Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Biomedical Scientist/Trainee Biomedical Scientist

The closing date is 16 April 2026

Job summary

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Cytology department is the provider of the NHSCSP HPV Primary testing protocol for the East of England. We are HPV testing around 450,000 cervical screening samples per year using the high throughput Roche Cobas systems and screening approx. 68K slides per year.

The laboratory also currently processes around 4,000 diagnostic cytology samples per year.

This high throughput department is sited in modern, well-equipped accommodation at the Cotman Centre, on Colney Lane.

Main duties of the job

As a member of the Cytopathology team of Biomedical Scientists you will be required to undertake a range of duties including working in the high throughput molecular diagnostics laboratory carrying out HPV testing to and assist in the daily workload management of the department.

About us

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

  • Flexible working hours
  • Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
  • Multi Faith prayer room at NNUH Colney Lane site
  • Discounted gym memberships
  • Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
  • Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
  • Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH Colney Lane site
  • Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
  • On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane
  • On-site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane
  • Support in career development
  • Flexible staff bank
  • Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Details

Date posted

01 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

234-25-E2154

Job locations

Cytology

Cotman Centre Colney Lane

Norwich

NR47UB


Job description

Job responsibilities

As the post holder, you may be required to:

  • primary screen liquid based cytology (LBC) cervical samples according to the NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) guidelines; this will include the rapid review quality checks on all negative and inadequate samples.
  • participate in External Quality Assessment according to NHSCSP guidelines.
  • perform a range of specialised cytological methodologies for both conventional and liquid based non-gynaecological samples. Required to pre-screen and identify abnormalities in sputum and urine preparations, referring with opinion to a Consultant Cytopathologist for reporting.
  • be responsible for the preparation and in house testing of HPV sample

Depending on your experience and skills consideration may be given to those who do not yet meet all of the criteria on the person specification, with the department providing in role support and training.

Please note due to high volume of applications for some posts, this post may close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role asap.

Please view the attached job description for full details of the role and use your supporting statement to confirm how you meet the essential and desirable criteria on the job specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As the post holder, you may be required to:

  • primary screen liquid based cytology (LBC) cervical samples according to the NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) guidelines; this will include the rapid review quality checks on all negative and inadequate samples.
  • participate in External Quality Assessment according to NHSCSP guidelines.
  • perform a range of specialised cytological methodologies for both conventional and liquid based non-gynaecological samples. Required to pre-screen and identify abnormalities in sputum and urine preparations, referring with opinion to a Consultant Cytopathologist for reporting.
  • be responsible for the preparation and in house testing of HPV sample

Depending on your experience and skills consideration may be given to those who do not yet meet all of the criteria on the person specification, with the department providing in role support and training.

Please note due to high volume of applications for some posts, this post may close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role asap.

Please view the attached job description for full details of the role and use your supporting statement to confirm how you meet the essential and desirable criteria on the job specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Accredited BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
  • State registration with Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Experience

Essential

  • Understanding of clinical laboratory equipment performance evaluation including highly complex instrumentation

Desirable

  • In depth knowledge of the methodologies used within the cytopathology service.
  • Problem solviExperience of working in a diverse high pressure, high throughput clinical service.ng of complex clinical scientific problems
  • Experience of working in a diverse high pressure, high throughput clinical service.

Skills

Essential

  • Be able to adapt to the changing needs of the service.

Attitude, aptitude

Essential

  • Effective team member
  • Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
  • Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Accredited BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
  • State registration with Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Experience

Essential

  • Understanding of clinical laboratory equipment performance evaluation including highly complex instrumentation

Desirable

  • In depth knowledge of the methodologies used within the cytopathology service.
  • Problem solviExperience of working in a diverse high pressure, high throughput clinical service.ng of complex clinical scientific problems
  • Experience of working in a diverse high pressure, high throughput clinical service.

Skills

Essential

  • Be able to adapt to the changing needs of the service.

Attitude, aptitude

Essential

  • Effective team member
  • Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
  • Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address

Cytology

Cotman Centre Colney Lane

Norwich

NR47UB


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address

Cytology

Cotman Centre Colney Lane

Norwich

NR47UB


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Deputy Cytology Manager

Philip Hinson

philip.hinson@nnuh.nhs.uk

01603286031

Details

Date posted

01 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

234-25-E2154

Job locations

Cytology

Cotman Centre Colney Lane

Norwich

NR47UB


Supporting documents

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