Specialist Healthcare Scientist in Leicester

Specialist Healthcare Scientist

The closing date is 04 August 2026

Post: Specialist Healthcare Scientist (Permanent contract)

Department: Immunology (Specialist Blood Sciences) LRI.

Hours: Full Time (37.5 per week)

Salary: Band 6

Main duties of the job

We are pleased to be offering an exciting opportunity for a full‑time Specialist Biomedical Scientist or clinical scientist to join our Immunology team based at the Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Our regional ISO 15189:2022 accredited Immunology department provides a unique opportunity to experience a comprehensive repertoire of Immunology investigations of routine and specialist immunology assays for the diagnosis and management of autoimmunity, allergy, immunodeficiency and haematological malignancy.

The successful candidate must have extensive Immunology experience along with specialist scientific and technical knowledge of immunological techniques, be a highly self‑motivated individual able to organise and prioritise work with good communication and time‑management skills, gained working in a UK NHS Immunology Laboratory. HCPC registration is required along with completion, or near completion of the post‑registration IBMS Specialist Immunology portfolio or equivalent for Biomedical scientists and a within 3 months completion of an Immunology STP for clinical scientists. Eligible candidates who do not yet have their HCPC registration may be considered under annex 21 conditions, evidence of completed training and a SMART action plan for the remaining training will be required at interview.

Operational hours: Monday to Friday 7.30 – 8.00. Participation in an on‑call weekend rota, Saturday working and bank holiday working required.

About us

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023‑2030).

We have four primary goals:

• High‑quality care for all
• Being a great place to work
• Partnerships for impact
• Research and education excellence

We embed health equality in all we do – taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• We are compassionate
• We are proud
• We are inclusive
• We are one team

Job responsibilities

• Carry out all laboratory analyses associated with the post, including reporting results, maintaining appropriate records and documentation.
• Undertake specialised analytical work in designated areas of the department.
• Participate in the department’s rosters as required.
• Undertake quality control procedures, examine quality control results to identify poor performance and instigate appropriate action.
• Take delegated responsibility for the quality control, operation, routine maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment.
• Maintain standards of laboratory policies and procedures to ensure that the department meets National External Quality Assurance and Accreditation standards.
• Assist with the production, maintenance and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures.
• Give appropriate advice to colleagues and/or clinicians regarding the appropriateness of samples or assays.

Person Specification

Experience

• Demonstrates ability to organise their own work effectively.
• Keyboard skills and computer literacy.
• Able to demonstrate competency in appropriate Pathology laboratory techniques.
• Diagnostic laboratory experience of at least 12 months post State Registration experience for BMSs or completion of the 3 years clinical scientist training programme in Immunology.
• Demonstrates knowledge of advanced techniques.
• Demonstrates a good knowledge of instrumentation.
• Shows an awareness of method development and new technologies.

Planning and organisation skills

• Able to plan own work activities and those of supervised staff.

Analytical and Judgement skills

• Able to make judgements regarding complex facts or situations that require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options – e.g. judgements regarding anomalous results, QA assessments and technical failures.
• Experience of troubleshooting appropriate laboratory instrumentation.

Training and qualifications

• State‑registered BMS (HCPC) with completion of the IBMS Specialist Portfolio (Immunology) or equivalent; knowledge of specialist discipline to postgraduate diploma level or equivalent acquired via short courses and ongoing specialist training OR HCPC‑registered Clinical Scientist in Immunology or within 3 months of completing the STP programme.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuing education and training.
• HCPC approved degree for HCPC registration as a BMS or clinical scientist.
• Demonstrates a knowledge of instrumentation.
• Shows an awareness of method development and new technologies.

Communication and relationship skills

• Good interpersonal and communication skills – concise, effective and clear.
• Demonstrates a range of IT skills.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
• All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high‑quality care and interactions with others.

Other requirements specific to the role

• Able to participate in out‑of‑hours roster and/or other flexible working arrangements.

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust’s Values and Behaviours.

Physical Skills

• Requires highly developed physical skills including accurate eye‑to‑hand coordination.
• Able to maintain prolonged concentration for specific tasks, e.g. microscopy.

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.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust