Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic person to join the flow cytometry team at the Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (HMDS), St James Hospital, Leeds with a focus on haemato-oncology molecular work. This is an opportunity to become part of a highly successful department with extensive facilities and high levels of scientific expertise.
The post holders will work alongside laboratory based Biomedical Scientists, other advanced Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Scientists and Consultant Haematologist/Haematopathologists to maintain and develop the service.
Expected Shortlisting Date
16/03/2026
Planned Interview Date
23/03/2026
Main duties of the job
The purpose of this role is to contribute to the delivery of a high-quality diagnostic service. The successful candidate will be expected to perform a range of routine and more complex investigations some of which may be under the supervision of more experienced biomedical scientists. Within the team you may be required to organise the tasks of support workers. You will be required to communicate information, often related to patient management and care, to colleagues, healthcare staff and other organizations.
Applicants should have an IBMS accredited Bsc (Hons) in biomedical sciences or equivalent and be state registered or very close to completing a registration portfolio. Previous experience in a flow cytometry laboratory and/or experience of laboratory haematology will be advantageous
About us
HMDS provides a specialist service for the diagnosis of leukaemia and lymphoma for a number of patients in North, West and East Yorkshire together with patients from outside the region and those enrolled on national clinical trials. The laboratory is UKAS ISO 15189:2012 accredited and is one of the largest of its type in the United Kingdom with a high throughput of specimens including lymph nodes, bone marrow trephine biopsies and tissue biopsies together with peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirates. These specimens are investigated by a wide range of techniques, including flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, fluorescent in situ hybridisation and molecular biology. The laboratory is also very active in research and delivers central laboratory services for many national and international clinical trials. This post provides the opportunity to join this successful team at the forefront of diagnostic services.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.
Details
Date posted
24 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
£31,049 to £37,796 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
C9298-ONC-0622
Job locations
St. James's University Hospital
Beckett Street
Leeds
LS9 7TF
Job description
Job responsibilities
. JOB PURPOSE
To undertake routine and more complex clinical technical investigations, some of which may be under supervision.
To communicate complex and sensitive information to colleagues and other healthcare staff
. JOB DIMENSIONS
As a biomedical scientist you will work towards becoming a fully competent member of the departmental team. As part of the team, you will be expected to perform a range of routine and more complex investigations some of which may be under the supervision of more experienced biomedical scientists. Working in different sections of the department you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute towards the provision of an accurate and timely service for patients. You will be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills to technically complex and sometimes difficult situations, and how to work, often under pressure, either independently or as part of the team. Within the team you may be required to organize the tasks of support workers. You will be required to communicate information, often related to patient management and care, to colleagues, healthcare staff and other organizations.
. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
In order to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will have successfully studied for an accredited degree in biomedical sciences, or other equivalent qualification acceptable to the Health Care Professions Council and the Institute of Biomedical Science. You will develop your competencies and further your knowledge in all aspects of the speciality through practical experience, in house training and structured study subject to the requirements of continuous professional development (CPD). In addition, basic computer skills are essential to carry out your work.
. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES
Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:
Patient-centred
Collaborative
Fair
Accountable
Empowered
All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values
Additionally the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:
As a healthcare worker dealing with sensitive (patient related) information the importance and value of personal honesty and integrity as a commitment to patient service and confidentiality will be recognised. You will maintain registration with the Health Professions Council as a biomedical scientist and abide by the HCPC standards of proficiency, assuring the quality of your work for patients. In contributing to the quality of a technical clinical service you will understand the requirement to continuously develop appropriate skills and accumulate relevant knowledge whether by formal or in- house training.
. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
In order to work effectively in the role, the job holder must be able to demonstrate a number of attributes. These abilities will include:
- to gain new knowledge through experience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes
- to become an integral member of a team providing a clinical technical service
- to work independently when and as directed by supervisors
- to communicate clearly and effectively whether orally, graphically or electronically
- to plan the designated workload and assist in the organization of tasks undertaken by support workers
- to work with precision and follow accurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures
- to operate highly complex laboratory equipment safely and efficiently
- to input and extract patient data from the laboratory computer system
- to interpret, validate and authorize the results of the section
- to demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate
- to contribute actively towards the improvement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions with other team members
- to remain competent in established procedures and to develop new skills as experience is accrued.
- to participate actively in the departmental appraisal scheme
- to take account of changes in service delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work
. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
As the job holder you will acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to:
- Carry out a range of basic and more complex technical procedures. This will include instruction in the safe and effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. The level of knowledge and understanding achieved will be consistent with that to allow you to recognise system failures and errors. You will understand the need to report adverse events in the event of errors and failures.
- Participate actively in departmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level of knowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels of quality have not been met.
- Participate in the maintenance of a safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards associated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitable actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards include fire, manual handling, and breaches of security, controlled and uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.
- Maintain patient confidentiality. You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information that is related to patient care.
- Observe the requirements of departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample labelling and adverse event reporting.
. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
- To maintain registered status as a biomedical scientist with the Health Care Professions Council
- To perform, sometimes under supervision, appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that are consistent with the job holders levels of knowledge, skills and experience.
- To develop competence in all sections of the department and to perform tasks accurately and in accordance with departmental standard operating procedures.
- To enter, manage and retrieve patient information using the laboratory computer system.
- To communicate accurately sensitive and complex information to users of the service in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures
- To demonstrate relevant job related tasks to new or more junior staff
- To actively participate in the laboratory quality assurance programme
- To participate in laboratory audit processes and support appropriate clinical trials involving the laboratory
- To contribute to general departmental management, for instance, by assisting in the ordering, receipt and control of consumables
This list is not exhaustive and the changing needs of the service from time to time may require the development of other appropriate tasks and skills. These will be fully discussed with the post holder in advance of their implementation.
Tasks that are typically expected of the job holder: These differ between specialities within pathology
Administrative tasks include:
Entering patient demographic information and the tests requested onto the laboratory computer system. This information must be entered quickly and accurately so that rapid turnaround times can be maintained.
Accepting and signing for deliveries of stock and consumables. This requires checking deliveries against delivery notes to ensure orders have been met
Reporting adverse events according to Trust risk management procedures
Technical tasks involved during processing of pathology samples include:
Assessing suitability and urgency of pathology samples. Assigning relevant tests and investigations.
Monitoring the performance of highly complex laboratory equipment such as automated analysers and performing basic repairs in the event of malfunction. This may include IT equipment
Prioritising, performing and interpreting clinical technical investigations according to standard operating procedures. These samples may be high risk (e.g. from patients with HIV, TB, hepatitis) or require chain of evidence (e.g. for legal purposes). Authorizing the results of investigations. Examples of this work are:
- Blood grouping and cross matching
- Antibody identification
- Microscopy including fluorescent and electron microscopy
- Operating highly complex analytical equipment
- Identifying micro-organisms and assessing their antibiotic susceptibility
- Epidemiological investigations such as air sampling in operating theatres and outbreak investigations
- Molecular techniques (e.g. polymerase chain reaction)
Communication tasks include:
Issuing written, electronic or verbal reports to clinicians and other practitioners. Some of these results relate to highly sensitive patient related information such as HIV and sexually transmitted diseases
Providing technical clinical advice to clinicians and other practitioners. This advice will include information relating to, for example, test selection, sample quality, and sample timing.
Providing service related information to patients
The Pathology Department of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is located on several sites.
Job description
Job responsibilities
. JOB PURPOSE
To undertake routine and more complex clinical technical investigations, some of which may be under supervision.
To communicate complex and sensitive information to colleagues and other healthcare staff
. JOB DIMENSIONS
As a biomedical scientist you will work towards becoming a fully competent member of the departmental team. As part of the team, you will be expected to perform a range of routine and more complex investigations some of which may be under the supervision of more experienced biomedical scientists. Working in different sections of the department you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute towards the provision of an accurate and timely service for patients. You will be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills to technically complex and sometimes difficult situations, and how to work, often under pressure, either independently or as part of the team. Within the team you may be required to organize the tasks of support workers. You will be required to communicate information, often related to patient management and care, to colleagues, healthcare staff and other organizations.
. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
In order to carry out the job sufficiently and effectively you will have successfully studied for an accredited degree in biomedical sciences, or other equivalent qualification acceptable to the Health Care Professions Council and the Institute of Biomedical Science. You will develop your competencies and further your knowledge in all aspects of the speciality through practical experience, in house training and structured study subject to the requirements of continuous professional development (CPD). In addition, basic computer skills are essential to carry out your work.
. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES
Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:
Patient-centred
Collaborative
Fair
Accountable
Empowered
All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values
Additionally the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:
As a healthcare worker dealing with sensitive (patient related) information the importance and value of personal honesty and integrity as a commitment to patient service and confidentiality will be recognised. You will maintain registration with the Health Professions Council as a biomedical scientist and abide by the HCPC standards of proficiency, assuring the quality of your work for patients. In contributing to the quality of a technical clinical service you will understand the requirement to continuously develop appropriate skills and accumulate relevant knowledge whether by formal or in- house training.
. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
In order to work effectively in the role, the job holder must be able to demonstrate a number of attributes. These abilities will include:
- to gain new knowledge through experience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes
- to become an integral member of a team providing a clinical technical service
- to work independently when and as directed by supervisors
- to communicate clearly and effectively whether orally, graphically or electronically
- to plan the designated workload and assist in the organization of tasks undertaken by support workers
- to work with precision and follow accurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures
- to operate highly complex laboratory equipment safely and efficiently
- to input and extract patient data from the laboratory computer system
- to interpret, validate and authorize the results of the section
- to demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate
- to contribute actively towards the improvement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions with other team members
- to remain competent in established procedures and to develop new skills as experience is accrued.
