Senior Biomedical Scientist - Histology [JR117283] @ Circle Health Group

Job summary

Senior Biomedical Scientist

PureLab-UK - London

37.5 Hours & Permanent

Salary: Up to £65,261.00 per year (depending on level of experience, training and qualification)

PureLab-UK in Central London is part of Circle Health Group, Britain's leading provider of independent healthcare with a nationwide network of hospitals & clinics, performing more complex surgery than any other private healthcare provider in the country.

We have an opportunity for a Senior Biomedical Scientist to join their team of staff in the Histology department.

This is a full time role for 37.5 hours a week. The role holder will be required to cover a flexible shift pattern.

This role supports the delivery of high-quality diagnostic services and requires participation in extended working hours, weekends, and Bank Holiday rotas.

Duties of this role include

• Receive, process, analyse and report patient specimens using appropriate scientific techniques and methodologies.
• Perform routine, complex and specialist laboratory investigations within your scope of practice and competence.
• Provide scientific and technical advice to clinicians and healthcare professionals.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory quality standards, ISO 15189 and UKAS requirements.
• Support the training, development and competency assessment of laboratory colleagues.
• Manage and prioritise workloads to meet turnaround times and service standards.
• Ensure the safe handling, preparation, storage and processing of specimens throughout the diagnostic pathway.

Main duties of the job

Applicants should meet the following criteria

• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science, or an equivalent qualification acceptable for HCPC registration.
• Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist.
• Minimum 5 years' experience working in a Histology laboratory.
• Knowledge and practical understanding of laboratory analytical techniques relevant to the discipline.
• Understanding of quality management, Internal Quality Control and External Quality Assessment principles.
• Understanding of ISO 15189 and UKAS requirements within medical laboratories.
• Ability to analyse, validate and authorise laboratory results within an agreed competency framework.
• Ability to recognise abnormal, critical or potentially erroneous results and respond appropriately.
• Experience using laboratory instrumentation and Laboratory Information Management Systems.
• Experience managing training programmes, competency records and CPD activities.
• Extensive practical experience in:- Histological specimen dissection.- Tissue embedding.- Microtomy.- Digital Pathology- Immunohistochemistry (IHC).- Special staining techniques.

The successful candidate will combine advanced specialist histology knowledge with responsibility for leading training, competency assessment, workforce development, and IBMS training programmes within a UKAS ISO 15189 accredited laboratory.

About us

Salary & Benefits

Circle Health Group is committed to offering competitive starting salaries and access to a wide range of employee benefits, including:

• 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days with service
• Private Pension Scheme
• Private Healthcare Scheme for treatment at our hospitals, covering pre-existing medical conditions
• Friends & Family Hospital Discounts
• Family Friendly policies, including enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Adoption pay
• Non-contributory life insurance
• Staff engagement hub with access to discounts and extensive rewards and voluntary benefits
• Access to resources, tools and services to support your wellbeing
• Employee recognition programmes
• Industry leading training and development opportunities

and much more!

Circle Health Group is committed to creating a diverse workforce offering inclusive opportunities for all our colleagues. Our definition of diversity goes beyond the established characteristics protected by the Equality Act, as we strive to attract candidates with diverse experiences, backgrounds, identities or expressions, skills, work styles and more.

Were passionate about creating an environment where our people can thrive, grow and develop professionally and personally. Our principles and values guide our colleagues to be selfless, compassionate, committed, collaborative, brave, agile, tenacious and creative and are at the core of our purpose and culture.

Job description

Job responsibilities

BIOMEDICAL SCIENTIST / SPECIALIST BIOMEDICAL SCIENTIST

WHO ARE WE?

• PureLab-UK, part of Circle Health Group, provides diagnostic laboratory and pathology services to support timely, accurate patient care.
• Circle Health Group is a leading independent healthcare provider in the UK and part of PureHealth's global healthcare ecosystem.
• Our laboratories combine skilled professionals, modern technology and robust quality systems to deliver safe, responsive services.

WHO ARE YOU?

• You are an HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist committed to accurate, timely diagnostic results and patient safety.
• You apply scientific knowledge, professional judgement and technical expertise to analyse, validate and interpret investigations within your competence.
• At Specialist level, you bring advanced discipline-specific expertise and undertake more complex investigations, quality activities and team development.
• You work collaboratively with Pathologists, clinicians and laboratory colleagues, recognising that every specimen represents a patient.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

Diagnostic testing and specialist practice

• Receive, prepare, process, analyse and report specimens using appropriate methods, techniques and equipment within your scope of practice.
• Perform routine investigations and, where trained and competent, complex or specialist tests; assess result validity and clinical significance.
• Validate and authorise results within competency frameworks; investigate unexpected, abnormal, critical or potentially erroneous results and escalate as required.
• Prioritise urgent specimens, maintaining accuracy, precision and appropriate turnaround times.
• At Specialist level, undertake advanced techniques, troubleshoot complex analytical or equipment issues and advise colleagues on specialist matters.
• Contribute to verification and validation of new methods, equipment and technologies, and to the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Clinical communication

• Offer scientific and technical advice to clinicians and healthcare professionals on investigations, specimens and laboratory processes.
• Communicate critical or significant results under agreed procedures; refer enquiries requiring medical interpretation to the appropriate senior colleague.
• Work with Pathologists and multidisciplinary teams to support effective diagnostic pathways and patient management.

