Trainee Biomedical Scientist

Job Summary

NHS Blood & Transplant is an integral part of the NHS, collecting and processing 2 million blood donations a year. Our Healthcare Scientists provide crucial support to NHS Hospitals, processing, testing and issuing blood and its components and delivering diagnostic and therapeutic services relating to the transfusion of blood and stem cells, transplantation and tissue banking.

Our Red Cell Immunohaematology department provides reference and blood provision services to regional hospitals using advanced red cell serology. Our work includes the investigation of immune haemolytic disorders, the resolution of blood group anomalies, complex red cell antibody problems and the provision of blood for specific patients. We also provide routine testing and assessment of antibody levels in antenatal samples and undertake routine antenatal screening.

You will work as a trainee carrying out clinical technical duties under the supervision of a Health Professions Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical Scientist. The post holder will gain the education, training and experience necessary for HPC Registration by undertaking duties commensurate with their current level of training requirements and receiving regular professional competence appraisals by NHSBT Trainers and Managers.

For a Trainee BMS’s salary please see the attached additional information document (Benefits document).

Main duties of the job

In this role you will work towards becoming a registered Biomedical Scientist by carrying out clinical technical duties under the supervision of a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical Scientist.

You will gain the education, training and experience necessary for HCPC registration and be required to:

• Handle blood and tissue samples and operate a range of laboratory analysers and equipment.
• Perform, analyse, record and interpret a wide range of laboratory investigations and technical procedures relating to the issue of patient test results for organ transplant and blood transfusion and the issue of blood and tissue products, with the support of the team.
• Provide cover in times of operational difficulty, with reasonable notice.

Please note that the training route to HCPC registration is dependent on knowledge and skills on entry to the post.

You will be required to work up to 15 days over weekends and bank holidays per year as rostered, with reasonable notice and be able to participate in the extended working day for the department.

You will be required to participate in the departments on-call rota.

About You

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience in the use of laboratory equipment and techniques.
• Experience of working with information technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), or equivalent Systems.

Qualifications and Training

• Undergraduate or degree in Biomedical Science, or equivalent, accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) OR
• BSc honours degree, or equivalent, in a biomedical or other related science, with evidence from the IBMS or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) outlining a route to achieving HCPC registration.
• Willingness to undertake further training and development.

Please view the attached recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification for the full personal attributes we require for the role. You will need to demonstrate these throughout the recruitment process.

About Us

At NHS Blood and Transplant, we’re incredibly proud of the many talented people who come together every day to make our organisation the very best it can be. We have clearly defined values that are centred around offering exceptional care to our donors and their families. We take care of each other too and we focus on building our expertise so we can change lives, provide quality support and offer fulfilling careers.

It’s an opportunity to contribute to a unique team as part of a service that saves lives 365 days a year. We offer brilliant benefits including 27 days of holiday (plus bank holidays), a comprehensive induction and training programme, and competitive pension scheme.

We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with and positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality.

Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.

This vacancy will close at 23:59 on Monday 1st May 2023.

Interviews are anticipated to be held on the 24th and 25th May 2023 – subject to confirmation.

For informal enquiries please contact: Doris Lam – Head of Lab via email at doris.lam@nhsbt.nhs.uk