- to participate actively in the departmental appraisal scheme
- to take account of changes in service delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work
. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
As the job holder you will acquire sufficient knowledge and understanding to:
- Carry out a range of basic and more complex technical procedures. This will include instruction in the safe and effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. The level of knowledge and understanding achieved will be consistent with that to allow you to recognise system failures and errors. You will understand the need to report adverse events in the event of errors and failures.
- Participate actively in departmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level of knowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels of quality have not been met.
- Participate in the maintenance of a safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards associated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitable actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards include fire, manual handling, and breaches of security, controlled and uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.
- Maintain patient confidentiality. You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information that is related to patient care.
- Observe the requirements of departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample labelling and adverse event reporting.
. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
- To maintain registered status as a biomedical scientist with the Health Care Professions Council
- To perform, sometimes under supervision, appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that are consistent with the job holders levels of knowledge, skills and experience.
- To develop competence in all sections of the department and to perform tasks accurately and in accordance with departmental standard operating procedures.
- To enter, manage and retrieve patient information using the laboratory computer system.
- To communicate accurately sensitive and complex information to users of the service in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures
- To demonstrate relevant job related tasks to new or more junior staff
- To actively participate in the laboratory quality assurance programme
- To participate in laboratory audit processes and support appropriate clinical trials involving the laboratory
- To contribute to general departmental management, for instance, by assisting in the ordering, receipt and control of consumables
This list is not exhaustive and the changing needs of the service from time to time may require the development of other appropriate tasks and skills. These will be fully discussed with the post holder in advance of their implementation.
Tasks that are typically expected of the job holder: These differ between specialities within pathology
Administrative tasks include:
Entering patient demographic information and the tests requested onto the laboratory computer system. This information must be entered quickly and accurately so that rapid turnaround times can be maintained.
Accepting and signing for deliveries of stock and consumables. This requires checking deliveries against delivery notes to ensure orders have been met
Reporting adverse events according to Trust risk management procedures
Technical tasks involved during processing of pathology samples include:
Assessing suitability and urgency of pathology samples. Assigning relevant tests and investigations.
Monitoring the performance of highly complex laboratory equipment such as automated analysers and performing basic repairs in the event of malfunction. This may include IT equipment
Prioritising, performing and interpreting clinical technical investigations according to standard operating procedures. These samples may be high risk (e.g. from patients with HIV, TB, hepatitis) or require chain of evidence (e.g. for legal purposes). Authorizing the results of investigations. Examples of this work are:
- Blood grouping and cross matching
- Antibody identification
- Microscopy including fluorescent and electron microscopy
- Operating highly complex analytical equipment
- Identifying micro-organisms and assessing their antibiotic susceptibility
- Epidemiological investigations such as air sampling in operating theatres and outbreak investigations
- Molecular techniques (e.g. polymerase chain reaction)
Communication tasks include:
Issuing written, electronic or verbal reports to clinicians and other practitioners. Some of these results relate to highly sensitive patient related information such as HIV and sexually transmitted diseases
Providing technical clinical advice to clinicians and other practitioners. This advice will include information relating to, for example, test selection, sample quality, and sample timing.
Providing service related information to patients
The Pathology Department of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is located on several sites.
Person Specification
Skills & behaviours
Essential
* Able to work in a team
* Able to work independently
* Flexible approach to work
* Good communicator
* Friendly attitude
* Dexterity
* Good hand / eye coordination
* Basic computer skills
Desirable
* Physically able to move around and between sites
* Physically able to assist in movement of moderate loads
Qualifications
Essential
* Degree (or equivalent) suitable for HCPC registration
* Registered biomedical scientist
Experience
Essential
* Participation in relevant CPD schemes
* Willingness to undertake other formal study and in house training Competence in a range of complex laboratory procedures
* Developing knowledge within speciality
* Developing experience within the department
Desirable
* Knowledge of conventional IT software e.g. Microsoft Office
* Previous experience of working in a laboratory
Person Specification
Skills & behaviours
Essential
* Able to work in a team
* Able to work independently
* Flexible approach to work
* Good communicator
* Friendly attitude
* Dexterity
* Good hand / eye coordination
* Basic computer skills
Desirable
* Physically able to move around and between sites
* Physically able to assist in movement of moderate loads
Qualifications
Essential
* Degree (or equivalent) suitable for HCPC registration
* Registered biomedical scientist
Experience
Essential
* Participation in relevant CPD schemes
* Willingness to undertake other formal study and in house training Competence in a range of complex laboratory procedures
* Developing knowledge within speciality
* Developing experience within the department
Desirable
* Knowledge of conventional IT software e.g. Microsoft Office
* Previous experience of working in a laboratory
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 (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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 (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Address
St. James's University Hospital
Beckett Street
Leeds
LS9 7TF
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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Employer details
Employer name
Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Address
St. James's University Hospital
Beckett Street
Leeds
LS9 7TF
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
-----------------------------------