Senior Biomedical Scientist

Job overview

We are a UKAS and IBMS accredited department serving multiple laboratory sites of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. We have many clinical specialties and we provide a comprehensive range of Haematology and blood transfusion laboratory services, specialty diagnostic testing and reference work for leukaemia, Haemostasis, thrombosis and haemoglobinopathies predominantly at the Oxford Road Campus. We currently have an exciting opportunity to join our existing team of senior Biomedical Scientists as a Haematology/Transfusion rotational band 7 senior BMS. You will be HCPC registered, have completed a specialist portfolio in haematology and transfusion. You must also have a relevant MSc or Higher Specialist Diploma in Haematology or Transfusion.  You will have considerable relevant experience in Haematology and blood transfusion in order to provide transfusion and Haematology experience, expertise and quality.  There are two band 7 vacancies, one at Oxford Road Campus and one at Wythenshawe however the succesful candidates may be based at any of the MFT laboratory sites and will be contracted to work 24/7 depending on the needs of the service.  In return we will provide a comprehensive induction program, support you in the development of your skills and knowledge as a Senior Biomedical Scientist through mentor-ship and annual appraisal.

Main duties of the job

Supervise Registered BMS, Trainee BMS and Medical Laboratory Assistant grades and co-ordinate the organisation of a departmental section(s) on a day-to-day basis and provide information and progress reports eg, staffing, workload, performance and costing, to Chief BMS at regular intervals. Maintain professional Standards working effectively and in accordance with ISO standards and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Exercising judgement and interpretation to validate and authorise results produced by self and others (including those produced by nonRegistered staff) You will be required to use and maintain manual and automated equipment including ‘troubleshooting’ and basic repair. Collaboration with other Senior BMS staff to monitor and allocate departmental staff and resources to maximum benefit over the 24hr period is essential to the running of the department. You will be responsible for monitoring and reporting staff attendance and sickness and allocating annual leave.  The department requires staff to work shifts that ensure that the continual service needs of the department can be met. To achieve this, you will be contracted to work within a rotational shift pattern which will include shifts throughout the departments 24 hours a day / 7 days per week service. However the expectation is that your normal pattern of work will be Monday to Friday with some weekend cover. There is also an expectation that you will NOT participate in a regular night rota

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Documents to download’ heading.

Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place.  This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others.  You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Documents to download’ heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other. As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children’s and/or adults’ barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment.   If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices.  For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.