Biomedical Scientist in Sutton Coldfield

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

Main duties of the job:

• The post holder will be responsible for carrying out analytical work, rotating through all sections of the department.
• Key relationships are with staff in Haematology, while liaising with staff throughout pathology and the Trust.
• The postholder may take sole responsibility for work when no senior is present.

Sample reception and sample checks:

• Receipt and checking of samples against request forms.
• Liaise with ward staff where doubts or errors arise.
• Assign high-risk samples to an appropriate containment area.
• Deal with leaking or damaged samples.
• Centrifuge specimens when necessary.

Data entry:

• Assign sequential numbers to samples and attach bar-code labels.
• Log incoming specimen requests onto the HIS.

FBC analyser preparation and process:

• Daily start-up of analyser, check background counts within limits, run controls, and maintain within limits.
• Monitor analyser continuously throughout the day and run control samples as necessary.

Coagulation analyser preparation and process:

• Daily reconstitution of reagents, run tri-level controls, and check results within limits.
• Monitor analyser continuously throughout the day and run additional control samples as necessary.

Other analyser processes:

• Load specimens into racks, select appropriate tests on analyser software, and start analyser processing.

About the Role:

As a Band 6 Biomedical Scientist, you will provide 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 hands-on 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 on-call 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.

• 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 minimise blood product wastage.

• 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 raise discrepancies or proposed updates to senior staff.
• Participate in audits, incident reporting and corrective action processes.

• 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:

The laboratory operates routine services from 08:00 to midnight, Monday to Friday, and is equipped with the full range of Haematology and Blood Transfusion equipment. The department maintains full UKAS accreditation.

About You:

We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate:

• 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.
• 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:

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

Experience:

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

Skills, Abilities & Knowledge:

• 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 (e.g., Microsoft Word and Outlook).
• Self-confident, contributes to laboratory meetings.

The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential.

Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of Our Staff:

The Royal Marsden expects all patient-facing staff, who have an annual flu vaccination provided free of charge by the Trust, to protect our immune-compromised patient population from seasonal flu. You must have appropriate UK professional registration.