Job summarySenior Biomedical Scientists (BMS) provide an essential team leader role within all Pathology disciplines. This role involves technical expertise and line management of staff. In addition, at WSFT we aim to embed quality within all Pathology teams and this will form a significant part of the Senior BMS role.
This Senior BMS role within Biochemistry would be expected to work within the senior team supporting all senior duties but with more of a focus on the main laboratory operations and maintaining the main Biochemistry analysers and service
Main duties of the job- Responsible as lead BMS for a specialist area.
- Provide day to day support for main Biochemistry analysers
- Manages and coordinates the day-to-day activities of the team.
- Focussed on quality, health and safety, training and service improvement.
- Processes specialist investigations and responsible for standard and quality of results.
- Provides specialist advice to clinicians as to appropriateness of tests and timescales.
- Provides specialist service e.g. training, advanced trouble shooting, problem solving for specialist requirement.
- Works flexibly in reflection of service needs which may include an extended working day and/or participation in delivery of a 24-hour, 7 day per week service.
- The work of the service brings staff into constant contact with human body fluids, tissues and hazardous chemicals. This may include blood, pus, urine, faeces, and respiratory secretions.
About us#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Date posted: 16 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year Per Annum, Pro Rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 179-7633961-C
Job responsibilitiesTechnical and Scientific- Manage the performance of manual, semi-automated, specialist and fully automated laboratory investigations within a defined service area accurately and efficiently.
- Day to day management of stock control and usage.
- Manage quality control procedures and the processing of quality control material as per established protocols.
- Implement policies for service improvement and propose policy changes that may impact beyond own area.
- Ensure the validation of test results which may be highly specialised, and escalate where appropriate in line with established protocols.
- Responsible for ensuring equipment, including highly specialist equipment, is set up and maintained for others to use, to achieve the optimum instrument performance and maintain a clean and safe working environment.
- Perform advanced troubleshooting in line with established protocols by using judgement on how to proceed during technical failures.
- Participate in Research and Development, clinical trials and equipment testing.
Communication- Liaise with the Laboratory Manager, Quality Manager and other Quality Leads across Pathology as required.
- Participate in relevant departmental meetings as agreed with the Laboratory Manager and Quality Manager.
- Communicate to staff the role of the Quality Policy and how the processes described in the Quality Manual will meet these aims.
- Communicate with colleagues about investigations required and explains complex information and results to staff.
- Influence clinicians regarding appropriate test usage and result interpretation.
- Liaise with other departments, agencies and suppliers in relation to tests and services required.
- Communicate with service users, including patients as appropriate.
Information Resources- Records and interprets test results, maintains integrity and accuracy of laboratory data, including data entered by others.
- Responsible for laboratory data and creation of highly specialist reports.
- Able to record and collate test results on the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and manual systems in accordance with agreed standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Ensures patient confidentiality and conformance to the General Data Protection Regulation and Caldicott Guidelines.
- Able to use the LIMS, email, internet and automated operating systems; and other software packages as required to create specialist reports.
Quality/Governance/Risk ManagementBe responsible for the standard and quality of results ensuring that all activities are undertaken in line with document control and the quality management system.
Propose and implement changes to policies and SOPs to ensure compliance with ISO 15189.
Design and initiate audits and where appropriate, propose service improvements for own area.
When an incident occurs, take immediate appropriate action and ensure incident forms and risk assessments are completed and investigated. Implement recommendations where appropriate.
Education, Training and Development- Supervise and mentor staff providing practical and theoretical training to groups.
- Train staff in quality management including initial support and training in the use of the QMS, as appropriate to staff grade and job roles.
- Participates in the appraisal process in line with current policies.
Maintain personal appropriate level of training, competency and continued professional development.
Maintain registration with Health and Care Professions Council.
Other responsibilitiesThe post-holder will be expected to participate in the delivery of specific duties and/or specialised responsibilities in line with the banding of the post. These responsibilities will be agreed with the post holder, will be subject to regular review and may be amended at any time with the post holders agreement. These responsibilities may be associated with specialised roles.
Person SpecificationEducation and QualificationEssential- HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
- Biomedical Science Degree or equivalent.
- Appropriate post registration IBMS Specialist Diploma or demonstrable equivalence to the learning outcomes of the Specialist Diploma.
- Appropriate post graduate qualification / or evidence of significant progress towards such a qualification, for example: IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma Appropriate Masters Degree Or demonstrate equivalence to the learning outcomes of an IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or an MSc accredited by the IBMS.
- Evidence of CPD.
Desirable- Quality Management Qualification.
- Training Qualification.
- Health and Safety Qualification.
Experience and KnowledgeEssential- Highly specialist knowledge and experience across a range of work procedures and practices underpinned by theory and practice relevant to post.
- Extensive practical experience of working in a Biomedical Science laboratory.
- Experience of Pathology IT systems.
- Practical experience of Quality Management Systems.
- Experience of performing and evaluating Risk Assessments.
- Experience of performing audits and addressing non-conformances identified.
- Experience of training and mentoring.
- Experience of incident reporting and investigation.
- IT competent, able to effectively use, Microsoft Word and Excel.
Desirable- Relevant experience of working in the NHS.
- Experience of managing people.
Skills and AbilitiesEssential- Excellent interpretation and analytical skills.
- Able to prioritise own workload and that of others to meet needs of the service.
- Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time.
- High degree of manual dexterity to perform complex laboratory techniques.
- Self-motivated and proactive.
- Professional, friendly and approachable.
- Demonstrable mentoring skills.
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- Ability to work independently as well as being a strong team player.
- Ability to respond flexibly to problems and issues raised and respond appropriately.
- Excellent time management skills with the ability to work to tight and often challenging timescales.
Personal QualitiesEssential- High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Strives for excellence.
- Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
- Ability to meet targets and deadlines.
- Ability to learn and assimilate new information.
- Organised but able to cope with interruptions.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines where there are competing demands.
- Awareness of self and impact on others.
- Flexible approach to working hours/duties.
Desirable- Credible and effective leadership qualities.
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer detailsEmployer name: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address: West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.wsh.nhs.uk
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact: Biochemistry Laboratory Manager, Graeme Ellis, Graeme.Ellis@wsh.nhs.uk, 01284713082
Apply through our website. 