Specialist Biomedical Scientist (or Training under Annex 21)

Merseywestlancs; Sefton; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider is seeking a Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join their Haematology and Transfusion Department. This full-time position involves conducting critical analyses on blood and body fluids to assist in diagnosing and monitoring disease. The successful candidate will rotate through various sections, participate in a 24/7 shift pattern, and ensure high-quality service delivery while maintaining safety and compliance standards. A recognized Biomedical Science degree and relevant registration are required.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

27 days annual leave on commencement

Access to NHS discounts

Employee wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Registration with Health and Care Professions Council.
• A recognised Biomedical Science degree with honours.
• Membership of the Institute of Biomedical Scientist.
• Willing to pursue further qualification.

Responsibilities

• Carry out analyses on blood and body fluids to determine disease presence.
• Participate in a 24-hour shift pattern to provide lab services.
• Monitor performance of equipment and methods.
• Communicate results clearly to authorized personnel.

Skills

Good interpersonal and communication skills

Problem solving ability

Ability to use initiative

Highly developed technical skills

Education

Biomedical Science degree with honours

Registration with Health and Care Professions Council

Tools

Laboratory Information Management Systems

Standard IT packages (e.g., Excel)

Job description

We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join #TeamMWL, with us you can learn, grow and develop yourself and your career, realising your true ambitions and aspirations.

Whatever you’re looking for in your career, you’ll find it here at MWL.

Specialist Biomedical Scientist (or Training under Annex 21)

NHS AfC: Band 6

Main area Pathology Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours 37.5 hours per week (Full time post, expected to fully participate in the 24/7 operation of the department, inclusive of late shifts, nights and weekends.) Job ref 409-7686410

Site Whiston Hospital Town Prescot Salary £38,682 - £46,580 Per Annum Salary period Yearly Closing 16/01/2026 23:59 Interview date 04/02/2026

After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred Third-party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e-mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website. By applying for this post you are agreeing to "name of trust" transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are appointed to a post information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join our Haematology and Transfusion Department.

Specialist BMS carry out analyses on blood, body fluids, tissues, and cells to determine the presence or absence of disease; this enables diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment. Biomedical Scientists also carry out population screening for inherited or malignant disorders.

Specialist BMS generally work without guidance or supervision to complete delegated tasks involved in the delivery of a clinical pathology service that enables high standards of patient care. Specialist BMS work as autonomous practitioners to provide a Pathology service for the Trusts outside routine working hours.

Main duties of the job

Specialist BMS rotate throughout the department and are able to carry out the full analytical repertoire of tests and will have gained a greater depth of knowledge in specific areas. The post holder is required to participate in the 24 hours shift pattern. Cross-Training in other traditional disciplines may also be required and will be expected to work on any site where Pathology is provided by St Helens and Knowsley NHS Teaching Trust (STHK) and Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust (SOHT).

Specialist BMS are good problem solvers and as a member of a team are required to be good communicators to ensure effective continuity of the service.

Working for our organisation

Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.

The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.

Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:

• CARE that is evidence based, high quality and compassionate
• SAFETY that is of the highest standards
• COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful
• SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred and reliable
• PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients

Our achievements include:

• Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Please see our Wellbeing & Benefits booklet for more information on our staff benefits. Accessible version available upon request.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

Technical

• Undertake manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations on a rotational basis through all sections within the Department as required.
• Follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and participate in the regular review and update of SOPs.
• Ensure that equipment is used in accordance with Departmental policies and suppliers’ instructions.
• Undertake routine and more complex maintenance procedures on the analysers within the Department carry out appropriate internal maintenance procedures and maintain maintenance records.
• Plan and organise their work within the demands of the team.
• Undertake technical validation and authorisation of the complex results from laboratory investigations ensuring accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols.
• Measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
• Carry out corrective action when quality control procedures indicate loss of performance. Inform senior staff as necessary.
• Prepare reagents to specification.
• Monitor laboratory and satellite blood fridges and take remedial action in the event of failure to secure stock viability.
• Assist medical staff in bone marrow biopsies.
• Report any instance or event that may cause service delivery failure.
• Have occasional direct patient contact for example performing sweat test Analysis on children referred from the Paediatric Consultants, and to deliver relevant information to parents/guardians. To be aware of trust policies regarding working with children.
• Check the integrity of patient samples and note any interfering factors before initiating analysis.
• Take responsibility for selection of correct blood and blood products from laboratory stock, as requested for patients following standard operating procedures.
• Ensures best use of stocks in component selection, and maintenance of adequate stock of blood and products in accordance with pre-determined stock levels, and order patient specific products as required in accordance with SOPs from local NBTS.
• When required, to take technical responsibility for the daily running of a section.
• Monitor performance of equipment and methods, identifying to Senior staff any concerns. Undertaking equipment repair as required and seeking any necessary advice from equipment manufacturers.
• When available, to provide technical support and advice to out of hours staff by telephone, and to attend the department out of hours if required.

