Biomedical Scientist - Team Lead

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated, experienced Histopathology biomedical scientist to joint our team to cover maternity leave until13th October 2026

Whilst the core hours of the department are 08:30 - 17:00 with an early shift at 07:00, there are flexible working opportunities available.

As this is maternity leave cover you must have recent experience working in the NHS as a biomedical scientist.

Main duties of the job

The role will be within the histology surgical section (embedding and microtomy) and performing quality control, with some trouble shooting once familiar with the section . When leading your role is to ensure the throughput of work to maintain the laboratory turnaround to provide pathologists with tests in a timely manner to support the diagnostic pathway for cancer patients.

Working for our organisation

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 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.

These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Analyses potentially infectious samples using a range of highly specialised laboratory procedures, by either manual or automated techniques, to produce results of a quality consistent with excellent patient care. Undertakes these duties in all areas of the Department.
• Ensures efficient use and maintenance of resources, is aware of stock levels and rotation, storage conditions, batch numbers and expiry dates, thus ensuring the viability of the reagents and/or blood products used.
• Exercises own initiative and works in co-operation with other staff members to ensure that the workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Is fully conversant with departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), ensuring that personal performance complies with United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and other professional standards.
• Carries out troubleshooting and preventative maintenance on highly complex automated systems. Ensures appropriate records are kept and liaises with senior staff and service engineers where appropriate.
• Matches samples with request forms and inputs patient and test information into the laboratory computer system, requiring complete accuracy.

• Exercises individual skills through the observation and interpretation of clinical material or data, which may include therapeutic drug monitoring.
• Completes the work process by the verification and validation of results and report generation. This involves the interpretation of clinical data and requires in-depth theoretical knowledge.
• Recommends additional tests where appropriate to assist the requesting clinician in the diagnostic process.

• Practices in accordance with the professional, ethical and legal codes of the Health Professions Council and the Trust’s protocols and guidelines. Is accountable for own practice and maintenance of Registration status.
• Develops own skills, taking responsibility for Continuing Professional Development and performance.
• Complies with the requirements of internal and external/national quality assurance schemes.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the assessment, planning and prioritisation of tasks.
• Communicates effectively with other staff groups, both internal and external. To include healthcare professionals, patients and their representatives, external agencies, commercial suppliers, service engineers and visitors to the laboratory.
• Provides and receives complex scientific and clinical information to and from colleagues and service users. Is aware of barriers to understanding and is able to present information accordingly.
• Provides and receives sensitive information to and from patients and their representatives where empathic and re-assurance skills are required. May include notification of adverse events.
• Displays and maintains an appropriate level of IT skills.

• Participates in the supervision and training of Trainee BMSs, support staff and clinical staff where required.

• Demonstrates specialist skill and professional knowledge acquired through post -registration academic and scientific development.
• Demonstrates continuing ability to work individually and unsupervised to a level required in the provision of the out of hours service for lone working on “shift” or on call.
• Works to ensure that performance targets and sample turnaround times are met by continually assessing quality and priority of work.
• Has awareness of the requirements of Clinical Governance, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and local Health and Safety Policies, reporting problems, errors or breaches via the appropriate mechanisms.
• Assists in improving and developing departmental quality by challenging and questioning practice, contributing ideas as appropriate and participating in the change management process, in conjunction with senior staff.
• To attend regular appraisal in accordance with the Trust Policy.
• To maintain good work relations with all members of staff and to promote effective team working taking action when own or other’s behaviour undermines equality and diversity.
• To treat everyone associated with the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with courtesy and respect.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• HCPC registration
• IBMS Post graduate diploma in specific discipline or equivalent knowledge
• Evidence of participation in CPD

• Membership of IBMS

Experience and knowledge

• Experience of all the basic techniques within histology
• Experience in an NHS histology laboratory

• Previous team management

Skills and abilities

• Keyboard skills
• Knowledge of laboratory information systems
• Practical and analytical skills associated with diagnostic lab work

• Previous experience with equipment in use at OUH

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to cut a minimum of 25 blocks per hour