Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen in Haematology & Blood Transfusion within the NHS East and South East London Pathology Partnership (ESEL). We are a new organisation, jointly owned by Barts Health NHS Trust, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. Set up as an arms-length organisation, hosted by Barts Health NHS Trust, we have our own board and governance framework, with each of the three trusts having an equal voice and vote in the running of the Pathology Partnership.
One of the largest pathology providers in the NHS, the Pathology Partnership brings together the strengths of teams from each of the three trusts into a single organisation, dedicated to the provision of high quality and cost-effective pathology services.
Blood Transfusion spans an integrated network of 7 hospital laboratories, centred at The Royal London Hospital (RLH); a busy major trauma centre which hosts the London Air Ambulance, and connected to essential service laboratories which support local clinical
specialities at our partnered hospital sites. Including St. Bartholomew Hospital, Whipps Cross Hospital, Newham Hospital, Homerton Hospital, Lewisham Hospital and Queens Elizabeth Hospital. We are seeking a driven, proactive and dynamic team member to join our team as a Band 7
Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist. This role will promote the continuous improvement in service delivery and quality within all areas of Haematology and Transfusion at the Royal London site, whilst also working in collaboration with all sites across the Pathology
Partnership. The successful candidate is expected to work primarily at the Royal London Hospital site - but as the ESEL Pathology Partnership evolves, the primary location of work may be subject to change reflecting service demand. We are looking for a strong team player with a positive attitude to working in a flexible manner, committed to supporting the clinical services of the Trust and meeting the needs of
our patients by participating in an Agenda for Change shift system. The successful candidate MUST be registered with the HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist AND have a MSc. Biomedical Science or IBMS Special Examination (Fellowship). While an MSc is an essential qualification criterion, we will consider candidates who demonstrate exceptional aptitude for the role and are working towards their MSc and are willing to work towards the Band 7 role competencies as a developmental opportunity over a fixed period These candidates will receive sponsorship to attain appropriate postgraduate modules at Greenwich University, which will contribute toward a Biomedical Science
MSc/PGDip/PGCert. On completion and verification of the MSc qualification, at the end of the secondment, the candidate may be eligible for transition to a permanent position, subject to all other criteria, developmental milestones and competencies for the role being met within the timeframes set.
Full conditions will be outlined in the contract of employment.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward thinking and innovative organisation to deliver a high quality service for one of the largest networked laboratories within the NHS.
If you require further information or would like to arrange an informal visit please contact:
Mrs Minal Dave – Haematology and Coagulation Operational Lead
Tel 0203 246 0409
Email –
Main duties of the job
The NHS East and South East London Pathology Partnership (Pathology Partnership) is jointly owned by three Trusts:
Barts Health NHS Trust
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Barts Health is the host trust to the Partnership and all Partnership staff are employed by Barts Health. The Partnership carries out over 38m tests per year, has 860 funded WTE staff and a budget of £121m (June 2025).
The Pathology Partnership is governed through its Strategic Management Board, comprising of an independent Chair, five directors from the Partnership and six executive director representatives from the owner Trusts. Each Trust has a single vote for decision making.
In addition to the Chief Executive and Finance Director, the Partnership has three other directors who are the Clinical Director, Operations Director and Quality and Improvement Director.
The Partnership runs laboratories at:
1. Homerton Hospital
2. Newham Hospital
3. Queen Elizabeth Hospital
4. Royal London Hospital
5. St Bartholomew’s Hospital
6. University Hospital Lewisham
Whipps Cross Hospital
The Partnership is based on a well-established hub and satellite model for pathology networks, with the Royal London Hospital being the main hub laboratory for the network and Essential Service Laboratories (ESL) as a minimum at all other Hospital sites.
The Partnership was set up in May 2021 and has undertaken a complex three year transformation programme to establish the hub and spoke model, underpinned by a single, shared IT system and single, shared Quality Management System. Another Trust may be joining the Partnership in the future.
