Biomedical Scientist Specialist

Job Summary

Our laboratories support over half of all haemopoietic stem cell transplants performed in England each year through a network of GMP grade laboratories in six specialist facilities across the country.

Working with academic partners in Centres of Excellence, we aim to be at the forefront of clinical improvements related to these transplants and to use our expertise in GMP, quality and regulatory matters to promote other areas of research. NHS Blood and Transplant also supplies blood and blood components, and manages 5,500 organ and corneal transplants every year.

The department provides specialist services to hospitals covering a large geographical area. We work with peripheral blood derived stem cells, umbilical cord blood and bone marrow cells, collected for patients undergoing stem cell transplantation. We have close partnerships with various transplant programmes and other groups undertaking clinical trials, ground breaking research and service development.

Biomedical Scientists wishing to develop specialist skills in Cellular and Molecular Therapies will be considered for the posts, paid as a BMS on an NHS Band 5 scale whilst achieving the necessary experience and qualifications.

Main duties of the job

Your responsibilities will include:

• You will be required to perform, analyse, record and interpret a wide range of laboratory investigations and technical procedures relating to patient test results and the processing and issue of stem cell and immunotherapy products, with the support of the team.
• You will sometimes be required to work in a grade B cleanroom environment.
• You will be responsible for the support and training of new and less experienced staff.
• You will be required to handle blood and tissue samples and operate a range of laboratory analysers and equipment.

The role may require you to work variable hours and days, weekends and bank holidays as per the roster within the department (unless otherwise rostered within the shift agreement) with appropriate notice, depending on specialty – see ‘About the Benefits’.

Biomedical Scientists wishing to develop specialist skills in Cellular and Molecular Therapies will be considered for the posts, paid as a BMS on an NHS Band 5 scale whilst achieving the necessary experience and qualifications.

About You

Experience and Knowledge

• Broad science knowledge with a specialist knowledge in transfusion / transplantation science gained through previous experience working as a Biomedical Scientist.
• Experience in specialised laboratory techniques using a wide range of complex equipment.
• Experience in prioritising and issuing work to other staff and monitoring progress to ensure deadlines are met.
• Experience of working with Information Technology.
• Experience of writing reports, preparing and delivering presentations and training and mentoring staff (N/A for band 5 – see Profile document for more info).

Qualifications and Training

• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical Scientist
• Science graduate with relevant post graduate training eg British Blood Transfusion Society specialist certificate, British Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Diploma or equivalent experience (N/A for band 5 – see Profile document for more info).
• Evidence of continuous learning and professional development.
• Willingness to undertake further training and development.

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.

About Us

At NHS Blood and Transplant, we’re incredibly proud of the many talented people who come together every day to make our organisation the very best it can be. We have clearly defined values that are centred around offering exceptional care to our donors and their families. We take care of each other too and we focus on building our expertise so we can change lives, provide quality support and offer fulfilling careers.

It’s an opportunity to contribute to a unique team as part of a service that saves lives 365 days a year. We offer brilliant benefits including 27 days of holiday (plus bank holidays), a comprehensive induction and training programme, and competitive pension scheme.

We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with and positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality.

Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.

This vacancy will close at 23:59 on Sunday 23rd March 2023.

Interviews are anticipated to be held on Wednesday W/C 17th April 2023 – subject to confirmation.

For informal enquiries please contact Ash Uddin – Deputy Head of SCI Services Department via email at: ash.uddin@nhsbt.nhs.uk