor practice constructively in the interests of safety.
- oTakes ownership of regulatory compliance and clinical risk.
- oCommitted to developing staff competence and professional standards.
- oAble to balance operational urgency with long-term quality improvement.
Desirable
- oDemonstrates strategic awareness beyond immediate portfolio responsibilities.
- oMotivated to contribute to wider Blood Sciences transformation and regional collaboration.
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.
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.
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).
