Advertised role location: Craigavon Area Hosp-Main Building
Official document: Job Description/Personnel Specification (Updated 05/10/2026) (pdf)
Lead Biomedical Scientist
Cellular Pathology & Mortuary Services
Band 8A

V4 – Released 16.08.2019____________________________________________________________________________
Page 1 of 15
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB SUMMARY
The post holder will practice as a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist and is responsible
for the management of the Cellular Pathology department within the Southern Health and
Social Care Trust (SHSCT). The post holder will lead and manage the technical and
diagnostic aspects of the Cellular Pathology Department. The post holder will provide a
high standard of analytical expertise and encourage the professional development of staff.
He/she will ensure the provision of a high quality clinical, diagnostic Cellular Pathology
service that meets the
;
national standards of accreditation (UKAS) and the needs of all
potential users. To deputise as appropriate for the Head of Laboratory Services in his/her
absence.
The post holder will be part of the Laboratory Management Team and will be actively
involved in formulating policy and participating in decision making for the SHSCT Cellular
Pathology laboratory. The post holder will contribute to and participate in pan-laboratory
development plans. The post holder will advise the departmental Consultant Medical staff
and Head of Laboratory Services on service delivery and provide specialist knowledge in
relation to technical aspects of service delivery in support of best patient management.
KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
JOB TITLE Lead Biomedical Scientist, Cellular Pathology
BAND 8A
DIRECTORATE Surgical and Clinical Services
INITIAL LOCATION Craigavon Area Hospital
REPORTS TO Head of Laboratory Services
ACCOUNTABLE TO Assistant Director
FLEXIBLE WORKING
PROVISIONS AVAILABLE Fixed working patterns, Compressed/elongated hours,
Hybrid working

V4 – Released 16.08.2019____________________________________________________________________________
Page 2 of 15
1. Communications
• Responsible for communication and information cascade to all staff
throughout the department.
• Undertake staff briefings and enable access to necessary sources so that all
staff is aware of relevant laboratory Trust and national initiatives and
developments.
• Receive, assess and interpret a wide range of information and determine
requirement for communication, action and response as appropriate.
• Plan, lead, facilitate and present at meetings, training sessions and
conferences as necessary.
2. General Management
• Through participation in management groups, contribute to the formulation,
development, implementation and delivery of laboratory strategy.
• In collaboration with the Head of Laboratory Services and the Lead Consultant
Pathologist, develop and collate departmental work plans.
• Responsible for ensuring the department meets targets for strategic and
operational objectives identified in Business Plans.
• Provide professional leadership for those members of staff for whom the post-
holder is accountable, leading the staff by example and in a manner which will
encourage the development of positive attitudes.
3. Financial management
• Operate value for money measures within the constraints of the departmental
resource.
• Advise the Head of Laboratory Services on resource implications of change in
methodologies and the need to control increase in costs wherever possible.
• Assist in departmental efforts to generate additional income.
• Organise and operate a system of stock control for all Cellular Pathology
reagents and be able to account for quantities used for costing information.
• Validate all overtime and "on-call" claims forms.
4. Technical, Planning and Service Development

V4 – Released 16.08.2019____________________________________________________________________________
Page 3 of 15
• In collaboration with management team, plan and prioritise current and future
work requirements and ensure laboratory services meet and comply with
recognised best practices, are safe, economical and effective and delivered
within available resources.
• Manage the work and staff within the Cellular Pathology Department and to
monitor performance.
• Supervise, organise and when required, participate in the technical work of the
department.
• Responsible for maintaining adequate staff levels and skills mix through the
working day and out of hours to ensure continuity of service.
• Manage the Cellular Pathology emergency "on-call" technical service to ensure
maintenance of service quality and compliance with European Working Time
Directive.
• Contribute to the annual planning process and provision of business cases for
new equipment and supplies in conjunction with the consultant lead.
• Assist in developing and monitoring any necessary support services such as
transport, estates and domestic services to ensure acceptable levels of service
provision.
• Organise forward planning for work of all sections so that an adequate level of
service is maintained at all times.
• Organise and participate (as required) in all aspects of the Cellular Pathology
workload, and ensure that all specimens, irrespective of source, are examined
promptly and correctly.
• Rationalise service during maintenance shutdown, equipment failure and
seasonal variations in both workload and staff shortage.
• Contribute to the pan-laboratory core services providing staff and resources as
required by Head of Laboratory Services.
• Perform advanced specialised activities of work commensurate with
knowledge and experience.

