Job vacancy: Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist – Quality Officer, 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton

Job summary

Main area: Biochemistry
Grade: Band 7
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 279-7253753-JUN25

Employer: 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Royal Sussex County Hospital
Town: Brighton
Salary: £46,148 - £52,809 per annum pro rata
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 29/06/2025 23:59

Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist – Quality Officer

Band 7

About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As a Senior BMS the post holder will spend two days assisting in the organisation of all work in the Special Chemistry section, in conjunction with the Senior Lead BMS and other senior staff, ensuring high quality scientific data, produced in a timely manner and the other three days as a Quality officer. This arrangement may change accordingly with increased Quality demands. The post-holder will serve as a departmental lead for quality, providing support, specialist knowledge and scientific/technical expertise on all quality matters to ensure the safe delivery of the clinical diagnostic service and maintenance of UKAS accreditation.

The post-holder will be responsible for the local delivery of the UHSussex Pathology quality management system. This will include facilitating the delivery of specialist training and systematic inspection programmes for all staff grades

The Quality officer will be responsible in helping maintain the quality of the service within Chemistry and Immunology by ensuring the laboratory adheres to Pathology and department procedures to maintain compliance with ISO, regulatory and national requirements. They will assist coordinate and support quality tasks such as audits, preparing monthly quality reports, assisting in investigating and resolving incidents, complaints etc.

They will work closely with other section quality officers across different disciplines/ sites and reports to the Head of Service and Head of Quality & Compliance, Pathology.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria

A minimum of 4 years post Specialist IBMS portfolio or HPC/CPSM logbook and Haematology laboratory experience in an NHS hospital laboratory at Band 6 level or above
Up to date & in-depth knowledge of quality and sub-specialist area within primary discipline.

Desirable criteria

Evidence of understanding quality and the QMS within Pathology and being able to analyse and interpret quality data.
Evidence of being able to perform audits.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential criteria

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [email protected].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [email protected].