About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a motivated and experienced Advanced Biomedical Scientist to join the Cellular Pathology Department at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
This senior BMS role sits within a busy, highly specialised diagnostic service and involves shared leadership of the main laboratory section. Responsibilities span the histology pathway from embedding through to H&E quality control and case sendout, ensuring the smooth delivery of diagnostic specimens throughout the laboratory process. Working closely with a second Advanced Biomedical Scientist, you will coordinate laboratory operations, lead staff within the section, manage workflow and resources, and ensure the delivery of a high-quality diagnostic service that supports safe and timely patient care. The postholder will also have shared responsibility for the management and operation of the department's training laboratory for embedding and microtomy, supporting the development of trainee staff and contributing to the department's education and workforce development agenda.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will join an established senior team comprising five other Advanced Biomedical Scientists, with leadership responsibilities across the main laboratory, reception and dissection, further work, and molecular diagnostics.
The team is further supported by dedicated full-time Training and Quality Managers, reflecting the department's strong commitment to professional development, quality management, and continuous service improvement.
The post is primarily based at St James's University Hospital, Leeds, and plays an important role within the Trust's wider Pathology service.
The successful applicant will be an enthusiastic, organised, and collaborative individual with extensive experience in Cellular Pathology. You will be confident in leading teams, managing competing priorities, and working both autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary service. A strong commitment to quality, continuous service improvement, and professional standards is essential.
The department operates a six-day service between 7:30am and 7:30pm, with both standard and extended-day shift patterns. The successful applicant will be required to work 2 in 4 Saturdays as part of the established rota.
Applicants who have applied for this post within the previous three months need not apply.
About us The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to delivering the highest quality and safest treatment and care to every patient, every time.
Our vision is to provide the highest quality specialist and integrated care.
We will do this through delivery of our multi-year goals and strategic priorities, which you can read about on this page.
Central to it all is The Leeds Way our values and behaviours that are at the heart of everything we do.
Job description Job responsibilities Why you should join our Team
The Cellular Pathology Department at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is a forwardthinking, innovative and continually improving service. We were the first laboratory in the UK to digitally scan 100% of surgical slides and also introduced the UK’s first automated tissue sectioners. We are a regional Cellular Pathology Genomics Centre and a pilot site for the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad, supported by dedicated Transformation and Pathology Technology & Innovation Leads.
As a large teaching hospital, we offer a supportive and collaborative working environment with a strong emphasis on training, development and progression for staff at all levels. The department processes a wide range of specialist work and provides Histopathology, NonGynae Cytology, Andrology, Muscle, Nerve, Immunohistochemistry, Molecular and Mortuary services. There are excellent opportunities to contribute to innovation, quality improvement and service development while working alongside experienced and committed colleagues.
We have UKAS accreditation to ISO15189:2022 standards.
What you will bring to the role · HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist with extensive postregistration experience in Cellular Pathology
· A relevant MSc, Higher Specialist Diploma or equivalent Level 7 qualification (or equivalent Level 7 experience)
· Experience of leading and coordinating technical activities within a specialist laboratory section
· Ability to undertake highly specialist clinical technical investigations requiring complex analysis and interpretation
· Experience of validating and authorising technical work to professional and regulatory standards
· Commitment to staff training, development and competency assessment
· Experience of contributing to quality activities such as UKAS accreditation, audit, EQA, validation and risk management
· Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex or sensitive information effectively
· Ability to deputise for senior staff and contribute to departmental management activities
· A proactive approach to service improvement and maintaining high standards of patient care
Please see the attached job description for further information about this vacancy.
About Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:
Kind
Open and Honest
Responsible
One Team
All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values
We’re committed to recruiting exceptional people to deliver outstanding services across Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and helping every colleague reach their full potential. We’re looking for a compassionate, inclusive, and collaborative leader who shares our values and can build strong partnerships. We warmly invite applications from people from a variety of backgrounds and sectors, and are especially keen to hear from individuals from a minority ethnic background. We’re dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and has a true sense of belonging, as we work together to deliver the best in healthcare to the people of Leeds and beyond.
Sponsorship Eligibility To comply with UK Government regulations on Skilled Worker sponsorship, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust is unable to provide sponsorship to applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria or the salary threshold concessions set out under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please take this into consideration before submitting your application. Full guidance on these concessions, including details of who may qualify, can be found here.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
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Desirable
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Experience Essential
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Desirable
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Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Address St James’s University Hospital
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS9 7TF
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)