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Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

About
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides a full range of acute clinical services for a catchment area of up over 1 million people. Our vision is “to provide every patient with the care we want for those we love the most”, reflecting the utmost importance that we attach to the quality of care and experience that each and every one of our patients receives.
We provide specialist services in radiotherapy, neonatalogy, paediatrics, orthopaedics, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, rheumatology, medicine and surgery. Every year our 7,000 staff treat people from Norfolk, neighbouring counties and further afield. Our patients are referred to us by around 100 local GP surgeries and other acute hospitals and primary care Trusts around the country. We are involved in the teaching and training of a wide range of health professionals, in partnership with the University of East Anglia and other local education providers.
Contact
- Address
- 20 Rouen road
- Norwich
- Norfolk
- NR1 1QQ
- Contact Number
- 01603 286286
Healthcare Scientist (Biomedical Scientist (BMS))
Closed for applications on: 6-May-2025 00:02
Vacancy status: Closed
Closed for applications on: 6-May-2025 00:02
Key details
Location
- Site
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
- Address
- Colney lane
- Town
- Norwich
- Postcode
- NR4 7UY
- Major / Minor Region
- Norfolk
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- 6 months (fixed term contract / secondment opportunity until 17th November 2025)
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
Salary
- Salary
- £29,970 - £36,483 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (NHS AfC: Band 5)
Specialty
- Main area
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Interview date
- 22/05/2025
At NNUH it is our privilege to provide healthcare to over one million people across Norfolk and surrounding areas. Our vision is to ‘provide the best care for every patient’, and if this inspires you and you share our values, we really want you to join our team.
NNUH is currently the busiest Trauma Unit in the East of England caring for almost 850 trauma patients annually many with complex care needs. We are enhancing our urgent and emergency care specialist services for patients with significant injuries as a result of trauma and have an ambition to become a Major Trauma Centre.
Our values support our vision and guide the behaviour of everything we do, these are:
People-focused
We look after the needs of our patients, carers and colleagues, to provide a safe and caring experience for all.
Respect
We act with care, compassion and kindness and value others’ diverse needs.
Integrity
We take an honest, open and ethical approach to everything we do.
Dedication
We work as one team and support each other to maintain the highest professional standards.
Excellence
We continuously learn and improve to achieve the best outcomes for our patients and our hospital.
Wish you were here? So do we.
We want all our staff to achieve a balance between work and personal life and understand how important flexible working can be. We welcome applications on a full or part time basis, various shift patterns and hybrid working, where roles allow.
At the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH), we know the benefits diversity can bring to our organisation such as creativity, innovation and compassion. All of which have a direct impact towards our staff and patient experience. We are committed to being a Hospital for All – being equitable and inclusive, and a place where all feel a sense of belonging. We therefore particularly encourage and welcome applications from candidates who are underrepresented in NNUH’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people with diverse abilities and people within the LGBT+ community.
Job overview
Fixed term contract/secondment opportunity until 17th November 2025
We have an exciting opportunity for a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist who has experience of working as independent practitioners with skills in Haematology & Transfusion Science and who are able to perform a range of analyses in Haematology Automation, Coagulation, Transfusion Science & Reception Services. There is an expectation that the post holder will participate in the delivery of a 24/7 laboratory service.
We welcome applications from graduates who have completed an IBMS accredited biomedical sciences degree & currently in a trainee BMS role or are due to graduate this year (refer to attached job descriptions ). Please note for these candidates, this post will be offered initially as a fixed term contract subject to completion of the HCPC registration portfolio & attainment of a satisfactory level of competency & participation on 24/7 shift roster. After which the post will convert to a substantive contract.
Please note the interview will require a competency based exercise. Candidates must be able to attend the interview in person.
Full time: 37.5 hours per week
Interview date: 16th May 2025
If you are considering applying for this post on a secondment basis, please discuss with your Line Manager prior to applying to ascertain whether this could be supported.
Advert
As post holder, following training you will:
- Run daily test procedures on all methodologies to include calibration and quality control testing and to sign off as fit for clinical use
- Be responsible for processing both urgent and routine work to maintain routine turnaround times in line with Trust and Service policies.
- Fault find equipment and analyser function after formal in-house training.
- Explain results and reassure the users that the information is correct after seeking advice when results do not agree with clinical presentation.
- Be responsible for inputting and amending patient data and results, which includes other colleagues work.
- Work towards completion of IBMS specialist portfolio in haematology and transfusion.
- Assist in the education and training of Medical staff, Clinical Scientists, other Biomedical Scientists, Trainee Biomedical Scientists, MLA’s and visiting students as required within their specialised area
- Demonstrate on-going competence to practice by attending courses, lectures, mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and other training activities.
You will be working in a busy, friendly and dynamic team with supportive colleagues in a modern environment.
