Job summary
- Main area
- Cervical Screening
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 297-8322463
- Employer
- Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead
- Town
- Gateshead
- Salary
- £32,073 - £48,117 Per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 21/10/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Andrology Band 6
NHS AfC: Band 6
In the event of excessive applications being received this vacancy may close earlier than the stated closing date, you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible
IMPORTANT NOTE ON COMPLETION OF REFERENCE SECTION OF APPLICATION FORM
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and MUST cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Where possible this should be from two separate employers. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
PLEASE NOTE it is a requirement of this Trust that all successful applicants pay for their DBS certificate if a check is required for the post. This will be done through deduction from your monthly pay over a maximum of three months. It is also a requirement that all successful applicants register or are registered with the DBS update service where a DBS is required.
All new entrants to the NHS will be appointed on the minimum of the pay scale in line with Terms & Conditions.
Job overview
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust provide UKAS accredited Andrology services across the South of Tyne and Wear area. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Specialist Biomedical Scientist either Band 5 or 6 depending on qualifications and experience to support the Andrology Department within the NEY Cervical Screening Department.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates with experienced in performing semen analysis to WHO Laboratory Manual for Examination and Processing of Human Semen 6th edition guidelines.
Main duties of the job
As part of the team the post holder will have developed knowledge, experience and competency in specialised Andrology techniques and must have Health Professions Council (HPC) State Registration. Registration enables the post-holder to work unsupervised.
A primary role of the post is performing and reporting semen analyses for fertility investigations and post vasectomy testing. You will authorise semen analysis reports and ensure timely distribution of these reports to local GPS, hospital clinics and other local healthcare providers. You will also provide specialist advice to clinical users of the service regarding test requirements, appropriateness and expected turnaround times.
Working for our organisation
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.
Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.
We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.
Our values should be the ‘golden thread’ which runs through everything we do – they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.
We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women’s Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.
The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our ‘Balance’ programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
A primary role of the post is performing and reporting semen analyses for fertility investigations and post vasectomy testing. You will authorise semen analysis reports and ensure timely distribution of these reports to local GPS, hospital clinics and other local healthcare providers. You will also provide specialist advice to clinical users of the service regarding test requirements, appropriateness and expected turnaround times.
See attached job description
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- BSc in Biomedical Sciences, Registration Portfolio or equivalent or working towards
- HCPC Professional Registration
Desirable criteria
- IBMS Andrology Specialist Portfolio
- ABA or ARCS Competency Portfolio
- Postgraduate Diploma.
- Working towards MSc or equivalent.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Three years post-registration specialist training.
- Current Specialist Biomedical Scientist experience in Andrology laboratory practice.
- Competent and experienced in performing semen analysis to WHO Laboratory Manual for Examination and Processing of Human Semen 6th edition guidelines.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of a range of laboratory techniques. Experience in discipline specific processes.
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to communicate complex information to clinicians, staff and others
- Ability to supervise and train others. Able to use equipment and resources appropriately and cost effectively.
- Excellent hand-eye coordination and accuracy.
- Ability to use laboratory equipment and resources effectively.
Desirable criteria
- Comprehension of the significance of clinical governance, clinical audit and achieving quality targets.
- Delegation skills
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Specialist cervical screening knowledge to postgraduate diploma level or equivalent.
- Laboratory Health and Safety
- Good understanding of the importance of Internal Quality Control, External Quality Assurance Schemes
- Knowledge of the HFEA and it’s Code of Practice and how this relates to a diagnostic andrology laboratory
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of Clinical Pathology Accreditation Inspections, Quality Management Systems and Audit
- Statistical Analysis
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
- Composed and professional disposition.
- Team-member
- Support peoples equality, diversity and human rights.
- Ability to adapt quickly and efficiently
Desirable criteria
- Demonstrated personal development
- Team leading/management skills
Special Requirements
Essential criteria
- Computer literate – capable of utilising complex proprietary information systems and generic software
- Flexibility in working pattern in line with changing service requirements
Desirable criteria
- European Computer Driving Licence
- Driving licence
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Trudy Johnson
- Job title
- NEY Cervical Screening Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0191 445 6560
List jobs with Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust in Health Science Services or all sectors