Use interpretive skills to determine the clinical significance of results of laboratory tests, for example, by:

• Preparing, examining, and reporting on examination of specimens.
• Performing molecular diagnostic tests and electrophoresis.
• Performing diagnostic tests by various methods including Biochemical, Immunological, Electrophoretic, Chromatographic and Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques.
• Microscopy, for example in the reporting of blood film morphology, malaria screening, transfusion compatibility testing, Kleihauer-Betke testing.

Interpret diagnostic laboratory results and take appropriate actions for example:

• Authorisation of results.
• Adding technical comments and suggest further investigations.
• Referring results for a second opinion using professional judgement.
• Informing the requestor/medical staff of clinically significant results.
• Communicate patient results by telephone.
• Carry out the analysis of serum, whole blood, urine and other body fluids and tissues utilising automated, semi-automated and manual techniques.
• Operate multi-channel, high throughput, micro-processor controlled analytical instruments for the routine and emergency analysis of patient samples.
• Carry out more specialised assays using a range of dedicated analysers and manual techniques.
• Access on-board reagent supply logs and select reagents and consumables that require replenishment before commencing analysis.
• Inspect calibration and quality control data on these instruments and program calibration for those parameters that require it to ensure optimal performance.
• Technically validate and report individual results in electronic form and to ensure that results are released in a timely manner in accordance with Quality Control policy.
• Deal with abnormal, problem and critical results and initiate what action needs to be taken regarding checking the validity of results and informing senior BMS staff, clinicians and/or Consultant Pathology staff.
• Perform External Quality Control and be aware of the External Quality Control performance for the section.

Out of Hours Working

• Demonstrate competency in order to work autonomously out of hours.
• Complete regular training exercises in order to maintain relevant skills in Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology, Blood Transfusion as appropriate to enable unsupervised participation in the laboratory out of hours service.
• Initiate re-analysis, dilution, reflex tests and validation of abnormal results.
• Technically validate results for the clinical staff on the wards and inform the appropriate Pathology Consultant of abnormal results outside pre-set action limits.
• Be aware of security and health and safety issues appertaining to the out of hours situation.
• Act as the first point of contact for service users out of hours. Advise service users about appropriate use of the laboratory service. Act as a liaison between service users, Pathology Consultants and other laboratory personnel as appropriate.

Health and Safety

• Adhere to Trust and departmental Health & Safety protocols and Fire regulations.
• Identify risks, and to be aware of risk assessments affecting the workplace. Report clinical incidents to the Blood Sciences Service Lead. Report any defects or required maintenance in the building / services to the Blood Sciences Service Lead.
• Adhere to current Control of Substances Hazardous to Health legislation (COSHH). Ensuring the preparation, safe handling, storage, and disposal of reagents is carried out in accordance with departmental policy and COSHH legislation regarding hazardous materials and chemicals.

Communications

• Communicate results to persons authorised to receive them in a clear and concise manner following appropriate policies and procedures.
• Provide advice and information to laboratory, ward, GP staff and patients regarding samples and sample handling including information on appropriate tests and collection conditions for in-house, referred and infrequently requested tests.
• Deal with result and test queries where information may be conflicting and difficult to understand- appropriateness of test or explanation of results.
• Initiate major incident cascade within Pathology in the absence of senior staff and liaise with National Blood Service over blood stock levels.
• Communicate any relevant information to laboratory colleagues within the section and inform effectively at hand over.
• Actively participate in departmental meetings, team briefings, educational and audit meetings as appropriate.
• Ensure effective communication is maintained within the department.
• Maintain good working relations with all members of staff and promote effective teamwork.

