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Job summary

Main area
Histology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Occasional out of hours work in accordance to requirement of service delivery)
Job ref
321-CSS-7646583-B7
Employer
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital
Town
Oxford
Salary
£49,387 - £56,515 Per Annum / Pro Rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
24/06/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Senior Biomedical Scientist - Section Head / Deputy Quality Manager

NHS AfC: Band 7

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

 

The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

 

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. 

 

Many of our recruitment programmes use Value Based Interviewing to identify those who have the skills we seek, who share our values and who are able to deliver compassionate excellence from the outset. We know that this makes a significant difference to your job satisfaction and above all the outcomes and experience of our patients and their families. For more information about our Values and Value Based Interviewing please visit www.ouh.nhs.uk/about/vision-and-values


 

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Biomedical Scientist to deputise for the Operational Laboratory Manager and the Governance and Health and Safety Manager. Based in Neuropathology, the post holder will rotate across laboratory services including CNS histopathology and specialist tissues such as muscle and nerve. The role involves working within a complex specialist service and supporting wider Cellular Pathology in line with service needs

 

The Department of Neuropathology and Ocular Pathology     

  • Part of the Cellular Pathology Clinical Service Unit and a UKAS-accredited tertiary diagnostic servic
  • Provides services to OUH clinicians, regional and supra-regional hospitals, and Coroners, with national and international referralsWorks closely with clinical teams to deliver accurate, timely diagnostics supporting patient care
  • Supports education, training, and service development across laboratory and clinical staf

The successful candidate

  • Experience in histology, with neuropathology or quality management experience
  • IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice in Quality Management (to be completed if not held)
  • MSc in a cellular pathology-related subject and IBMS Specialist Diploma required
  • Applications assessed against essential criteria

Interview date

  • Technical and values-based interview on 7 July 2026 

 

Main duties of the job

  • Deputise for the Operational Laboratory Manager as required, ensuring continuity of delivery service and supporting the management of the department
  • Manage the day-to-day operation of a laboratory section, including documentation, quality assurance, audit, improvement activity and incident management, ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards
  • Supervise Biomedical Support Workers, Associate Practitioners, Trainee BMS staff, BMS staff and Specialist BMS staff, and supports training, development and competency assessment
  • Act as deputy to the Cellular Pathology Governance and Health and Safety Manager and is responsible for maintaining the Neuropathology quality management system with the Cellular Pathology Quality Management Team

Working for our organisation

  • Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a large teaching Trust providing general and specialist services alongside education and research
  • Comprises John Radcliffe, Churchill, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Horton General Hospital
  • Delivering Compassionate Excellence through values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence
  • Promotes patient-centred care, strong professional relationships and a safe, inclusive workplace
  • See attached job description and person specification

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Managerial Responsibilities

  • Supervise Biomedical Scientists, trainees, Associate Practitioners and support staff
  • Train staff, assess competency and support development
  • Monitor performance, manage workflow and report issues
  • Plan activity to ensure accurate, timely processing
  • Manage stock, resources and support service delivery and rota 

Scientific, Clinical and Analytical Responsibilities

  • Participate in histology, immunocytochemistry and post-mortem services
  • Perform complex investigations and maintain ISO 15189 and HTA standards
  • Validate results, maintain equipment and process samples accurately
  • Interpret clinical data and assess result validity
  • Identify errors, recommend tests and support diagnosis

 Role Responsibilities

  • Ensure compliance with quality, safety and professional standards
  • Maintain HCPC registration and CPD
  • Communicate effectively and support improvement
  • Attend meetings and training
  • Follow data protection and safety policies
  • Work flexibly in line with service needs

Person specification

Education and qualifications

Essential criteria
  • HCPC registration
  • IBMS Specialist Diploma in Cellular Pathology
  • MSc or equivalent in Cellular Pathology or related subject
  • Evidence of Continuing professional development

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Technical and analytical responsibility within a Cellular Pathology service
  • Management or supervisory experience
  • Mentoring, training, or supporting colleagues
  • Experience of supporting or implementing change

Knowledge and skills

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge and understanding of IT aspects of complex analytical equipment and Laboratory Information Systems
  • Quality Management

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Fair Train work experience quality standard - gold standardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Embracing Equality Diversity InclusionDisability confident employerStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Prince's Trust - Proud to support the Prince's trust - Youth can do itStep into healthArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application numbers

Please note that this job advertisement will close automatically once the application limit is reached, regardless of whether this occurs before the advertised closing date.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Julia Fox
Job title
Neuropathology Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01865 234904
Additional information

Louise Young: In work Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

Julia Fox: In work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

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