University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Specialist Biomedical Scientist

The closing date is 19 June 2025

Job summary

Join our dynamic and forward-thinking Biochemistry team at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist.

Based across laboratories at RSCH (Brighton) and PRH (Haywards Heath), you'll rotate through Automation (RSCH & PRH) and Specialist Biochemistry (RSCH, including Toxicology, First Trimester Screening , Trace Metal analysis and Manual Chemistry), gaining experience in key Chemistry specialisms.

The successful applicant must be conscientious, enthusiastic and able to work well as part of a team. Applicants will be required to work across sites and participate in the 24/7 shift system.

We welcome HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientists, including those working towards their IBMS Specialist Portfolio (Band 6 awarded upon completion). Our department is ISO 15189 accredited and IBMS approved for training.

UHSussex is undergoing significant investment in enhancing lab environments and equipment. You'll benefit from structured leadership, development pathways, rotational posts, and career progression support.

Our coastal locations offer an excellent quality of life. Brightonoffers a vibrant coastal lifestyle with arts, culture, and nightlife, alongside easy London access.Haywards Heathprovides a quieter pace, excellent schools, green spaces and direct train links to London and Brighton--perfect for work-life balance.

This is a great opportunity to develop your career in a supportive, forward-looking Trust at the heart of the South East.

Main duties of the job

Required to work across sites
Will participate in the 24/7 shift system, including nights, weekends and bank-holidays.
Analyses samples according to the departmental Standard Operating Procedures (including the requesting of tests and reporting of results) using highly complex analysers, or performing highly complex techniques and informs senior staff of any proposed changes to SOP's.
Undertakes/oversees planned preventative maintenance on highly complex, expensive and specialised analysers to ensure correct functioning. Records problems and troubleshoots or refers to senior members of staff.
Prioritises workload according to national guidelines. Understands the clinical urgency of requests and the impact on patient care (i.e. the 4hr wait in A&E).
Performs calibrations on all methods, informs senior staff of any problems.
Performs and verifies quality control samples (including checking quality control charts) to ensure accuracy and precision. Carries out corrective action to ensure all analyses are performing within defined parameters. Understands the use of statistical parameters for mean and SD.
Performs external quality assurance analysis on highly specialised analysers
Undertakes analytical validation of results produced
Checks all samples before processing for status & suitability
Interprets results and clinical history to ensure patients receive correct therapy.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programmefor staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate Information Pack

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Date posted

05 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

279-7219353-JUN25

Job locations

Princess Royal Hospital and Royal Sussex County Hospital

Eastern Road

Brighton

BN2 5BE

Job description

Job responsibilities

Has an extensive knowledge of the disease process and the clinical relevance and appropriateness of diagnostic tests requested. Therefore understands why certain tests (including the abbreviations and medical terminology) are requested in certain pathological situations.
Communicates with the requesting physician to discuss the suitability of tests requested and discuss the availability of further tests which might contribute to diagnosis/patient management. Also discuss with senior member of staff if appropriate/available.
Validates results according to the SOP. Interprets results in conjunction with previous results (delta checks). Requests further work according to SOP, refers to senior staff upon completion of further work.
Handles unsuitable samples for example if taken from drip arm, too old, incorrectly labelled (according to departmental policy), insufficient volume to ensure reliability and validity of sample and will request repeat bloods be taken accordingly.
Phones highly complex and potentially sensitive results to clinicians ensuring results are understood and transcribed correctly. Acts on or refers phone calls received to appropriate area of lab.

Please see JD and PS for full details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Has an extensive knowledge of the disease process and the clinical relevance and appropriateness of diagnostic tests requested. Therefore understands why certain tests (including the abbreviations and medical terminology) are requested in certain pathological situations.
Communicates with the requesting physician to discuss the suitability of tests requested and discuss the availability of further tests which might contribute to diagnosis/patient management. Also discuss with senior member of staff if appropriate/available.
Validates results according to the SOP. Interprets results in conjunction with previous results (delta checks). Requests further work according to SOP, refers to senior staff upon completion of further work.
Handles unsuitable samples for example if taken from drip arm, too old, incorrectly labelled (according to departmental policy), insufficient volume to ensure reliability and validity of sample and will request repeat bloods be taken accordingly.
Phones highly complex and potentially sensitive results to clinicians ensuring results are understood and transcribed correctly. Acts on or refers phone calls received to appropriate area of lab.

Please see JD and PS for full details.

Person Specification

IBMS qualified

Essential

IBMS qualified

Specialist Portfolio

Essential

Specialist portfolio completed

Desirable

In progress

2 years NHS lab experience

Essential

2 years NHS lab experience

Desirable

1 year NHS lab experience

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Person Specification

IBMS qualified

Essential

IBMS qualified

Specialist Portfolio

Essential

Specialist portfolio completed

Desirable

In progress

2 years NHS lab experience

Essential

2 years NHS lab experience

Desirable

1 year NHS lab experience

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Princess Royal Hospital and Royal Sussex County Hospital

Eastern Road

Brighton

BN2 5BE

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Princess Royal Hospital and Royal Sussex County Hospital

Eastern Road

Brighton

BN2 5BE

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)