Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic HCPC State Registered Biomedical Scientist to join the Clinical Biochemistry team within our busy, supportive, and forward-thinking Blood Sciences department.

This vacancy is offered as a 10-month secondment at Band 6.

The successful candidate will be primarily based at the Bedford site, with flexibility to work at the Luton & Dunstable site when required to support service needs. This position offers an excellent opportunity to gain specialist expertise, with comprehensive training and strong support for ongoing professional development.

Once training is complete, the post holder will participate in the 24/7 shift rota across both sites, as needed.

Our department is UKAS accredited and approved for IBMS/HCPC training. We are also one of the few organisations accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science to deliver Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology, and Transfusion Science training within the clinical sciences.

We remain committed to continually enhancing our services, including expanding on-site testing capabilities and strengthening integration with wider clinical teams.

Main duties of the job
As a Specialist Biomedical Scientist within the Clinical Biochemistry department, the post holder will:

• Uphold high professional standards -- Maintain consistently high-quality scientific practice, motivate colleagues, and act as a positive professional role model within the team.
• Contribute specialist expertise -- Participate fully in all areas of departmental activity, particularly where advanced knowledge is required, performing tests and assays with accuracy, precision, and a methodical scientific approach.
• Support senior laboratory leadership -- Assist senior laboratory staff in delivering a cohesive, efficient, and high-quality service, working closely with the department's Clinical Lead.
• Provide leadership in absence of seniors -- Deputise for senior laboratory staff when required, ensuring continuity of service and effective operational oversight.

About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To perform as a HCPC Registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist [BMS] assisting in the delivery of the department services.
• To assist the departmental laboratory senior in the implementation and delivery of a cohesive service, in conjunction the clinical lead of the department.
• To implement the quality policy for the department including the agreed quality objectives.
• To contribute to the implementation of UKAS standards for the department using the Pathology Quality Management System as established, to fulfill the quality circles and audit inherent to the ISO 15189 standards of compliance.
• To deputise in the absence of the departmental laboratory senior when required to do so.

Qualifications
Essential

• HCPC registered
• Completed an Institute of Biomedical Scientist (IBMS) accredited degree (BSc) in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent and demonstrable experience at BMS level.
• Completed an Institute of Biomedical Scientist (IBMS) Higher Specialist Diploma (HSD) in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent.

Desirable

• Master's degree or related professional health care qualification (FIBMS or Chartered Scientist) or equivalent.

Experience
Essential

• Substantial experience in Biomedical Science at an advanced level.
• demonstrable ability to work without supervision

Desirable

• Supervisory role in a laboratory
• audit and evaluation experience

Personal Skills
Essential

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, at all levels.
• Good listening skills
• Excellent Inter-personal skills
• Ability to utilise evaluation tools

Desirable

• Ability to analyse complex data and use information to inform judgements

Knowledge
Essential

• Fully conversant with the Biomedical methodology and ability to employ advanced techniques of laboratory diagnosis.
• Accurate input of data while working under pressure.
• Ability to plan own work and the work of others

Desirable

• Knowledge of current UKAS accreditation standards

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ, United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Clinical Biochemistry Manager
Carla Burnett
carla.burnett@ldh.nhs.uk
01582718820