Job summary
We are seeking a motivated, enthusiastic, and suitably qualified Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Quality Officer to join the Biochemistry team at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. Based primarily in Special Chemistry at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, with cross-site responsibilities at Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath, this role offers experience across a wide range of Chemistry specialisms and quality support. You will typically spend two days per week overseeing the daily running of the Special Chemistry section, working closely with the Senior BMS team and under the guidance of the Senior Lead BMS. This department features an extensive specialist repertoire including high-resolution mass spectrometry, ICP-MS, electrophoresis, FTIR-ATR and more. The remaining time will focus on supporting quality across Chemistry and Immunology--ensuring continued compliance with ISO standards and regulatory requirements. The balance of duties is flexible and may vary depending on service needs. You'll work as part of a supportive and innovative team, with opportunities to contribute to service development and professional growth. Our coastal locations offer a fantastic quality of life. Brighton is a vibrant city known for its arts, culture, and nightlife, with direct access to London. Haywards Heath provides a quieter setting with green spaces, great schools, and excellent transport links.
Main duties of the job
An advanced scientific knowledge of Special Chemistry along with the ability to demonstrate extensive experience of staff support, training, development and supervision is essential. An extensive knowledge and awareness of the requirements of UKAS and other quality management standards is essential. They will assist coordinate and support the department with quality tasks such as audits, preparing monthly quality reports, assisting in investigating and resolving incidents, complaints etc. The successful candidate will act as part of the Special Chemistry Senior Specialist BMS team and Quality Officer. Please read the attached job description and person specification for further details.
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/
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Senior BMS the post holder will spend two days assisting in the organisation of all work in the Special Chemistry section, in conjunction with the Senior Lead BMS and other senior staff, ensuring high quality scientific data, produced in a timely manner and the other three days as a Quality officer. This arrangement may change accordingly with increased Quality demands. The post-holder will serve as a departmental lead for quality, providing support, specialist knowledge and scientific/technical expertise on all quality matters to ensure the safe delivery of the clinical diagnostic service and maintenance of UKAS accreditation. The post-holder will be responsible for the local delivery of the UHSussex Pathology quality management system. This will include facilitating the delivery of specialist training and systematic inspection programmes for all staff grades The Quality officer will be responsible in helping maintain the quality of the service within Chemistry and Immunology by ensuring the laboratory adheres to Pathology and department procedures to maintain compliance with ISO, regulatory and national requirements. They will assist coordinate and support quality tasks such as audits, preparing monthly quality reports, assisting in investigating and resolving incidents, complaints etc. They will work closely with other section quality officers across different disciplines/ sites and reports to the Head of Service and Head of Quality & Compliance, Pathology.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Senior BMS the post holder will spend two days assisting in the organisation of all work in the Special Chemistry section, in conjunction with the Senior Lead BMS and other senior staff, ensuring high quality scientific data, produced in a timely manner and the other three days as a Quality officer. This arrangement may change accordingly with increased Quality demands. The post-holder will serve as a departmental lead for quality, providing support, specialist knowledge and scientific/technical expertise on all quality matters to ensure the safe delivery of the clinical diagnostic service and maintenance of UKAS accreditation. The post-holder will be responsible for the local delivery of the UHSussex Pathology quality management system. This will include facilitating the delivery of specialist training and systematic inspection programmes for all staff grades The Quality officer will be responsible in helping maintain the quality of the service within Chemistry and Immunology by ensuring the laboratory adheres to Pathology and department procedures to maintain compliance with ISO, regulatory and national requirements. They will assist coordinate and support quality tasks such as audits, preparing monthly quality reports, assisting in investigating and resolving incidents, complaints etc. They will work closely with other section quality officers across different disciplines/ sites and reports to the Head of Service and Head of Quality & Compliance, Pathology.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- A minimum of 4 years post Specialist IBMS portfolio or HPC/CPSM logbook and Haematology laboratory experience in an NHS hospital laboratory at Band 6 level or above
- Up to date & in-depth knowledge of quality and sub-specialist area within primary discipline.
Desirable
- Evidence of understanding quality and the QMS within Pathology and being able to analyse and interpret quality data.
- Evidence of being able to perform audits.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- A minimum of 4 years post Specialist IBMS portfolio or HPC/CPSM logbook and Haematology laboratory experience in an NHS hospital laboratory at Band 6 level or above
- Up to date & in-depth knowledge of quality and sub-specialist area within primary discipline.
Desirable
- Evidence of understanding quality and the QMS within Pathology and being able to analyse and interpret quality data.
- Evidence of being able to perform audits.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
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).
