Biomedical Scientist/BMS Specialist

The work performed by the Cellular & Molecular Therapy (CMT) Laboratories in NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is central to the provision and improvement of life-saving stem cell transplants. Our laboratories support over half of all haemopoietic stem cell transplants performed in England each year through a network of GMP grade laboratories in 5 specialist facilities across the country. The department provides specialist services to hospitals covering a large geographical area. We work with peripheral blood derived stem cells, umbilical cord blood, and bone marrow cells, collected for patients undergoing stem cell transplantation. We have close partnerships with various transplant programmes and other groups undertaking clinical trials, groundbreaking research, and service development. The successful applicant will be highly motivated, team-focused, and possess good time management skills. The work will involve routine service provision, specialist cell processing, and other development activities. We expect the successful candidate to be flexible and willing to adapt to change.

Main duties of the job

Both Band 5/6: You will be required to perform, analyse, record, and interpret a wide range of laboratory investigations and technical procedures relating to patient test results and the processing and issue of stem cell and immunotherapy products, with the support of the team. You will be responsible for the support and training of new and less experienced staff. You will be required to handle blood and tissue samples and operate a range of laboratory analysers and equipment. The role may require you to work variable hours and days, weekends, and bank holidays as per the roster within the department (unless otherwise rostered within the shift agreement) with appropriate notice, depending on specialty.

Band 6 only: You will be required to perform, analyse, record, and interpret a wide range of laboratory investigations and technical procedures relating to the issue of patient test results for organ transplant and blood transfusion and the issue of blood and tissue products, with the support of the team. The role may require you to undertake urgent on-call work providing 24/7 testing and advice, depending on specialty.

About us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you'll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives, and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary - donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need. Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do. By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert, and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever. You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Job responsibilities

Please view the attached recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification for the full personal attributes we require for the role. You will need to demonstrate these throughout the recruitment process.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Band 5 Qualifications: Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical Scientist. Evidence of continuous learning and professional development. Willingness to undertake further training and development. Evidence of completing a structured training programme in Transfusion and/or Transplantation Science would be an advantage.
• Band 6 Qualifications: Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical Scientist. Science graduate with relevant post-graduate training, e.g., British Blood Transfusion Society specialist certificate, British Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Diploma or equivalent experience. Evidence of continuous learning and professional development. Willingness to undertake further training and development. Evidence of completing a structured training programme in Transfusion and/or Transplantation Science would be an advantage.

Experience

• Band 5 - Experience: Experience of the use of a range of laboratory analysers and equipment. Experience in a range of scientific techniques. Knowledge and understanding of transfusion and transplantation science would be an advantage but not essential. Knowledge and understanding of the Biomedical Scientist role within NHSBT would be an advantage but not essential. Experience of working with Information Technology. Understanding of UK Accreditation Service (UKAS), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), UK Blood Transfusion Service (UKBTS), and British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) guidelines would be an advantage but not essential.
• Band 6 Experience: Broad science knowledge with a specialist knowledge in transfusion/transplantation science gained through previous experience working as a Biomedical Scientist. Experience in specialised laboratory techniques using a wide range of complex equipment. Experience in prioritising and issuing work to other staff and monitoring progress to ensure deadlines are met. Understanding of UK Accreditation Service (UKAS), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), UK Blood Transfusion Service (UKBTS), and British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) guidelines. Experience of working with Information Technology. Experience of writing reports, preparing and delivering presentations, and training and mentoring staff. Experience of supervising staff would be an advantage.