V4 – Released 16.08.2019____________________________________________________________________________
Page 4 of 15
5. Human Resources
• Responsible for day-to-day management of all grades of non-medical Cellular
Pathology staff (and other/visitors as appropriate).
• Ensure that changes in workload are covered by staff rotation including out of
hours cover and Bank Holidays where appropriate. To co-operate with the Head
of Laboratory Services and other departmental leads on agreed redeployment of
staff across the SHSCT laboratories in support of staff development and
maximum efficiency.
• Ensure Cellular Pathology staffs understand their duties and responsibilities and the
means by which performance standards will be monitored.
• Take the lead on the identification of training needs for Cellular Pathology staff
and to deliver these within the resources available. Liaise with Laboratory
Manager on approval for formal educational courses. In addition to assist in the
planning of programmes for, and the involvement in, the training of medical,
scientific and other staff.
• Organise both senior and junior staff meetings/briefings.
• Participate in monthly Laboratory Management Team meetings.
• Participate in the induction of staff.
6. Equipment and Facilities
• Maintenance of Cellular Pathology departmental asset register /inventory listing.
• Collate departmental requirements for Capital Equipment Planning, including
completion of statement of needs and supplier quotations.
• Ensure that all equipment within the department is regularly and correctly
maintained and subjected to appropriate electrical safety checks.
• Monitor equipment service and maintenance contracts.
• Responsible for the care, maintenance and security of departmental
laboratory premises and equipment.
7. Quality Management
• Ensure that all technical methods are documented and reviewed as necessary
and thereby assist in the departments' efforts to maintain accreditation.

V4 – Released 16.08.2019____________________________________________________________________________
Page 5 of 15
• Ensure that the department maintains a regular Audit programme. This provides a
mechanism for maintaining a quality system and compliance with accreditation
standards and improving quality standards within the department.
• Maintain work standards and performance, ensuring a timely quality service is
provided by all units of the Cellular Pathology Department.
• Ensure that all laboratory errors are properly recorded and where appropriate
remedial action taken.
• Ensure that agreed methods of both internal and external quality control are fully
operative and adhered to and make recommendations as appropriate for
improvements to internal quality standards.
• Organise participation in external and internal quality assurance and
monitoring Performance, implementing corrective action where necessary.
8. Health and Safety
• Responsible for the maintenance of a clean and safe working environment
ensuring that all staff work, at all times, in a safe manner and maintain
standards of conduct and working practice in accordance with PH Health and
Safety policies.
• Be the departmental safety officer and liaise with the Head of Laboratory
Services on all aspects of safety. Be a member of the laboratory safety
committee.
• Report all incidents and accidents.
• Ensure that policies and procedures relating to work in containment level 3
laboratories are rigorously applied and regularly reviewed.
• Ensure attendance and maintain records for all mandatory staff training e.g.
fire safety training.
• Responsible for devising and implementing risk assessments for the Cellular
Pathology department.
• The post-holder is the departmental Fire Safety Officer.
9. Information Management
• Work in accordance with the, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
particularly in relation to clinical and diagnostic details of patients.

V4 – Released 16.08.2019____________________________________________________________________________
Page 6 of 15
• Ensure the maintenance of a system for the safe and confidential storage,
retrieval and disposal of all departmental patient records and specimens.
• Manage and perform computerised validation of reports to ensure accuracy,
integrity and appropriateness of patient demographics and result information as
required
10. Research and Development
• Participate in equipment testing and reagent evaluation for the improvement of existing
or implementation of new techniques.
• Contribute to clinical/scientific audit within the department.
• Be adaptable to change and when appropriate, oversee the implementation of new
technology.
• Attend and contribute to scientific meetings and maintain knowledge of technical and
scientific developments.
• Develop and contribute to initiatives for technological development and service
improvement within the laboratory and Trust.
• Supervise staff research projects to MSc level as required.
• Use advanced specialist knowledge of Cellular Pathology to trouble-shoot service
delivery problems.
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trust supports and promotes a culture of collective leadership where those who
have responsibility for managing other staff:
1. Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and
enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the
required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the
services they deliver.
2. Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and
support.

