Laboratory Lead and Training Officer

NHS; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job description

Job summary

Are you a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist looking for a role during core hours only? Are you looking to run a small laboratory service day to day and expand your skills in management, quality and training? Then this could be the role for you!

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme for a HCPC registered Laboratory Lead and Training Officer based at QMC, Nottingham. This will be a pivotal role in the laboratory service at a time when the country is expanding the age of screening to lower age groups, reducing cut-off levels and moving towards digital communications.

The Eastern hub is one of 5 hubs responsible for the call and recall of subjects to take part in the English Bowel Cancer Programme. It invites approximately 1.4 million people to complete a quantitative faecal immunochemical test (FIT) and approximately 70% of individuals (between 50 and 75 years of age) take up this opportunity each year.

In response to NG12, DG30 guidelines the Department also offers symptomatic FIT to local and regional GPs to enable them to better triage their patients who have, often vague, symptoms of colorectal cancer.

The Hub currently employs nearly 60 staff, who are involved in sending out, receipting, analysis and reporting of FIT tests along with booking Specialist Screening Practitioner appointments, and performing other administrative duties. We also operate a busy Helpline for participants in the programme, handling over 100,000 calls each year.

Main duties of the job

As a State Registered Biomedical Scientist, the post holder will be a member of the departmental team and assist in the delivery of a quality driven, cost effective, patient focused service consistent with the objectives of the National Bowel Screening Programme and Nottingham University Hospitals Trust and to provide that service in a manner commensurate with the profession.

As Laboratory Lead, the post holder's main responsibility is to lead on all aspects of the Bowel Cancer Screening Laboratory and assist the Operational and Quality Manager. The post holder will oversee the day to day organisation of the work of the Programme Hub Screening Laboratory. This will include the daily supervision and training of staff and organising the development and implementation of Quality Assurance (QA) measures for all aspects of the programme, ensuring that standards are met for the work of a national screening service.

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring all members of the department attend the Trust's mandatory training courses and that all required staff receive appropriate induction, training and development for their roles.

The post holder will work closely with the Laboratory Manager, Operational and Quality Manager, Assistant Operational Manager, Programme Manager and Hub Director to ensure that screening operation runs smoothly.

The post is based at: NUH, QMC Campus

About us

With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.

Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!

We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.

Date posted: 16 April 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, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number: 164-7146448

Job locations

Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, QMC Campus

Derby Road, Nottingham, NG7 2UH

Job description Job responsibilities

Please review the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Working alongside the Operational Management Team (OMT), the post holder will play a key role in the screening and symptomatic services providing laboratory management and expertise ensuring a high quality service is provided.

We encourage informal visits to the department to discuss the role further.

Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuing education and training

Desirable

• MSc. or equivalent Postgraduate qualification e.g. FIBMS
• Undertaken supervisory or management courses
• Demonstrates a knowledge of instrumentation
• IBMS membership
• Completed IBMS Specialist Portfolio

Experience

Essential

• Significant post registration experience in a UK based, UKAS accredited Pathology laboratory
• Knowledge and experience of coordinating and booking local and external training for the department.
• Experience of quality control systems
• Experience and knowledge of FIT

Desirable

• Experience of managing a team
• 2 years specialist experience and/or equivalent expertise in Cancer Screening Programmes.
• Experience of UKAS and ISO 15189

Communication and Relationship Skills

Essential

• Able to communicate at all levels
• Ability to lead and support a team
• Ability to deal calmly with members of the public, patients and participants
• Ability to handle and prioritise multiple tasks, sound judgement, high level of integrity and professionalism, positive attitude and commitment

Desirable

• Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders
• Demonstrates a range of IT skills

Analytical and Judgement Skills

Essential

• Judgement involving a range of complex tasks or situations, which require analysis, and interpretation of a range of options. E.g. actions to be taken in case of technical failures and prioritisation of complex work.
• Ability to produce written reports and use analytical skills to present and analyse information
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience in using a QMS (e.g. Q-Pulse)
• Experience of troubleshooting in appropriate laboratory situations

Planning and Organisation Skills

Essential

• Experience of planning own work activities and those of the team

Physical Skills

Essential

• Requires highly developed physical skills including accurate eye to hand coordination.
• Able to concentrate for prolonged periods at various tasks.

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.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Address: Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, QMC Campus, Derby Road, Nottingham, NG7 2UH

Employer's website: https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/