Job summary
Specialist Biomedical Scientist
Department: Blood Sciences - Chemistry
Band 6
Hours: 37.5 per week 10 Months Fixed Term
An opportunity has arisen within this busy Pathology service to join the Blood Science (Chemical Pathology) team for 10 Months fixed term. Do you have experience working as a Biomedical Scientist in a Chemistry Laboratory? Would you like to join a hardworking, caring and collaborative team?
The post holder will work as part of a dedicated team of Biomedical Scientists within the Chemical Pathology department, delivering a high-quality, efficient and responsive diagnostic service in line with MKUH values of We Care, We Communicate, We Collaborate and We Contribute. Responsibilities include performing and validating complex analytical investigations on blood and other biological materials, ensuring accuracy, reliability and timely reporting of results to support patient diagnosis and treatment.
Interviews will be held on Thursday 27th November 2025. The vacancy may close once sufficient applicants have been received.
For further information contact Sanjiv Sawock (Sanjiv.Sawock@mkuh.nhs.uk), Chemical Pathology Operational Manager 01908 995831 orTelephone the laboratory and ask to speak to a Senior 01908 955761
Main duties of the job
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
"- NHS Survey, 2024'' This team is supported in personal development and 75.5% can access the right learning and development opportunities when needed.
The successful candidate will maintain competence across all analytical platforms, troubleshoot instrumentation, uphold quality assurance standards, and participate in internal and external quality schemes.
They will also contribute to the training and supervision of junior staff, assist with method development and service improvement, and work flexibly as part of the 24/7 service to ensure continuity of patient care in accordance with Trust and national standards.
We have committed leadership who engage our staff, listen to innovative ideas, and involve our people in the challenges and improvements that our organisation faces. Continuing professional and personal development is encouraged and supported. The laboratory is also an IBMS training laboratory.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working Relationships:
To practice speciality within a managed environment.
To work both alone and as part of a departmental team.
To attend departmental, directorate and other meetings as required.
To attend specialist external training and educational courses when required, i.e. advanced instrument troubleshooting and repair etc.
Knowledge and Experience:
Must hold honours degree in biomedical science.
Must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a practitioner in biomedical science.
Must have experience in the role of Biomedical Scientist in Chemical Pathology or Blood Sciences.
Biomedical Scientists who have been registered by Completion of the Certificate of Competence Registration Portfolio must complete the Specialist Portfolio within a minimum period of 2 years to demonstrate the knowledge and to evidence the required competencies.
Main Responsibilities
To operate in a professional manner in compliance with the professional codes of conduct (IBMS).
To organise daily duties in the provision of a quality service.
To prioritise the individuals specialist workload.
To use experience, knowledge and judgement to make decisions on laboratory results. To interpret complex multifactorial results and take appropriate actions in line with laboratory and National policies and procedures. E.g. Authorisation of results, ordering relevant follow up procedures, adding technical and approved clinically relevant comments, referring results for clinical interpretation or opinion, proactively informing a clinician of clinically significant results.
To perform advanced maintenance and troubleshooting of all instruments within the department, utilising experience and judgement to effect repairs thus maintaining the operational effectiveness of the department.
To perform basic troubleshooting of relevant Blood Gas point of care testing analysers sited outside the department, utilising experience and judgement to effect repairs thus maintaining the operational effectiveness of the devices within the trust.
Perform specialist analysis in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures.
To undertake technical validation of the results from laboratory investigations to ensure accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory quality procedures and protocols.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working Relationships:
To practice speciality within a managed environment.
To work both alone and as part of a departmental team.
To attend departmental, directorate and other meetings as required.
To attend specialist external training and educational courses when required, i.e. advanced instrument troubleshooting and repair etc.
Knowledge and Experience:
Must hold honours degree in biomedical science.
Must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a practitioner in biomedical science.
Must have experience in the role of Biomedical Scientist in Chemical Pathology or Blood Sciences.
Biomedical Scientists who have been registered by Completion of the Certificate of Competence Registration Portfolio must complete the Specialist Portfolio within a minimum period of 2 years to demonstrate the knowledge and to evidence the required competencies.
Main Responsibilities
To operate in a professional manner in compliance with the professional codes of conduct (IBMS).
To organise daily duties in the provision of a quality service.
To prioritise the individuals specialist workload.
To use experience, knowledge and judgement to make decisions on laboratory results. To interpret complex multifactorial results and take appropriate actions in line with laboratory and National policies and procedures. E.g. Authorisation of results, ordering relevant follow up procedures, adding technical and approved clinically relevant comments, referring results for clinical interpretation or opinion, proactively informing a clinician of clinically significant results.
To perform advanced maintenance and troubleshooting of all instruments within the department, utilising experience and judgement to effect repairs thus maintaining the operational effectiveness of the department.
To perform basic troubleshooting of relevant Blood Gas point of care testing analysers sited outside the department, utilising experience and judgement to effect repairs thus maintaining the operational effectiveness of the devices within the trust.
Perform specialist analysis in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures.
To undertake technical validation of the results from laboratory investigations to ensure accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory quality procedures and protocols.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of Health and Safety considerations
- IBMS Accredited BSc (Hons)
- HCPC State Registration
- Specialist Portfolio or equivalent.
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development.
- Understanding of Quality Assurance.
- Understanding of QMS and accreditation standards (ISO 15189)
Experience
Essential
- Experience as a BMS in chemical pathology laboratory
- Understanding of Quality Assurance.
- Participation in out of hours service.
- Participation in the evaluation of new analysers/ analyses.
Desirable
- Instrument maintenance and troubleshooting skills.
- Awareness of wider NHS/Pathology initiatives
Skills
Essential
- Effective team worker
- Sound understanding of H&S legislation and requirements
- Ability to operate, maintain and calibrate complex equipment
- Ability to work accurately at a rate of output appropriate to a diagnostic laboratory
Desirable
- Analyser troubleshooting skills.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to work on own and as part of a team.
- Experience of planning and implementing training of other staff
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Flexible approach
- IT literate
Desirable
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
- Ability to work under pressure individually or as part of a team and to adhere to analytical turnaround times and manage conflicting demands.
- Ability to work unsocial hours as a lone worker as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of Health and Safety considerations
- IBMS Accredited BSc (Hons)
- HCPC State Registration
- Specialist Portfolio or equivalent.
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development.
- Understanding of Quality Assurance.
- Understanding of QMS and accreditation standards (ISO 15189)
Experience
Essential
- Experience as a BMS in chemical pathology laboratory
- Understanding of Quality Assurance.
- Participation in out of hours service.
- Participation in the evaluation of new analysers/ analyses.
Desirable
- Instrument maintenance and troubleshooting skills.
- Awareness of wider NHS/Pathology initiatives
Skills
Essential
- Effective team worker
- Sound understanding of H&S legislation and requirements
- Ability to operate, maintain and calibrate complex equipment
- Ability to work accurately at a rate of output appropriate to a diagnostic laboratory
Desirable
- Analyser troubleshooting skills.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to work on own and as part of a team.
- Experience of planning and implementing training of other staff
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Flexible approach
- IT literate
Desirable
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
- Ability to work under pressure individually or as part of a team and to adhere to analytical turnaround times and manage conflicting demands.
- Ability to work unsocial hours as a lone worker as required.
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.
