Specialist Healthcare Scientist (BMS 1) AfC Band 6 or Trainee Biomedical Scientist (Annex 21 of AfC Band 6)
National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national NHS Board operating right at the heart of NHSScotland providing invaluable support and advice at a strategic and operational level. NSS supports customers to deliver their services more efficiently and effectively and we offer shared services on a national scale using best-in-class systems and standards. Our priority is always the same – to improve the health and well‑being of the people of Scotland. We do this by working in partnership with colleagues across Health and Social Care to deliver fit for purpose solutions and systems, delivering high quality services that help our stakeholders to free up resources so they can be re‑invested into essential services.
About the Organisation:
National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national NHS Board operating right at the heart of NHSScotland providing invaluable support and advice at a strategic and operational level. NSS supports customers to deliver their services more efficiently and effectively and we offer shared services on a national scale using best‑in‑class systems and standards. Our priority is always the same – to improve the health and well‑being of the people of Scotland. We do this by working in partnership with colleagues across Health and Social Care to deliver fit for purpose solutions and systems, delivering high quality services that help our stakeholders to free up resources so they can be re‑invested into essential services.
The Post:
This post is within Patient Services Directorate, the Directorate provides clinical, technical, and scientific services and advice. There are four hospital Blood Banks located strategically across NHS Scotland, including services to provide Immunohaematology reference work, Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics in support of donors and transplantation, Clinical Apheresis and delivery of the Transfusion Team programme across Scotland.
The Candidate:
Applications are invited from Specialist Healthcare Scientists registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or holding a degree accredited by IBMS or relevant degree and necessary top‑up modules as required by IBMS, to join the Patient Services team based in the Scottish National Blood Transfusion department in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. This busy department, MHRA and UKAS accredited, provides a blood banking and red cell reference service for hospitals in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Borders and Fife. This post offers the opportunity to gain experience in all aspects of work undertaken in the Integrated Red Cell area, which includes blood banking and red cell investigation sections of the department. The successful applicant will join a team of highly skilled and motivated Specialist Healthcare Scientists working in those sections. A 24/7 shift roster is in operation and the post holder must participate.
Qualifications and Training:
Applicants are required to hold a Specialist Diploma or if you do not have this qualification you will be prepared to complete a Specialist Diploma on appointment. Active participation in CPD and opportunities for further study are both supported and encouraged. You will undergo training as appropriate for the requirements of the position.
NHS Agenda for Change terms and conditions apply to this post based on experience and qualifications.
Compensation:
* Qualified HCPC‑registered Biomedical Scientists will be paid at AfC Band 6
* If eligible for a trainee Biomedical Scientist post, will be paid at Annex 21 of AfC Band 6
Background Check:
The successful candidate will be required to undergo a Disclosure Scotland check. Any candidate who have lived/worked overseas for more than 12 months in the preceding 5 years will also be required to provide a criminal record check from the appropriate overseas agency.
Location and Working Pattern:
Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Monday to Sunday, 37 hours per week – full participation in a 24/7 shift roster.
It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NSS.
Benefits:
Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work‑life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits. HR Benefits Brochure.
Inclusion:
NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national board and, as an anchor institution, it is our ambition to be a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone feels welcome. We recognise that flexible working creates an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and feel confident about their ability to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. This is supported through Once for Scotland flexible working policies. NSS has made a long‑term commitment to staff health and well‑being and offers many learning and development opportunities to support and improve our approaches to diversity, inclusion and mental health in the workplace. There are a number of equality staff networks in place which all staff are welcome to join. We are also an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As an accredited Disability Confident Leader, it is the aim of NSS to offer a fully accessible and inclusive recruitment service that supports applicants on their candidate journey. If you are interested in any reasonable adjustments, please contact the Recruitment Team on NSS.wfrs@nhs.scot.
Further information:
For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Ross Medine, Blood Bank Laboratory Manager on 0131 242 7518 or email Ross.Medine@nhs.scot.
Closing date for completed applications is 2nd January 2026.
Further information on NSS is available from: https://www.nss.nhs.scot/.
Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e‑mail only, so please check your e‑mail regularly (including junk folders).
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