SHSCT Specialist Biomedical Scientist Haematology and Blood Transfusion Labs Band 5/6
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Branch: Craigavon Area Hospital (SHSCT)
Location: Craigavon Area Hosp-Main Building
Directorate: Adult Community and Acute Services
Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
Contract Type: Permanent
Opening date: 06/11/26
Closes: Fri, 20 November 2026 @ 4:00 PM
Interview Dates: to be confirmed.

Notes: Online and Manual applications accepted. If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week. Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards.

Flexible Working
We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

Successful applicants have the opportunity to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of Flexible Working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations, what provisions are available depends on the role being undertaken.

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JOB DETAILS
Job Title: Specialist Biomedical Scientist (6) / Biomedical Scientist (5)
Band: Band 5/6
Department: Haematology and Blood Transfusion Laboratories
Location: Craigavon and Daisy Hill Hospitals
Directorate: Acute Services
Reports to: Lead Biomedical Scientist
Accountable to: Head of Laboratory Services

JOB SUMMARY
The post-holder will be responsible for providing a comprehensive, high-quality diagnostic service within the Haematology and Transfusion Laboratory, ensuring the safe and timely provision of blood components to support clinical requirements.

At the Band 5 (Pre-specialist) level, the practitioner will focus on the acquisition of core technical competencies, performing routine analysis, and completing the IBMS Specialist Diploma under supervision.

At the Band 6 (Specialist) level, the post-holder will demonstrate advanced technical expertise, undertaking complex serological investigations, validating results, and providing clinical advice while supervising and mentoring junior staff.

• A core requirement of this position is full participation in the 24/7 out-of-hours (OOH) rota. This involves providing an autonomous, emergency service during nights, weekends, and public holidays, often requiring independent decision-making in high-pressure clinical scenarios.

All duties must be performed in strict accordance with standards regarding staffing, training, and technical proficiency to mitigate risk and ensure patient safety. Furthermore, the post-holder will actively contribute to the maintenance of the Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure continued compliance with ISO 15189 accreditation standards and the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations (BSQR).

KEY DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Carry out his/her duties with full regard to the Trust's Equal Opportunities Policy.
• Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements and report any accidents/incidents, defects with work equipment or inadequate safety arrangements to his/her manager.
• Accept legal responsibility for all records held, created or used as part of his/her duties (including manual or electronic records).
• Accept individual responsibility for ensuring a suitable, clean, uncluttered and safe environment for members of the public, staff, patients/clients and their relatives.
• Comply with the Trust's Smoke Free Policy.
• Treat those whom he/she comes into contact with in the course of work, in a courteous manner.

TECHNICAL / ANALYTICAL

• Perform all routine tests associated with their area of laboratory medicine, including issuing routine reports (printed reports and/or verbal communication of results to clinicians) or making appropriate referrals for advice where necessary (e.g. in equivocal or extremely complex cases). Reporting may take place in emergency or out of hours circumstances.
• Perform the necessary quality control procedures to ensure the analytical integrity of the results produced, identifying and implementing first line remedial action in the event of QC failure.
• Take responsibility for first line troubleshooting of analysers and equipment, carrying out any repairs which do not require the intervention of the manufacturer's specialist engineers and reporting faults as required.
• After gaining appropriate experience, be capable of providing the above analytical functions in an out of hour's context, where the post-holder is the sole Biomedical Scientist on duty for that discipline.
• Participate in the evaluation of new equipment and techniques, which may involve collation of comparative data and presentation of results.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• Maintain competency and CPD that may be required for continuing HCPC registration.
• Undertakes mandatory courses, including management and safety with particular focus on Haematology /Blood Transfusion learning programs.
• Operates to the standards set out in the Laboratory's Quality Manual. This will include ensuring that the post holder is familiar with all of the standards detailed in the manual.
• Identifies and liaises with their line manager in relation to training and educational requirements and developments in the Haematology, Blood Transfusion and andrology discipline.
• Maintains their own training to a level appropriate for the role of SPECIALIST BIOMEDICAL SCIENTIST within their department.

BAND 5 BIOMEDICAL SCIENTISTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTAIN SPECIALIST LEVEL WITHIN 18 MONTHS OF UPTAKE OF POST.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Follow Trust and Departmental safety policies including departmental codes of practice.
• Ensure that any documentation and process related to health and safety are followed such as Risk Assessments and COSHH assessments.
• May be required to liaise with safety officers attached to or independent of the department.

RELATIONSHIPS

• Is responsible for their continued competency and specialist practice in their specialism.
• Contributes to staff meetings and

SKILL REQUIREMENTS
This role offers a structured developmental pathway for HCPC-registered practitioners to transition from Band 5 (Pre-specialist) to Band 6 Specialist.

The post-holder will develop advanced clinical knowledge in both Haematology—including blood cell morphology and coagulation—and Transfusion science. While Band 5 staff focus on mastering core SOPs and completing the IBMS Specialist Diploma, progression to Band 6 requires expertise in complex serological troubleshooting and diagnostic validation.

Operating under UKTLC standards and ISO 15189 accreditation, the role demands high mental resilience to bridge high-volume core hours with the technical pressures of the 24/7 out-of-hours (OOH) rotation.

Success relies on evolving professional judgment to manage life-critical Major Haemorrhage Protocols and urgent haematological film reviews autonomously during lone-working periods. This position requires a commitment to continuous learning, ensuring safety and diagnostic accuracy are maintained in a high-stakes, 24/7 environment.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE: Biomedical Scientist/Specialist Biomedical Scientist
DIRECTORATE: Acute

Notes to applicants: You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the required criteria – failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria. 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
Band 5: State HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist or proof of ability to register, and 1 year's experience working in a Hospital Haematology/Blood Transfusion Laboratory. Band 6: State HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist, IBMS specialist portfolio in Haematology/Hospital Transfusion Practice and/or BBTS Specialist Certificate, and at least 2 years' experience working in a team of professional staff in a Hospital Haematology and Blood Transfusion Laboratory or Blood Establishment. Both bands require demonstrated knowledge and skills in quality management systems, planning and organisation, communication, problem solving, working to tight timescales and a commitment to high quality, safe services.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA
Experience working in a team of professional staff in a Hospital Haematology and Blood Transfusion Laboratory or Blood Establishment; experience with IT and statistical analysis packages; evidence of working towards an IBMS specialist portfolio in Haematology/Hospital Transfusion Practice.

The Organisation is an equal opportunities employer. Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment and can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale. All staff are required to comply with the Trust's Smoke Free Policy and are expected to display the HSC Values at all times.