Other Duties

• Take part in outpatient clinics, collecting biological samples from patients and carrying out Point of Care Testing investigations.
• Contribute to and attend Annual Management Review if required.
• Keep the workplace and work benches clean and tidy.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain Professional Registration with the HCPC.
• Adhere to relevant Code of Practice of Professional and Regulatory bodies.
• Maintain and promote the professional image of the Pathology, STHK and SOHT.
• Maintain and develop skills to enable participation in departmental rotation.
• Maintain an awareness of developments and provide suggestions for implementation as appropriate.
• Attend educational and training courses as required by the departmental manager. Maintain knowledge of advances in relevant scientific areas, through Continuous Professional Development activities.
• Actively participate in departmental continuous professional development activity.
• Maintain skills as appropriate in Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology, Blood Transfusion areas to enable participation in the rota.
• Work to support the delivery and maintenance of standards expected by external agencies such as UKAS and MHRA.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK).
• Comply with good laboratory practices required for the standards of Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) including Health and Safety.
• Advise the Operational Lead when stocks of reagents and consumables are approaching minimum stock levels or take appropriate action.
• Comply with the local and national policies for safe, secure, and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
• Use Pathology systems according to the authorised protocols.
• Enter own results and those obtained by others into the Laboratory Information System LIMS.
• Check and correct, if necessary, information input by other laboratory staff.
• Maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.
• Know and understand back-up procedures in the case of LIMS/PAS failure.
• Assist in the audit of data held on the pathology laboratory information system.
• Perform required maintenance of analytical systems and interfaces including archiving and backup of software and results to ensure effective maintenance and running

Person specification

Qualifications

• Registration with Health and Care Professions Council
• A recognised Biomedical Science degree with honours which is acceptable to the Health Professions Council
• Membership of the Institute of Biomedical Scientist
• Willing to pursue further qualification

Knowledge & Experience

• Detailed working knowledge of laboratory information and management computer systems and standard IT packages e.g. work processing and spread sheets.
• Experience of CPD by portfolio
• Ability to work within all areas of department
• Understands theoretical and practical laboratory procedures
• Understand basic quality control procedures
• Ability to organise own workload and that of subordinate staff
• Show understanding of H&S requirements, including COSHH regulations
• Experience of presentations
• Familiarity and compliance with UKAs Accreditation requirements
• Exhibit competency to work alone out of core hours

Skills

• Possess good interpersonal and communication skills
• Willing and able to learn new skills
• Ability to use initiative
• Problem solving
• Possesses highly developed technical skills

Other

• Personable, friendly demeanour
• Well organised
• Willing to work flexibly
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Ability to work alone to provide an out of hours service

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.

Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.

The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact [e-mail]

We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision-making process.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click here to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship.

eVisa Update

For successful candidates on selected work and study visa routes, who have completed and paid for their applications will no longer receive a visa vignette in passport as evidence of their permission to enter the UK.

Instead, you will be issued with an eVisa only, which is accessed by creating a UKVI account.

Before travelling to the UK, we advise applicants to:

• Understand how to generate an eVisa share code

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

If this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 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.

Please note if applicable, applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment.

If you have not already done so, you are therefore encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service to which a small annual fee of £13 per year applies.

Flexible Working

We actively support flexible working patterns throughout MWL. Changes made the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook mean that:

• All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
• There is no limit on the number of requests they can make.
• Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.

At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working. We would also encourage you to also discuss flexible working options at interview stage.

Working for Team MWL

Staff recognition is especially important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Employee of the month. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

The Trust is a non-smoking across all our sites. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action. For more information, see the Smoke Free NHS website.

You must ensure that your application, including personal statements and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated and will check all applications against AI detection software.

Additional Information

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and Behaviours which are We are KIND, We are OPEN, We are INCLUSIVE, which can be found here .

An applicant guide to help and support you with your application and what to expect during your recruitment journey can be accessed in the supporting documents.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Name Ana Martins Job title Haematology Operational Manager Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01514302360 Additional information

Alternative contact: Julie Harrison, Transfusion Operational Manager

[e-mail]