Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Biomedical Scientist Haematology
The closing date is 28 June 2026
The Haematology Department is looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic person for the post of Biomedical Scientist.
The role of a Biomedical Scientist within the Haematology & Blood Transfusion department can be highly demanding, contributing to the management of patients during emergency situations. The discipline is a very interesting and rewarding area.
The candidate must be able to work under pressure, multitask, and work well within a team and alone.
The successful candidate will be part of a diverse, friendly and dedicated team focussed on patient care.
The department has sites at both the Worcestershire Royal Hospital and the Alexandra Hospital at Redditch.
The laboratory provides a 24 hour service 7 days a week. The successful candidate will be expected to participate flexibly in a 24/7 shift system (maximum 12 hour shift) following competence assessment.
Previous laboratory experience is essential.
Main duties of the job
To provide analytical testing and reporting of Haematological and Blood Transfusion samples, using a variety of automated and manual techniques, from the Acute Trust and Primary care Trusts.
The post holder will be HCPC registered or be working towards an IBMS Certificate of Competence via the completion of a Registration Portfolio.
Band 5 BMS are expected to complete the IBMS Specialist Diploma as part of their continued development.
Job details
Post Title: Biomedical Scientist
Pay Band: AFC Band 5
Hours: 37.5 hours per week worked within Monday to Sunday. This includes hours worked as part of the out of hours rota.
Contract: Permanent
Location / Department: Haematology and Blood Transfusion (Countywide)
Accountable to: Head of Department (Consultant Haematologist)
Reports to: Laboratory Manager - see organisational structure
Key Working Relationships:
* Internal: Consultant Haematologists and junior medical staff, laboratory manager, quality manager, Biomedical Scientists, Medical Laboratory Assistants, clerical and secretarial staff.
* External: Staff on wards with point of care equipment, Medical and Nursing staff, Porters, staff from other Pathology departments within WAHT, staff from Siemens Health care, ISS, IT department, Finance, HR, payroll, the supplies department and Pathology and Trust management External contractors, representatives, engineers and specialists from companies we deal with. Staff from other laboratories outside the Trust. Staff from the local CCGs, GP surgeries and community areas.
Risk Assessment:
The job entails working with biological material from patients and some contact with hazardous chemicals. Also works with display screen equipment. There will be some manual handling.
Job Purpose: To provide analytical testing and reporting of Haematological and Blood Transfusion samples using a variety of automated and manual techniques to the agreed quality standard.
Job responsibilities
1. Undertaking analysis of Blood samples for routine Haematological and Blood Transfusion, ensuring that all necessary records are generated and kept as per Trust and National Policies.
2. Validation of results of the above tests, and reporting them to the requester, referring only certain categories to a Consultant Haematologist for further review.
3. Monitoring of and acting on Quality Control.
4. Routine analyser maintenance.
5. Training and supervision of Trainee BMS and MLA staff.
6. Ensuring that all requests are dealt with on the sub-section that the post holder is rostered to work on.
7. Ensuring adequate stocks of supplies are maintained at the bench workplace. Inform section leader or above if items need re-ordering.
8. Keep abreast with developments and review/update standard operating procedures.
9. Participate in annual joint review process (Personal Development Review).
10. Attend meetings, courses and seminars where appropriate.
11. Participate in the training and supervision of staff within the department as directed by the Senior BMS.
12. Reception and preparation of samples prior to analysis and where sample quality is below the required standard take the necessary actions to reject or correct problems. Complex problems may be referred to section leaders.
13. Data entry onto Laboratory Computer system.
14. Perform routine (and some specialist) testing of Haematology and Transfusion samples.
15. Validate and authorise release of results for reporting and refer to Senior/Experienced BMS staff when necessary.
16. Ensure results are reported and that urgent or abnormal results are telephoned and/or referred to relevant clinical staff.
17. Ensure that where further testing is indicated by results obtained this is facilitated.
18. Monitor QC samples tested as part of internal and external QC schemes within the section that the post holder is rostered on. Where QC is outside limits, take necessary corrective steps (if able) or refer to section leader.
19. Daily maintenance of analysers and troubleshooting of faults. (More complex problems may be referred to section leader for sorting).
20. Refer samples to centres of excellence for more specialised work where required. Arrange transportation and safe packaging within legislation.
21. Ensure that the appropriate codes of practice for health and safety are operated.
22. Answer telephone enquiries and handle these giving out results when required to authorised personnel.
23. Participate in the laboratory EWTD compliant out of hours rota following Standard Operating Procedures and seeking clinical or technical advice where necessary. This involves the following:
* Be able to work alone without supervision and seeking clinical or technical advice where necessary.
* Be able to take control in any Health and Safety event that may take place out of hours.
* Be able to authorise results as they are available to enable them to be reported electronically to wards and departments.
* Monitor the quality of the service offered at all times.
* Escalate as necessary following departmental escalation procedures.
1. Carry out any other duties deemed necessary to maintain a Haematology/BT Service.
Person Specification
Skills & Knowledge
* Able to demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills.
* Good organisational skills.
* Competent to work as a lone worker.
* Produce accurate and timely work.
Personal Qualities
* Must be able to work as part of a team.
* Confident to work unsupervised.
* Able to work with competing deadlines and manage conflicting demands.
Qualifications
* Approved BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science or equivalent.
* Registration with HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist.
* Evidence of ongoing CPD.
* Trainee positions require individual to be working towards completion of relevant degree or undertaking top up modules.
Experience
* Experience in all aspects of routine Haematology and/or Blood Transfusion.
* Experience of automated equipment and laboratory computer systems.
* Experience of working in an NHS laboratory.
* Experience in training Trainee BMSs and MLAs.
Other Job Requirements
* Must be able to work as part of the 24/7 shift system at all sites following a period of orientation and demonstration of proficiency.
* Must be able to handle biological samples.
* Able to work flexibly.
* Able to undertake manual handling duties using appropriate aids.
* Appropriate handling of confidential information.
* Able to comply with Trust departmental policies and procedures.
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.
Employer name
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
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