Quality, safety and governance

• Follow the laboratory Quality Management System and support ISO 15189 standards and relevant UKAS accreditation requirements.
• Perform and review Internal Quality Control (IQC), participate in External Quality Assessment (EQA), and respond to failures or non-conformities.
• Contribute to audits, inspections, incident investigations, corrective and preventative actions, quality records and continuous improvement.
• Follow HCPC professional standards, organisational policies, confidentiality requirements, UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act and Caldicott Principles.
• Handle biological material, chemicals and reagents safely, complying with COSHH, infection prevention, risk assessments and health and safety procedures.
• Report incidents, hazards and concerns affecting patient safety, practice, quality or service delivery promptly.

Equipment, specimens and information

• Operate laboratory instruments safely; carry out maintenance, calibration, checks and troubleshooting within your responsibilities, documenting faults and actions.
• Ensure accurate specimen identification, handling, storage, retention and disposal; identify unsuitable or compromised samples and act appropriately.
• Support specimen pathways between Circle Health Group hospitals, PureLab-UK and external providers where required.
• Use Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) accurately, maintaining patient, specimen and result data integrity, security and traceability.

Training and service delivery

• Support induction, training, supervision and competency assessment for Medical Laboratory Assistants, trainee Biomedical Scientists and colleagues; at Specialist level, support specialist training programmes.
• Maintain HCPC registration, continuous professional development (CPD), competency records and mandatory training.
• Manage and prioritise workloads to meet service standards, adapting to demand and escalating capacity, staffing, equipment or quality risks.
• Support effective use of consumables, stock management and minimisation of waste.
• Participate in service improvement, automation, digital pathology, system implementation, audit, research or evaluation projects where appropriate.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

Essential Biomedical Scientist

• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science or an equivalent qualification acceptable for HCPC registration, and current HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
• Practical diagnostic laboratory training and competence in relevant analytical methods, instruments and LIMS.
• Understanding of quality management, IQC, EQA, ISO 15189 and UKAS requirements.
• Ability to analyse, validate and authorise results within competency limits; recognise abnormal, critical or unreliable results and act appropriately.
• Strong analytical, numerical, problem-solving and communication skills, attention to detail and ability to prioritise in a busy service.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD and commitment to patient safety.

Additional essential requirements Specialist Biomedical Scientist

• Significant post-registration experience and demonstrable specialist knowledge within the relevant pathology discipline.
• Competence in complex investigations, technical troubleshooting and providing specialist scientific advice with appropriate autonomy.
• Experience supporting supervision, training and competency development, together with knowledge of specialist quality assurance, audit and governance.

Desirable Relevant IBMS Specialist Diploma, postgraduate qualification or equivalent specialist experience; IBMS membership. Experience in a UKAS-accredited ISO 15189 laboratory, with audits, method verification, validation or implementation. Mentoring, assessor or supervisory experience and exposure to new equipment, automation, digital systems, research or service improvement. Experience in independent healthcare or multi-site diagnostic services.

WHAT SORT OF PERSON ARE YOU?

• You are methodical, accurate, analytical and curious, with sound professional judgement and an unwavering focus on patient care.
• You remain calm under pressure, investigate results that do not appear right and take responsibility for decisions within your competence.
• You communicate technical information clearly, solve problems, collaborate across disciplines and support colleagues' development.
• You challenge unsafe practice, embrace evidence-based improvements and maintain high professional standards.
• At Specialist level, you are a trusted source of technical expertise and lead through your knowledge and behaviour.

WHAT ELSE?

• Responsibilities vary by pathology discipline, laboratory section, competence and appointment level.
• You may rotate through appropriate sections, work extended hours or support other PureLab-UK locations according to service needs and training.
• You must maintain HCPC registration, meet mandatory training requirements and comply with clinical governance, safeguarding, confidentiality, infection prevention and accreditation standards.
• The role may evolve as diagnostics, technology and services develop; this description is not exhaustive.

HEALTH, SAFETY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

Maintain awareness of the Health and Safety at Work Act and take appropriate precautions to protect staff, patients, visitors and contractors. Information about identifiable patients and colleagues must only be shared with appropriately authorised people for legitimate purposes. Unauthorised disclosure may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal.

OPPORTUNITIES WITH CIRCLE HEALTH GROUP

Circle Health Group is committed to inclusive opportunities and a diverse workforce. We encourage colleagues to thrive and grow professionally and personally. Our values are selfless, compassionate, committed, collaborative, brave, agile, tenacious and creative.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science, or an equivalent qualification acceptable for HCPC registration.
• Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist.

Desirable

• IBMS Specialist Diploma relevant to the pathology discipline, or equivalent specialist qualification/experience.
• MSc or postgraduate qualification in Biomedical Science or a relevant specialist discipline.

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

Circle Health Group

Address

30 Cannon Street

London

EC4M 6XH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.circlehealth.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)