Biomedical Scientist

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 37,000

Job description

Band 5 Nurse and Band 2 Healthcare Support Worker recruitment is centralised, meaning when you apply you will be considered for a number of roles across the Trust. If you have any questions please email: [e-mail].

Main area Clinical Biochemistry Grade NHS AfC: Band 5 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Participation in out of hours shift pattern essential) Job ref 321-CSS-7079436-B5

Site John Radcliffe Hospital Town Oxford Salary £29,970 - £36,483 per annum/ pro-rata Salary period Yearly Closing 07/04/2025 23:59

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family.

Job overview

Clinical Biochemistry Department

Biomedical Scientist

Band 5 (£29,970 to £36,483)

Applications are invited from well-motivated state registered biomedical scientists to work in the Department of Clinical Biochemistry of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Candidates should be HCPC registered. An ability and commitment to work the shift system across all three laboratory sites – the John Radcliffe and Churchill Hospitals in Oxford and the Horton Hospital in Banbury is required. This involves day, evenings, nights and weekend sessions. The post is full time, average working hours over the shift pattern 37.5 hours.

The Department, which is one of the largest Clinical Biochemistry Departments in the country, processes over 8 million tests per annum with a broad repertoire covering all clinical areas including neonatal and antenatal screening programmes for the Thames Valley. The successful candidate will be encouraged to undertake the IBMS specialist portfolio in Clinical Chemistry.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will practice as a Biomedical Scientist using the Departmental SOP’s and protocols throughout all sections of the department and will be required to staff all laboratories across the Trust as and when required.

The work involves analysis of clinical specimens (mainly blood) for a wide range of diagnostic tests. It involves use of automated instruments that utilise a range of analytical technologies including spectrophotometry, colorimetry, ion selective electrodes, immunoassay, chromatography and mass spectrometry.

The work may include some weekend and evening or night duties, which requires a flexible approach to the hours of employment, according to individual contract.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Scientific and Clinical Responsibilities

• Analyses potentially infectious samples using a range of highly specialised laboratory procedures, by either manual or automated techniques, to produce results of a quality consistent with excellent patient care.
• Ensures efficient use and maintenance of resources, is aware of stock levels and rotation, storage conditions, batch numbers and expiry dates, thus ensuring the viability of the reagents used.
• Exercises own initiative and works in co-operation with other staff members to ensure that the workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Is fully conversant with departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), within area of competence, ensuring that personal performance complies with ISO 15189 and other professional standards.
• Works to gain competence in all departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), across the varied sections of the department.
• Carries out troubleshooting and preventative maintenance on highly complex automated systems. Ensures appropriate records are kept and liaises with senior staff where appropriate.
• Matches samples with request forms and inputs patient and test information into the laboratory computer system, requiring complete accuracy.

Analytical and Interpretative Responsibilities

• Exercises individual skills through the observation and interpretation of clinical material or data, which may include therapeutic drug monitoring.

Role Responsibilities

• Practices in accordance with the professional, ethical and legal codes of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Trust’s protocols and guidelines.
• Develops own skills, taking responsibility for Continuing Professional Development and performance.
• Complies with the requirements of internal and external/national quality assurance schemes.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the assessment, planning and prioritisation of tasks.
• Communicates effectively with other staff groups, both internal and external.
• Provides and receives complex scientific and clinical information to and from colleagues and service users.
• Provides and receives sensitive information to and from patients and their representatives where empathic and re-assurance skills are required.
• Displays and maintains an appropriate level of IT skills.

Other Responsibilities

• Work towards gaining competence and ability to work individually and unsupervised in the provision of the out of hours service.
• Works to ensure that performance targets and sample turnaround times are met by continually assessing quality and priority of work.
• Has awareness of the requirements of Clinical Governance, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and local Health and Safety Policies, reporting problems, errors or breaches via the appropriate mechanisms.
• To participate in the Trust’s appraisal scheme.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• HCPC Registration
• Biomedical Science B.Sc. or equivalent knowledge as assessed by the HCPC

Experience and Knowledge

• Knowledge of the basic techniques within Laboratory Haematology and / or Clinical Chemistry
• Previous experience in NHS Diagnostic laboratory

COVID-19: The COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated.

Probation Period: This post is subject to a 6 month probationary period. If you currently hold a contract of employment with the Oxford University Hospitals, this will not apply.

Referencing: When providing employment reference details please provide correct work related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application.

Next Steps: Please make sure that you read the job description and person specification, and that your supporting statement reflects this as your application will be judged against these criteria. Candidates selected for interview will be contacted after the short-listing process, usually within 2 weeks.

No unsolicited recruitment agency telephone calls or emails.