Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join the Haematology and Blood Transfusion team at Birmingham Children's Hospital. While the role is aimed at an experienced Band 6 specialist, applications are welcome from Band 5 biomedical scientists working toward their IBMS Haematology and Blood Transfusion portfolio. A minimum of one year post-registration experience in a UK Haematology/Blood Transfusion laboratory is essential.

The department provides a comprehensive 24/7 service for the hospital and community, covering a wide range of paediatric investigations. It supports regional centres for Haemoglobinopathy, Haemophilia and bone marrow transplantation, as well as specialist transfusion services for surgery and emergency care. You will join a dedicated team committed to delivering high-quality, life-saving care.

Applicants must have prior Haematology experience and be committed to maintaining high professional standards and up-to-date knowledge. Participation in the 24/7 rota is required. The role includes rotation through Diagnostic Haematology, Specialist Haemostasis and Flow Cytometry, and Blood Transfusion, with full training provided. The department actively supports professional development, including IBMS specialist portfolios and postgraduate study, and encourages engagement with patient-focused initiatives such as Harvey's Gang.

Main duties of the job
Support the department in providing safe and high-quality results and transfusion support through regular rotation within the sub-speciality sections and a continuous 24-hour service.

About us
Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. Our trust was formed in 2017 to drive forward our commitment to provide the highest quality, world-class physical and mental healthcare for women, children, and families alike. Uniting our hospitals means that more seamless care, and more efficient investment to refine and our world-leading specialist treatment centres. Importantly, it gives us a greater voice in shaping the future of family-centred care.

Birmingham Children's Hospital is a U.K. leading specialist paediatric centre, with an international reputation in several areas of medicine. Birmingham Women's Hospital is one of only two hospitals dedicated to the care of Women within the U.K., with the busiest single site maternity unit, delivering more than 8,200 babies annually and providing a full range of gynaecological and neonatal care.

Our trust is committed to creating the best place to work for our colleagues. As part of this, we believe in championing inclusion, diversity, and equality, and encourage applications form all areas of the community, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

Job responsibilities
Further details regarding the position can be found in the attached job description and person specification. The applicant should familiarise themselves with this document to understand the full details for this exciting opportunity at Birmingham Womens and Childrens NHS Foundation Trust.

When completing the application, please ensure that you have evidenced how you meet the job description and person specification, and include transferable experience, qualifications, skills, along with professional registration details.

It is quite possible that we will receive a large number of applications for this role, and when this happens, we may take the decision to bring the application date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential

• Registration with Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Knowledge and practical skills in Blood Transfusion
• Knowledge and practical skills in Haematology / Coagulation
• 2 years of experience working as a Band 5 Biomedical Scientist

Desirable

• Knowledge and practical skills in Blood Film Morphology
• Knowledge and practical skills in Flow Cytometry (Haematology)
• Currently working towards completing Specialist Portfolio
• Experience of lone/out of hours working

Requirements
Essential

• Haematology and Blood Transfusion experience in a UK laboratory
• Appointment to band 6 will require the post holder to have an IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Haematology and Blood Transfusion

Desirable

• Current band 5 with Haematology and Blood Transfusion experience in a UK laboratory
• Completion of IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Haematology and Blood Transfusion

Nature of experience

• Knowledge of Quality Assurance and audit practices, Laboratory Accreditation under ISO15189, HCPC and IBMS professional standards and Laboratory Health and Safety standards

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.

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).

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

For questions about the job, contact:
Deputy Section Head - Blood Sciences
Claire Sisk
samuel.dey@nhs.net
01213339858