Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Haematology & Blood Transfusion

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

The closing date is 20 May 2025

Job summary

Applications are invited from dynamic, motivated and forward-thinking HCPC -registered Biomedical Scientists for the Registered Biomedical Scientist role within the Haematology laboratory at University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation trust. We are looking to recruit a Biomedical Scientist to work in the team rotating through all sections of the laboratory across the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton and the Princess Royal Hospital, Hayward's Heath sites.

Candidates who are working towards their IBMS Specialist Portfolio are eligible to apply. The full band 6 post will only be awarded once this has been completed.

The department provides Haematology, Coagulation, Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion services to University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners through Primary Care Trusts, and a specialist service to other NHS Trusts in Sussex, Surrey, and Kent. It holds ISO accreditation 15189, and is approved by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences as a training laboratory.

Major investment is on-going within the Trust and, with the building of the Teaching, Trauma and Tertiary care centre over the next few years, will reinforce the Trust as a key player in South East England.

Main duties of the job

The Haematology department operates 4 sections across 2 sites: Haematology, Coagulation, Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion. The successful candidate will work across all sections of the department. The department runs a full 24 hour shift system - the successful candidates will be expected to fully participate in all aspects of this (including nights, weekends and bank holidays) subject to competency assessment. This attracts additional pay above Agenda for Change rates.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Date posted

06 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-43462517-MAY25

Job locations

Royal Sussex County Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital

Brighton / Haywards Heath

BN2 5BE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Local agreements are in place for payment to cover working patterns outside of the Agenda for Change hours with both significant shift enhancements and the potential for additional hours. The post holder will be required to work out of hours weekday and weekends after satisfying competency assessment.

Main Duties

  • Has an extensive knowledge of the disease process and the clinical relevance and appropriateness of diagnostic tests requested. Therefore understands why certain tests (including the abbreviations and medical terminology) are requested in certain pathological situations.
  • Communicates with the requesting physician to discuss the suitability of tests requested and discuss the availability of further tests which might contribute to diagnosis/patient management. Also discuss with senior member of staff if appropriate/available.
  • Validates results according to the SOP. Interprets results in conjunction with previous results (delta checks). Requests further work according to SOP, refers to senior staff upon completion of further work.
  • Handles unsuitable samples for example if taken from drip arm, too old, incorrectly labelled (according to departmental policy), insufficient volume to ensure reliability and validity of sample and will request repeat bloods be taken accordingly.
  • Phones highly complex and potentially sensitive results to clinicians ensuring results are understood and transcribed correctly. Acts on or refers phone calls received to appropriate area of lab.

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Local agreements are in place for payment to cover working patterns outside of the Agenda for Change hours with both significant shift enhancements and the potential for additional hours. The post holder will be required to work out of hours weekday and weekends after satisfying competency assessment.

Main Duties

  • Has an extensive knowledge of the disease process and the clinical relevance and appropriateness of diagnostic tests requested. Therefore understands why certain tests (including the abbreviations and medical terminology) are requested in certain pathological situations.
  • Communicates with the requesting physician to discuss the suitability of tests requested and discuss the availability of further tests which might contribute to diagnosis/patient management. Also discuss with senior member of staff if appropriate/available.
  • Validates results according to the SOP. Interprets results in conjunction with previous results (delta checks). Requests further work according to SOP, refers to senior staff upon completion of further work.
  • Handles unsuitable samples for example if taken from drip arm, too old, incorrectly labelled (according to departmental policy), insufficient volume to ensure reliability and validity of sample and will request repeat bloods be taken accordingly.
  • Phones highly complex and potentially sensitive results to clinicians ensuring results are understood and transcribed correctly. Acts on or refers phone calls received to appropriate area of lab.

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC Registration
  • BSc Biomedical Sciences or Degree accredited by IBMS as suitable for HCPC registration

Specialist Portfolio

Essential

  • Completed Specialist portfolio

Desirable

  • Specialist portfolio over 80% complete

2 years NHS lab experience

Essential

  • 2 years NHS Haematology lab experience
  • Experience of more specialist techniques

Desirable

  • 1 year NHS Haematology lab experience

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC Registration
  • BSc Biomedical Sciences or Degree accredited by IBMS as suitable for HCPC registration

Specialist Portfolio

Essential

  • Completed Specialist portfolio

Desirable

  • Specialist portfolio over 80% complete

2 years NHS lab experience

Essential

  • 2 years NHS Haematology lab experience
  • Experience of more specialist techniques

Desirable

  • 1 year NHS Haematology lab experience

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

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.

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.

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 Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Royal Sussex County Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital

Brighton / Haywards Heath

BN2 5BE


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Royal Sussex County Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital

Brighton / Haywards Heath

BN2 5BE


Employer's website

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


For questions about the job, contact:

Haemostasis & Thrombosis Lead

Shawn Cotton

shawncotton@nhs.net

01273696955

Date posted

06 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-43462517-MAY25

Job locations

Royal Sussex County Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital

Brighton / Haywards Heath

BN2 5BE


Supporting documents

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