Job summary
NHS Blood & Transplant collects and processes 2 million blood donations a year. Our Healthcare Scientists support this service by processing, testing and issuing blood and its components and by delivering diagnostic and therapeutic services relating to the transfusion of blood and stem cells, transplantation and tissue banking.
Our Testing Department undertakes blood grouping and screening of antibodies & microbial markers in order to provide safe blood products for transfusion to patients.
A HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist with considerable post registration experience, you'll have a specialist qualification in Transfusion/Transplantation Science. A Biomedical Scientist wishing to develop specialist transfusion skills will be considered for the post, paid as a BMS on a Band 5 whilst achieving the necessary experience and qualifications.
In return you'll benefit from an excellent pension and the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, using modern equipment and practices, where you can develop your specialist skills and scientific education.
Put your lab skills to the test and use specialist techniques to support organ transplantations and blood transfusions. Its challenging work that saves lives.
Main duties of the job
1. You will be required to follow Standard Operating Procedures to undertake tasks with precision, use automated equipment to test, perform, analyse, record and interpret results for wide range of laboratory investigations, technical procedures and reagent prepartion, relating to the issue of blood and tissue products, with the support of the team.
2. You will be responsible for the support and training of new and less experienced staff
3. You will be required to handle blood and tissue samples and operate a range of laboratory analysers and equipment.
4. Manual Handling of stock and equipment up to 20kg with appropriate training, equipment maintenance, stock control in ambient fridge and freezer storage areas, as well as general laboratory cleaning.
5. You will be required to work the rota specified which may include variable hours and days, weekends and public/bank holidays.
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 description
Job responsibilities
You will be working as part of a clinical team, including doctors, nurses and other health care professionals and the role you perform will directly contribute to saving and improving patient’s lives.
There are many opportunities for career advancement. With experience and training you may progress to managing a section of the laboratory, right through to being a consultant lead with responsibility for the entire laboratory service. You may use your knowledge to specialise in an area vital to the operation of a modern diagnostic service such as Quality Control, training and education or research and development.
We will provide you with an extensive induction and training programme and ongoing development to support you in your role and achieving your career ambitions.
What we offer:
NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns) Further details and outline of benefits can be found at:
We’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
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
Essential
6. Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical Scientist
7. Science graduate with relevant post graduate training eg British Blood Transfusion Society specialist certificate, British Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Diploma or equivalent experience
8. Evidence of continuous learning and professional development
9. Willingness to undertake further training and development
Experience
Essential
10. Broad science knowledge with a specialist knowledge in transfusion / tranplantation science gained through previous experience working as a Biomedical Scientist
11. Experience in specialised laboratory techniques using a wide range of complex equipment
12. Experience in prioritising and issuing work to other staff and monitoring progress to ensure deadlines are met
13. Understanding of UK Accreditation Service (UKAS), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), UK Blood Transfusion Service (UKBTS) and British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) guidelines
14. Experience of working with Information Technology
15. Experience of writing reports, preparing and delivering presentations and training and mentoring staff