Hywel Dda University Health Board

Blood Sciences Section Manager - Biochemistry

The closing date is 16 November 2025

Job summary

This post is a Fixed Term/ Secondment until 31/03/2027 to cover secondment. If you are a Hywel Dda University Health Board employee and are applying for this post as a secondment, agreement for the secondment is needed from your current manager prior to application.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and suitably qualified HCPC registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist, experienced in Biochemistry, to apply for a Band 7 Biochemistry Section Manager post within the Blood Sciences Department at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli.

The post holder will hold FIBMS, MSc. or equivalent. They will be up to date with developments in the discipline and able to demonstrate relevant CPD in accordance with HCPC. The post holder will have post registration clinical and technical experience at Specialist Biomedical Scientist level, and In-depth knowledge of complex instrumentation / laboratory techniques and QA/QC procedures.

The UKAS accredited Blood Science Laboratory provides acute and routine primary and secondary care services in Biochemistry, Haematology and Coagulation, alongside a Immunology Department, a busy Blood Transfusion department and a wide ranging POCT service.

Effective organisational and communication skills are essential, and you will be expected to work within and manage a team efficiently.

Main duties of the job

The successful post holder will section manageand take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Biochemistry section of the Blood Sciences Laboratory.

They will be responsible for providing specialist advice to users of the service, evaluating new methodologies, developing, growing and optimising the service in conjunction with Health Board Service Manager and Consultant Clinical Scientist staff.

The Biochemistry Section is currently equipped with the Roche Cobas PRO analysers, together with the TOSOH and other supporting Biochemistry systems.

The post holder will be responsible for the development of the service and ensuring that it is robust and responsive to the needs of our users.They will provide professional, technical and managerial leadership to all staff in Biochemistry and will be responsible for training, assessing and ensuring competence, monitoring work practice, in accordance with agreed standards as set by United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) Limited.

The successful candidate will also be jointly responsible for the management of staff absence and annual leave.

The department operates a contractual shift pattern supporting Round the Clock Services, and out of hours working on the Biochemistry rota will be part of your role.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

  • Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
  • Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
  • Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
  • 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
  • Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Details

Date posted

04 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£48,527 to £55,532 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

15 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

100-HS029-1125

Job locations

Prince Philip Hospital

Bryngwyn Mawr

Llanelli,

SA14 8QF


Job description

Job responsibilities

We are a registered training laboratory and promote and embrace a philosophy of learning and development.

The successful post holder will join the team at an exciting time and will become a key stakeholder in the development of the innovative regional network of excellence. The individual will initially be employed by HDUHB until a regional management model is established. The post will then transition into a regional role.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 21/11/2025

Job description

Job responsibilities

We are a registered training laboratory and promote and embrace a philosophy of learning and development.

The successful post holder will join the team at an exciting time and will become a key stakeholder in the development of the innovative regional network of excellence. The individual will initially be employed by HDUHB until a regional management model is established. The post will then transition into a regional role.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 21/11/2025

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

  • HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist
  • BSc or equivalent qualification in Biomedical Science
  • IBMS Specialist Diploma or equivalent experience
  • MSc or equivalent experience and specialist knowledge in a broad range of areas within the discipline
  • In-depth knowledge of external quality assurance schemes
  • Knowledge of the importance of data integrity and confidentiality
  • Knowledge of audit procedures
  • Evidence of ongoing CPD

Desirable

  • Management / supervisory qualification
  • Higher Specialist Diploma
  • Training qualification
  • Knowledge of ISO standards and requirements

Experience

Essential

  • Post registration clinical and technical experience at Specialist Biomedical Scientist level
  • Experience of basic office IT packages for example spreadsheets, text documents
  • Experience and knowledge of meeting ISO15189:2022 requirements

Desirable

  • Experience of protocol or procedure development
  • Experience of a wide variety of analysers/techniques
  • Experience in incident investigation and root cause analysis

Other

Essential

  • Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
  • Flexible approach to needs of the service

Desirable

  • Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

  • HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist
  • BSc or equivalent qualification in Biomedical Science
  • IBMS Specialist Diploma or equivalent experience
  • MSc or equivalent experience and specialist knowledge in a broad range of areas within the discipline
  • In-depth knowledge of external quality assurance schemes
  • Knowledge of the importance of data integrity and confidentiality
  • Knowledge of audit procedures
  • Evidence of ongoing CPD

Desirable

  • Management / supervisory qualification
  • Higher Specialist Diploma
  • Training qualification
  • Knowledge of ISO standards and requirements

Experience

Essential

  • Post registration clinical and technical experience at Specialist Biomedical Scientist level
  • Experience of basic office IT packages for example spreadsheets, text documents
  • Experience and knowledge of meeting ISO15189:2022 requirements

Desirable

  • Experience of protocol or procedure development
  • Experience of a wide variety of analysers/techniques
  • Experience in incident investigation and root cause analysis

Other

Essential

  • Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
  • Flexible approach to needs of the service

Desirable

  • Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

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

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Address

Prince Philip Hospital

Bryngwyn Mawr

Llanelli,

SA14 8QF


Employer's website

https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Address

Prince Philip Hospital

Bryngwyn Mawr

Llanelli,

SA14 8QF


Employer's website

https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Blood Sciences Service Manager

Lowri Rooke

Lowri.Rooke@wales.nhs.uk

01554783068

Details

Date posted

04 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£48,527 to £55,532 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

15 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

100-HS029-1125

Job locations

Prince Philip Hospital

Bryngwyn Mawr

Llanelli,

SA14 8QF


Supporting documents

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