Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist

About our Trust

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal - to always put our Patient First. In fact, our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto, and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

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 our Wellbeing 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.

Job overview

The department provides a specialist Clinical Biochemistry service to both acute and primary care, and to other trusts within the Sussex area and beyond. It holds accreditation with UKAS and is approved by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences as a training laboratory.

The laboratory at University Hospitals Sussex, East is divided into four sections: at the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH) site: Automation, Send Away Service, Special Reference (including Downs screening, Toxicology, Point of Care, and Separation Sciences), and Immunology; and on the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) site: Automation.

We are looking for 1.92 WTE enthusiastic HCPC Registered Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientists to join our team and work in the Biochemistry automation department at UHS East. The candidates will be expected to work at both UHS East (RSCH and PRH) sites, reporting to the Biochemistry Automation Section Manager. You will be working with the other Biochemistry Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist in the section and be responsible for the smooth running of the Biochemistry automation and send away section.

The automation sections are equipped with Roche Cobas 8000s which are tracked and linked to pre-analytics. We also use the Roche c513 analyser for the HbA1c's.

All staff will be expected to participate in the 24/7 shift rota once satisfying competency assessment.

Please note: We will only consider candidates with relevant and extensive NHS laboratory experience!

Main duties of the job

• Day-to-day running of the laboratory (managing staffing, stock control, monitoring internal and external quality control performance, dealing with engineer visits, maintaining staff rota, organizing section around planned and unplanned analytical downtime, and deputizing for the Section Manager in their absence).
• Training of MLAs and BMS staff to perform their tasks as per the SOPs and maintaining competency logs.
• Instrument troubleshooting.
• Quality tasks, such as: handling low severity incidents, reviewing/writing SOPs, audits, quality control, validation, working closely with QO, etc.
• Assisting section manager with implementation of new processes and equipment.

Working for our organisation

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 our Wellbeing 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/

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The successful candidates will be responsible for the Biochemistry automation and Send Away section, ensuring the smooth running of departmental day-to-day activities, quality activities to maintain UKAS accreditation status, training and supervising of staff, maintaining staff competency logs, managing staffing in the section, ensuring the analysers are maintained correctly, and undertaking any troubleshooting that is required; dealing with engineering visits and organizing the section around planned and unplanned analytical downtime, stock control, and ordering of reagents and materials. You must be confident in supervising a team and have good communication skills as you will be working with laboratory staff across sites and disciplines, clinical staff, as well as external users of our service.

It is an essential requirement that you have either completed a Specialist IBMS Portfolio or have successfully completed its predecessor, the CPSM/HPC logbook and oral examination. You must also have an MSc or equivalent qualification in the appropriate specialty and years of experience within a diagnostic NHS Biochemistry laboratory.

Candidates would be expected to have experience in delivering training, analyser troubleshooting, and using Quality systems.

The department has a 24/7 shift system in place. The successful candidate will be required to participate in the 24/7 shift working pattern once satisfying competency assessment and will be required to work on either UHS East sites (RSCH and PRH).

Please read the attached job description and person specification for further details.

Person specification

HCPC registered

Essential criteria

• Must be HCPC registered as a Biomedical Scientist

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience as a Senior

Laboratory experience

Essential criteria

• Must have a minimum of 4 years post HCPC registration NHS laboratory experience

IBMS Specialist portfolio

Essential criteria

• Must have completed a Specialist Portfolio in Biochemistry

Relevant BSc or equivalent

Essential criteria

• BSc in Biomedical Sciences

Relevant MSc / MPhil or equiv

Essential criteria

• Suitable MSc or currently working as band 7

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

Important information for applicants:

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigration eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nursingteam@nhs.net.

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nonnursingteam@nhs.net.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Documents to download

• Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, 536.3KB)
• Guide to completing an application form (PDF, 385.9KB)