Job summary
Diagnostics Band 5 / Band 6 Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Cover of 24/7 shifts as required)
Job ref: 210-2025-262
Employer: Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Countess of Chester Hospital
Town: Chester
Salary: £29,970 - £44,962 pa
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 16/04/2025 23:59
Interview date: 30/04/2025
Employer heading
Band 5 / Band 6
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement. Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare through partnership and innovation. Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values, and behaviours. We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
Job overview
Working hours: 37.5 hours per week including 24/7 shift cover
Band: 5/6 - Dependent on experience
The Blood Sciences department has an exciting vacancy for a Biomedical Scientist, Band 5 or 6, dependent upon previous experience. We would like to recruit a BMS specifically with Clinical Biochemistry experience into this post.
The role includes working as part of a multidisciplinary trained BMS team primarily within Clinical Biochemistry. The role includes the expectation that the post holder will take part in the 24/7 cover provided by the laboratory, including rotation on days, nights, and weekends. The successful post holder will also be required to undergo basic multidisciplinary training within Haematology.
The laboratory utilises Beckman Coulter automation across Blood Sciences, and an equipment refresh is due later this year within Clinical Biochemistry for both mainline and immunoassay platforms.
Main duties of the job
1. To ensure the work within Blood Sciences is processed to the required standard, within agreed turnaround times and appropriate action is taken when necessary following departmental procedures.
2. To perform equipment maintenance and quality control of test procedures to agreed schedules within assigned area.
3. To ensure quality compliance to maintain laboratory accreditation to ISO 15189:2022, including participation in audits.
4. To monitor and maintain equipment, undertake basic troubleshooting and inform section leader of any non-conformities.
5. To contribute to providing reports in a timely manner to contribute to patient care and treatment.
6. Under strict protocols, validate and authorise routine and specialist results, or refer to Blood Sciences clinical staff for release to users where appropriate.
7. To participate in the rotation through, and maintain competency in, all relevant departments of the Blood Sciences laboratory.
8. To assist with laboratory stores and maintenance of consumable stocks.
9. To suggest ways to improve working practices.
10. To assist with verification of assays or equipment when required.
Working for our organisation
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:
* The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds
* Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility
* Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Trust employs over 6258 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 407,000.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. HCPC Registration
2. IBMS Accredited Biomedical Sciences Degree or equivalent
Desirable criteria
1. Membership of IBMS
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
1. Be proficient in the use of information technology, in particular lab computer system.
2. Be fully competent with the use of standard laboratory analysers across the various disciplines (Transfusion, Haematology and/or Biochemistry)
3. Demonstrate professional and technical judgement.
Desirable criteria
1. Multidisciplinary experience within Transfusion, Haematology and Biochemistry
2. Experience with fully automated Blood Sciences systems
3. Able to assist in instructing and training other staff after a suitable length of experience
Disclosure and Barring Service Check If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn.
The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.
Overseas Candidates
The Department of Health and Social Care has released a new publication to support overseas candidates looking to work in health and care in the UK. Please follow the below link: Applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
#J-18808-Ljbffr