Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Advanced Biomedical Scientist - Cellular Pathology

The closing date is 15 September 2025

Job summary

Northern Care Alliance, Cellular Pathology, is an ambitious,welcoming, patient & people-focussed organisation.As experts, we are proud to deliver high quality diagnostic &prognostic services; creating opportunities to support, developand progress our teams, adding value to our local communities.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Cellular Pathology service at the Northern Care Alliance. With this role will provide management expertise in a section of Cellular Pathology.

You will have particular responsibility in training staff competencies, registration and specialist portfolio candidates)and quality management, in your section of the laboratory and act as a member of the senior laboratory team ensuring good governance and supporting the quality management system.

You will have responsibility for a section of the Cellular pathology Department

Main duties of the job

a) To manage and co-ordinate the day to day activities of the a section of the Cellular Pathology laboratory

b) To participate fully in all technical work activities of the department by processing biomedical specimens requiring advanced and specialist technical knowledge.

c) Proactively manages the timely and efficient throughput of the work of the Cellular Pathology department

d) Maintain the quality of work produced within the section (by self and others) through robust monitoring of internal quality control and external quality assurance processes

e) Act as the deputy Quality Lead to ensure the maintenance of appropriate quality management systems within the section of the laboratory.

f) Train, develop and competency assess staff

g) Conduct line management duties - return to work interviews, sickness management, performance management, appraisals

h) Maintain registration as a biomedical scientist through continuing to meet the standards of proficiency for safe and effective practice and continuing to meet the HCPC's standards for continuing professional development

i) Deputise for the Cellular Pathology Technical Manager when required.

About us

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we're always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire - to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.

Learn more about us in ourCandidate Information Pack

Details

Date posted

02 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

236-DPG-P419-25

Job locations

The Royal Oldham Hospital

Rochdale rd

Oldham

OL1 2JH


Job description

Job responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk

Job description

Job responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk

Person Specification

Registration

Essential

  • HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences or IBMS Approved alternative science degree plus post graduate certificate in Biomedical Science or equivalent
  • MSc Biomedical Sciences or IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or equivalent

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience

Essential

  • Comprehensive understanding and evidence of maintaining a safe laboratory environment
  • Specialist knowledge of cellular pathology procedures and practices underpinned by theoretical knowledge with specific reference to: a) Quality control procedures b) Frozen section practice c) Cellular Pathology equipment troubleshooting and maintenance d) Special stains e) Participation in EQA submission and review f) Introduction and optimisation of new protocols
  • Able to teach, train and competency assess of more junior staff
  • Analytical, judgement and technical skills within Cellular Pathology demonstrating attention to detail, timeliness, and good project management skills
Person Specification

Registration

Essential

  • HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences or IBMS Approved alternative science degree plus post graduate certificate in Biomedical Science or equivalent
  • MSc Biomedical Sciences or IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or equivalent

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience

Essential

  • Comprehensive understanding and evidence of maintaining a safe laboratory environment
  • Specialist knowledge of cellular pathology procedures and practices underpinned by theoretical knowledge with specific reference to: a) Quality control procedures b) Frozen section practice c) Cellular Pathology equipment troubleshooting and maintenance d) Special stains e) Participation in EQA submission and review f) Introduction and optimisation of new protocols
  • Able to teach, train and competency assess of more junior staff
  • Analytical, judgement and technical skills within Cellular Pathology demonstrating attention to detail, timeliness, and good project management skills

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

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Oldham Hospital

Rochdale rd

Oldham

OL1 2JH


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Oldham Hospital

Rochdale rd

Oldham

OL1 2JH


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Cellular Pathology Technical Manager

Alvena Kousar

amanda.ogden@nca.nhs.uk

01616561656

Details

Date posted

02 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

236-DPG-P419-25

Job locations

The Royal Oldham Hospital

Rochdale rd

Oldham

OL1 2JH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust 's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)