Biomedical Scientist Sutton

Detailed Job Description

Senior Biomedical Scientist - Haematology
Band: 6
Location: Sutton
Hours: 37.5 per week

Job summary

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is an internationally recognised centre of excellence, well known for pioneering cancer diagnostics and treatment through innovation, research, and education. Our dedicated scientific and clinical teams play a vital role in delivering high quality services that contribute directly to patient care and to the Trust's research strategy.

We are pleased to invite applications for a motivated and committed Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6) to join our Haematology and Blood Transfusion service based at our Sutton site. This post offers an excellent opportunity to consolidate specialist knowledge, develop autonomy, and contribute to service improvement within a highly specialised oncology laboratory environment.

Contact & Further Information

Informal visits are encouraged. Please contact:
Lorelyn Donato - 0207 661 3134, Lorelyn.Donato@rmh.nhs.uk

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for carrying out analytical work. The post holder will rotate through all sections of the department. The key working relationships will be with staff in Haematology, but the post holder will be expected to liaise with staff throughout pathology and the Trust. There will be frequent occasions when the postholder takes sole responsibility for work, for example when no senior is present.

About us

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Job responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:

Haematology Laboratory

• Sample reception: receipt and checking of samples against request forms, liaising with ward staff where there are doubts or errors, assigning High Risk samples to an appropriate containment area and dealing with leaking / damaged samples, centrifugation of specimens when necessary
• Data entry: assignment of sequential numbers to samples and attaching bar code labels; logging incoming specimen requests onto the HIS
• FBC Analyser preparation: daily start up of analyser, check background counts within limits, run controls, check within limits, liaise with supervisor for remedial action if necessary. Monitor analyser continuously throughout the day, running control samples as necessary.
• Coagulation Analyser preparation: daily reconstitution of reagents, run tri-level controls, check results within limits, liaising with supervisor for remedial action if necessary. Monitor analyser continuously throughout the day, running additional control samples as necessary.
• Analyser processes: Loading specimens into racks, selecting appropriate tests on analyser software and starting analyser processing

About the Role

As a Band 6 Biomedical Scientist, you will be responsible for providing a safe, efficient and high-quality analytical service across Haematology and Blood Transfusion. You will rotate through all sections of the department and will frequently work independently, including taking sole responsibility for laboratory duties when senior staff are not present.

The role includes handson analytical work, technical validation of results, blood film morphology, equipment maintenance, quality control, and support of trainee staff. Following appropriate training, you will be expected to participate in the oncall rota, working alone and unsupervised to deliver a full investigative service.

Key Responsibilities

Technical & Analytical

• Perform routine and specialist testing across Haematology, Coagulation and Blood Transfusion.
• Prepare, operate and monitor analysers, ensuring IQC is within acceptable limits.
• Validate and authorise results, comparing with historical data and clinical context.
• Examine and interpret blood films, identifying abnormal cellular morphology and escalating complex findings appropriately.
• Perform manual procedures including D dimers, sickle testing and antibody investigations.

Blood Transfusion

• Carry out ABO/RhD grouping, antibody screening and identification, DATs and phenotyping.
• Select, prepare and issue blood components in line with national and local policies.
• Manage urgent and complex transfusion requests, prioritising workload appropriately.
• Support stock control and minimisation of blood product wastage.

Quality & Governance

• Ensure compliance with SOPs, UKAS ISO 15189 standards, MHRA and Trust policies.
• Perform daily equipment maintenance and ensure documentation is completed accurately.
• Review SOPs and elevate discrepancies or proposed updates to senior staff.
• Participate in audits, incident reporting and corrective action processes.

Training & Service Development

• Support the training and supervision of trainee and junior staff.
• Participate in ongoing CPD, appraisal and competency assessments.
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives and validation of new equipment or methodologies.

Laboratory Environment & Equipment

Our laboratories operate routine services from 08:00 to midnight, Monday to Friday, and are equipped with:

• Sysmex XN3100
• CS2500
• Epic Beaker DHR
• BioRad IH 500 (Blood Transfusion)
• Haemonetics Safetrace LIMS

The department maintains full UKAS Accreditation.

About You

We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate:

Essential

• HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist
• Degree level qualification (or equivalent) in Biomedical Science
• Experience working across Haematology and Blood Transfusion
• Sound understanding of IQC, EQA, quality systems and laboratory health & safety
• Ability to work independently, manage workload and make technical decisions
• Strong communication, organisational and team working skills

Desirable

• Evidence of post registration or specialist study
• Experience supporting training of junior staff
• Experience working in an ISO 15189 accredited laboratory

What We Offer

• A supportive, specialist oncology environment
• Strong commitment to CPD, training and career development
• Exposure to complex and varied diagnostic work
• Opportunities to contribute to service innovation and improvement

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC Registration
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Diploma or Degree level study (or equivalent)

Desirable

• Evidence of post registration study

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in all areas of relevant diagnostic laboratory
• Able to understand / follow SOPs
• Able to technically validate laboratory results
• Full understanding of EQA & IQC and their implications
• Full understanding of laboratory H&S procedures

Desirable

• Able to perform basic training

Skills Abilities/knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of effective interpersonal skills
• Evidence of working well in a team and independently
• Ability to perform complex scientific calculations and data analysis
• Computer Literacy (eg: Microsoft Word and Outlook)
• Good judgement, analytical, perceptive, eye for detail

Desirable

• Self-confident, contributes to laboratory meetings

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.