V4 – Released 16.08.2019____________________________________________________________________________
Page 7 of 15
3. Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.
4. Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their
full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making.
5. Adhere to and promote Trust policy and procedure in all staffing matters,
participating as appropriate in a way which underpins Trust values.
RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES
1. The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture
of openness and transparency.
2. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and
act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’
policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.
3. The post holder will, in the event of a concern being raised with them, ensure that it
is managed correctly under the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern
(Whistleblowing)’ policy and ensure feedback/learning is communicated at individual,
team and organisational level.
EMERGENCY PLANNING & BUSINESS CONTINUITY RESPONSIBILITIES
• To work proactively with the Trust’s Emergency planner and other internal and
external stakeholders to develop appropriate emergency response and business
continuity plans to ensure the service can maintain a state of emergency
preparedness to respond safely and effectively to a range of threats, hazards and
disruption.
PERSONAL AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES (PPI)
• Lead on and be responsible for the co-ordination of the Trust’s PPI Strategy
within the Division or other sphere of responsibility . This will include supporting
active engagement with user groups and the voluntary and independent sectors
in the design and delivery of services.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The post holder will be required to:

V4 – Released 16.08.2019____________________________________________________________________________
Page 8 of 15
1. Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own
actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.
2. Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety
arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her
manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for
patients/clients, members of the public and staff.
3. Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example:
• Smoke Free policy
• IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct
• standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour
4. Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your
designated area of work.
5. Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection
prevention and control.
6. All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or
used as part of their business within the Trust including patients/clients, corporate
and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including
emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public,
with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the
Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection
Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to
be conversant with the Trust’s policy and procedures on records management and to
seek advice if in doubt.
7. Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to
maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.
8. Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of
service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom
he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and
respectful manner.
This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and
is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines
within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the
grade may be assigned from time to time.

V4 – Released 16.08.2019____________________________________________________________________________
Page 9 of 15
It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location
within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.
September 2026

V4 – Released 16.08.2019____________________________________________________________________________
Page 10 of 15
PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE AND BAND Lead Biomedical Scientist - Cellular
Pathology Band 8A
DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Cellular Pathology/Surgical and Clinical
Services
SALARY
HOURS 37. 5 hours per week
Notes to applicants:
1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the
required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly
demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
2. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below,
using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves
the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly
demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.
3. Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment
is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at
shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection
stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you
meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in
the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.
Factor Criteria Method of
Assessment
Experience
1. At least 3 years' experience at Band 7
Biomedical Scientist level within a Cellular
Pathology laboratory.
2. Experience of line managing staff.
3. Experience of managing the laboratory
quality management system including
UKAS accreditation.
Shortlisting by
Application Form

V4 – Released 16.08.2019____________________________________________________________________________
Page 11 of 15
Qualifications/
Registration
4. Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical
Science (FIBMS) by examination or
hold an MSc in Biomedical Science.
5. Registered Biomedical Scientist with Health
and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Shortlisting by
Application Form
Other 6. Hold a current full driving licence which is
valid for use in the UK and have access to
a car on appointment. This criteria will be
waived in the case of applicants whose
disability prohibits driving but who have
access to a form of transport approved by
the Trust which will permit them to carry
out the duties of the post.
Shortlisting by
Application Form
SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the
interview/ selection stage:
Skills /
Abilities
7. Ability to manage change using
appropriate leadership skills.
8. Ability to demonstrate good organisational
skills with particular attention to the
management of workload in a clinical
diagnostic environment.
9. Excellent communication skills, being
able to deal with staff at all levels of the
organisation and external stakeholder.
10. Participation in Continual
Professional Development
(CPD).
11. Ability to demonstrate financial
knowledge and awareness for the
management of a department.
Interview
Knowledge
12. High level of awareness - up to
date with issues relating to the
area of work and the profession.
Interview
DESIRABLE CRITERIA

V4 – Released 16.08.2019____________________________________________________________________________
Page 12 of 15
SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related
criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application
form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted
Factor Criteria Method of
Assessment
Qualifications
1. Hold a management qualification.
Shortlisting by
Application Form
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that
they have the required competencies to be effective in this demanding leadership role.
The competencies concerned are set out in the NHS Healthcare Leadership Model,
details of which can be found at
http://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/resources/healthcare-leadership-model.
Particular attention will be given to the following dimensions:
• Inspiring shared purpose
• Leading with care
• Evaluating information
• Connecting our service
• Sharing the vision
• Engaging the team
• Holding to account
• Developing capability
• Influencing for results.
As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry
out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this
post can be confirmed.
THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
Successful applicants:
• may be required to attend for a Health Assessment
• can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting
salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has
experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing
HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.
• are able to request Flexible Working from the 1
st
day of their employment. A
number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations
including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time,
Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time
working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern,

V4 – Released 16.08.2019____________________________________________________________________________
Page 13 of 15
depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged
to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available
in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them
achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times