The Partnership is organised into three Operational divisions:
7. Blood Sciences, including Biochemistry, Blood Transfusion, Clinical Transplantation Haematology, Immunology, POCT and Specimen Reception
Cellular Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics, including Cellular Pathology, Cytogenetics and Molecular Haematology, Immunohistochemistry, non-gynae Cytology, Mortuary Services and Retinoblastoma
Microbiology & Virology
Working for our organisation
The NHS East and South East London Pathology Partnership is an arms-length organisation providing pathology services to Barts Health NHS Trust, Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The Pathology Partnership is hosted by Barts Health.
The Pathology Partnership was formed in May 2021. Between 2021 and 2024 the Partnership undertook a complex transformation programme to establish a single network of laboratories, underpinned by a single Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and single Quality Management System (QMS).
The Partnership has a main hub laboratory at the Royal London Hospital and Essential Service Laboratories (ESL) as a minimum at the six other hospital sites served by the Partnership.
The Partnership has three operational divisions:
·Blood Sciences including Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry
·Microbiology and Virology
·Cellular Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics
The 2024/25 total operating costs across the Partnership were c. £121m per annum with a workforce establishment of circa. 860 WTE.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are underrepresented within the Pathology Partnership and Barts Health at this band
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We are dedicated to being an outstanding place to work and will work with you to get the best experience. We know flexible working is not a one size fits all and will mean something different to everyone. We are inclusive, so if you are interested in flexible working, please speak to the recruiting manager.
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. MSc. Biomedical Science/ relevant discipline/ IBMS Special Examination
2. (Fellowship) Holder of the IBMS Specialist Portfolio or CPSM log book Registration with the Health Care Professions Council
3. Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable criteria
4. Management/ Quality training
5. Other higher specialist qualification in relevant discipline
Experience
Essential criteria
6. HCPC registration in diagnostic Haematology & Blood Transfusion Experience
Desirable criteria
7. Experience of effectively managing staff Experience of teaching staff
Knowledge
Essential criteria
8. Advanced scientific knowledge for relevant discipline Detailed understanding of UKAS, Quality Management Systems
9. Good understanding of Health & Safety Legislation
10. Good understanding of Governance Requirements.
11. Detailed knowledge of MHRA legislation
Desirable criteria
12. Advanced QPulse user BBTS
13. Specialist Certificate in Transfusion science practice
Skills
Essential criteria
14. Competent in quality management techniques.
15. Good verbal and written communication skills, and able to communicate effectively with staff
16. Ability to analyse, interpret and present data/results/concepts
Desirable criteria
17. Basic computer literacy & good keyboard skills Polite, helpful and confident manner
Other
Essential criteria
18. Reliable, responsible person.
19. Able to work as part of a team
20. Able to perform required duties with any appropriate aids or adaptations Respects confidentiality.
21. Hold no reservations in handling human body fluids, tissue, organs, or infected material in accordance with Health & Safety policies.
22. The post holder must be willing to have appropriate vaccinations
Desirable criteria
23. Previous NHS experience.
24. Good interpersonal skills.
25. Adaptable and flexible
**Visa Sponsorship Information**
Recent changes to UK immigration policy on the Health and Care Visa and Skilled Worker Visa could mean that this role is not eligible for sponsorship or that you may not meet the eligibility criteria.
Sponsorship can only be offered if this post and any individual offered employment meet all the Home Office’s requirements under the UK Skilled Worker visa scheme.
If you are applying from outside the UK or will require sponsorship, please mention this clearly in your application.
To be eligible for sponsorship, the following conditions must be met:
26. Eligible role: The position must be on the UK Skilled Worker visa list. You can check your eligibility here: -.
27. Salary threshold: The role must meet the minimum salary set by the Home Office. Please note that for roles employed under Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions, the High-Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) is not included when calculating the basic salary for the purposes of sponsorship.
28. Skill level: The role must meet the minimum skill requirement of RQF Level 6 or above (graduate level).
29. English language: Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR level B1 or higher.
30. Other criteria: Applicants must meet all other criteria as set out by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)