About this role
Job summary
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is an internationally recognised centre of excellence, well known for pioneering cancer diagnostics and treatment through innovation, research, and education. Our dedicated scientific and clinical teams play a vital role in delivering high quality services that contribute directly to patient care and to the Trust's research strategy.
We are pleased to invite applications for a motivated and committed Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6) to join our Haematology and Blood Transfusion service based at our Chelsea site. This post offers an excellent opportunity to consolidate specialist knowledge, develop autonomy, and contribute to service improvement within a highly specialised oncology laboratory environment.
As a Band 6 Biomedical Scientist, you will be responsible for providing a safe, efficient and high-quality analytical service across Haematology and Blood Transfusion. You will rotate through all sections of the department and will frequently work independently, including taking sole responsibility for laboratory duties when senior staff are not present.The role includes hands-on analytical work, technical validation of results, blood film morphology, equipment maintenance, quality control, and support of trainee staff.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for carrying out analytical work across the Haematology and Blood Transfusion laboratories. The post holder will rotate through all sections of the department. The key working relationships will be with staff in Haematology, but the post holder will be expected to liaise with staff throughout pathology and the Trust. There will be frequent occasions when the postholder takes sole responsibility for work, for example when no senior is present
About us
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
Job description Job responsibilities
For further information please refer to the job description and personal specification
Working closely with the Haematology and BT seniors, coordinating rotations and training depending individual development, service requirements and user needs.
Sample reception: receipt and checking of samples, liaising with ward staff where there are doubts or errors, assigning High Risk samples to an appropriate containment area and dealing with leaking / damaged samples, centrifugation of specimens when necessary
FBC Analyser preparation: daily startup of analyser, check background counts within limits, run and verify controls, liaise with senior BMS, technical lead or supplier for remedial action if necessary. Monitor analyser continuously throughout the day, running control samples as necessary.
Key Responsibilities
Perform routine and specialist testing across Haematology, Coagulation and Blood Transfusion.
Prepare, operate and monitor analysers, ensuring IQC is within acceptable limits.
Validate and authorise results, comparing with historical data and clinical context.
Examine and interpret blood films, identifying abnormal cellular morphology and escalating complex findings appropriately.
Perform manual procedures including D dimers, sickle testing, and GP6D assays.
Blood Transfusion
Carry out ABO/RhD grouping, antibody screening and identification, DATs and Rh/K phenotyping using automated and manual techniques.
Select, prepare and issue blood components in line with national and local policies.
Manage urgent and complex transfusion requests, including for post stem cell transplant patients, and prioritising workload appropriately.
Support stock control and minimisation of blood product wastage.
Perform administrative tasks such as resulting referral tests, updating transplant records, and sending shared care forms.Quality & Governance
Ensure compliance with SOPs, UKAS ISO 15189 standards, BSH, BSQR and Trust policies.
Perform daily equipment maintenance and troubleshooting whilst also ensuring that documentation is completed accurately.
Perform stock checks and reagent management.
Perform EQAs as required.
Review SOPs and escalate discrepancies or proposed updates to senior staff.
Participate in audits, incident reporting and corrective action processes.Training & Service Development
Support the training and supervision of trainee and junior staff.
Participate in ongoing CPD, appraisal and competency assessments.
Contribute to service improvement initiatives and validation of new equipment or methodologies.
Laboratory Environment & EquipmentOur laboratories operate routine services from 08:00 to midnight, Monday to Friday, and are equipped with:
Sysmex XN3100
Sysmex SP50
Sysmex CS2500
Epic Beaker DHR
BioRad IH 500 (Blood Transfusion)
Haemonetics Safetrace LIMS
Haemonetics BloodTrack
The department maintains full UKAS Accreditation.
About YouWe are seeking candidates who can demonstrate:Essential HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist Degree level qualification (or equivalent) in Biomedical Science Experience working across Haematology and Blood Transfusion Sound understanding of IQC, EQA, quality systems and laboratory health & safety Ability to work independently, manage workload and make technical decisions Strong communication, organisational and team working skillsDesirable Evidence of post registration or specialist study Experience supporting training of junior staff Experience working in an ISO 15189 accredited laboratory
What We Offer A supportive, specialist oncology environment Strong commitment to CPD, training and career development Exposure to complex and varied diagnostic work Opportunities to contribute to service innovation and improvement________________________________________Contact & Further InformationInformal visits are encouraged. Please contact:Paul Wadham 0207 808 2606 [email protected]
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications Desirable
Evidence of post registration study Evidence of training related to specific area or instrument(s)
Education/Qualifications Essential
HCPC Registration Evidence of ongoing professional development Diploma or Degree level study (or equivalent)
Experience Essential
Experience of working in all areas of relevant diagnostic laboratory Able to work to deadlines Able to understand/ follow SOPs Able to technically validate laboratory results Full understanding of EQA & IQC and their implications Full understanding of laboratory H&S procedures General understanding of all aspects of quality management Knowledge and understanding of ISO15189/BSQR standards Able to perform staff training and maintain compliance
Desirable
Experience in introducing new systems/equipment Experience and understanding of UKAS requirements, inspection processes and clearance of findings. Ability to write, perform and analyse audits Able to perform basic training
Skills Abilities/knowledge Essential
Evidence of effective interpersonal skills Evidence of working well in a team Flexible approach to work, can deal with unexpected situations Ability to demonstrate self-motivation Ability to make decisions, organise and prioritise Knowledge and understanding of quality issues Computer Literacy (eg: Microsoft Word, Teams, Excel and Outlook) Able to work unsupervised and to supervise others Good judgement, analytical, perceptive, eye for detail Understanding of relationship between laboratory investigations and clinical practice
Desirable
Actively contributes to laboratory meetings Ability to review anomalous / unexpected findings and take further appropriate action Motivates and effectively manages staff / team
Other Requirements Essential
Flexibility to meet the needs of the service (e.g. support out of hours service)
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Address The Royal Marsden Chelsea
Chelsea
SW3 6JJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)