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Job summary

Main area
Biochemistry
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (24/7 shift pattern in operation)
Job ref
279-7735348-FEB26
Employer
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
St Richards Hospital
Town
Chichester
Salary
£38,682 - £46,580 Per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
23/02/2026 23:59

Employer heading

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Band 6

 About our Trust

Candidate Information Pack

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 deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex 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 deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. 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 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. 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.

As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1

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

 

Job overview

The department provides a specialist Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology service to both acute and primary care, and to other trusts within the Sussex area. It is working towards accreditation with UKAS, and is approved by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences as a training laboratory.
We are looking for an enthusiastic HCPC Registered Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join our team and work in the Biochemistry department across Worthing Hospital, St Richards Hospital, Chichester and Southlands Hospital, Shoreham-by-Sea. 
You will be working with the Lead BMS and other Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist in the section and be responsible for the smooth running of the Biochemistry service.
 
We offer a supportive environment, excellent development opportunities, and access to well-equipped labs. Our current platforms include brand new state of the art Abbott Alinity C and Is.
All staff will be expected to participate in the 24/7 shift rota once satisfying competency assessment.
Help shape the future of diagnostics at UHSussex — where innovation, learning, and community thrive.

 

Main duties of the job

  • Required to work across sites
  • Will participate in the 24/7 shift system, including nights, weekends and bank-holidays.
  • Analyses samples according to the departmental Standard Operating Procedures (including the requesting of tests and reporting of results) using highly complex analysers, or performing highly complex techniques and informs senior staff of any proposed changes to SOP’s.
  • Undertakes/oversees planned preventative maintenance on highly complex, expensive and specialised analysers to ensure correct functioning. Records problems and troubleshoots or refers to senior members of staff.
  • Prioritises workload according to national guidelines. Understands the clinical urgency of requests and the impact on patient care (i.e. the 4hr wait in A&E).
  • Performs calibrations on all methods, informs senior staff of any problems.
  • Performs and verifies quality control samples (including checking quality control charts) to ensure accuracy and precision. Carries out corrective action to ensure all analyses are performing within defined parameters. Understands the use of statistical parameters for mean and SD. 
  • Performs external quality assurance analysis on highly specialised analysers
  • Undertakes analytical validation of results produced
  • Checks all samples before processing for status & suitability
  • Interprets results and clinical history to ensure patients receive correct therapy.

Working for our organisation

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. 

Candidate Information Pack

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.

 

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

  • Has an extensive knowledge of the disease process and the clinical relevance and appropriateness of diagnostic tests requested. Therefore understands why certain tests (including the abbreviations and medical terminology) are requested in certain pathological situations.  
  • Communicates with the requesting physician to discuss the suitability of tests requested and discuss the availability of further tests which might contribute to diagnosis/patient management. Also discuss with senior member of staff if appropriate/available.
  • Validates results according to the SOP. Interprets results in conjunction with previous results (delta checks).  Requests further work according to SOP, refers to senior staff upon completion of further work.
  • Handles unsuitable samples for example if taken from drip arm, too old, incorrectly labelled (according to departmental policy), insufficient volume to ensure reliability and validity of sample and will request repeat bloods be taken accordingly.
  • Phones highly complex and potentially sensitive results to clinicians ensuring results are understood and transcribed correctly. Acts on or refers phone calls received to appropriate area of lab.  

Please see JD and PS for full details.

Person specification

IBMS qualified

Essential criteria
  • IBMS qualified

Specialist Portfolio

Essential criteria
  • Specialist portfolio completed
Desirable criteria
  • In progress

2 years NHS lab experience

Essential criteria
  • 2 years NHS lab experience
Desirable criteria
  • 1 year NHS lab experience

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).

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyDisability confident leaderArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardCare Leaver CovenantStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Aidan Wickham
Job title
Senior Lead Biomedical Scientist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01243 788122
Additional information

Use extension x33591

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