Working for our organisation
Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!
The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.
We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity
We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:
- Flexible working hours
- Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
- Multi Faith prayer room
- Discounted gym memberships
- Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
- Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
- Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
- Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
- On-site Nursery
- On-site cafes offering staff discounts
- Support in career development
- Flexible staff bank
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Communicates complex clinical scientific service related test information to managers, consultants, nurses, other health care colleagues, patients and patient carers
- Answers telephone inquiries from pathology users, patients and patient carers about test results and provide information that is highly complex about methodologies and service requirements
- Interprets results and reassures the users that the information is correct when results do not agree with clinical presentation and investigate and problem solves situations in their specialist field
- Manages own work and day-to-day routine work in specialised services. Responsible for processing both urgent and routine work to maintain routine turnaround times in line with Trust and Service polices
- Maintains very complex specialist analytical equipment on a daily basis and sign off as fit for clinical use.
- Responsible for the efficient use of expensive tests and high value analysers
- Manage and maintain specialised databases in laboratory computer systems and patient storage databases on a daily basis
- Responsible for inputting and amending specialist patient data and results, which includes other colleagues work
- Use research and development protocols on daily basis to provide statistical presentations of internal quality control to assess equipment performance in line with Westgaard rules
- Evaluate and develop methods to improve the service and patient care diagnostic tests
Please see the attached job description for full details.
The Eastern Pathology Alliance is formed from three Pathology Laboratories based at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), the James Paget University Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn.The Laboratory at NNUH provides a large range of Blood Sciences services comprising Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology and Transfusion, Immunology and Toxicology. The service provides analysis of a range of compounds present in serum and analysis of cells of the blood using automated processes to support the Acute Trust and Primary Care Trusts requirements. In addition the transfusion service analyses blood groups and cross matches blood to be issued for transfusions
Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 2213 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer). The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.
The Job Description, which includes a Person Specification, provides a full outline of responsibilities and requirements for this role. Please use your supporting statement to demonstrate how you meet the person specification.
Visa and Immigration
If you are wishing to apply for this role and would require sponsorship (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer), you can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this post by assessing your circumstances against criteria specified on the gov.uk website https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job.
Travelling to work
Staff parking is available onsite; however, this is limited during core working hours. We have more capacity in the evening and at weekends and can usually provide spaces during those hours.
We look to allocate these spaces fairly. Our Travel Office have a set of criteria that staff must meet in order to qualify. If you qualify for a space, you may be placed on a waiting list if we are at full capacity.
The NNUH is served by a number of public buses, and we offer generously discounted monthly passes with First Bus & Konect.
The Costessey Park and Ride runs regularly each day from 06:30 (from P&R) to 20:45 (from NNUH) and this service is free for NHS staff. There is a regular Thickthorn P&R service as well which is free. Applications to the Travel Office are required for this service. We also have a discounted service from the airport P&R if you purchase a bundle. Please see Konect website for further details.
The NNUH host multiple bicycle racks and a salary sacrifice scheme. We also benefit from a Beryl station onsite.
If you work at another Trust site, please discuss travel and parking arrangements at interview.
DBS
If this post involves working with children or adults the application form will ask for information regarding previous convictions as you will be required to undertake a Criminal Record and Barring Check known as a DBS check.
If you are a new employee or registering with the Staff Bank you will need to meet the cost of this unless your salary is less than point 9 of Afc
NHS Service
Should you be appointed to the post we will need to establish any previous NHS service via the ESR IAT and we will accept the submission of your application as your agreement to this.
UK Registration
You will need to have current UK professional registration where this is a requirement of the role.
Application
Following candidate feedback and to reduce our dependency on paper, all our communication with you regarding your application will be by email so could you please check your e-mails (and Spam) regularly.
We value equality in our team and recruit from all sections of the community. We recognise there is a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and if you meet the minimum criteria detailed in the person specification and have a disability, you may wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme by indicating this in the relevant section on your application.
We look forward to receiving your application and if you do not hear within the next four weeks this will usually mean that you have not been short-listed. However, if you wish to confirm this please contact the person indicated on the advert.
Flexibility
Whilst every effort will be made to recruit to the post as it is advertised, there may be occasions where we consider alternative working patterns, such as part time working, or contract types, such as secondments, depending on circumstances. Should you wish to work in a different working pattern to that stated in our advertisement, please indicate this in the supporting statement to your application.
Useful Information
Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates about the exciting career opportunities available at NNUH - @NNUHjobs
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Website
Applicant requirements
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- State registration with Health Professions Council (HPC)
- BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
Skills
Essential criteria
- Has a working knowledge of the assays performed within their service
- Understands clinical analyser performance evaluation to include very complex instrumentation
- Develop knowledge and skills of how to problem solve complex clinical Scientific problems
Attitude, aptitude
Essential criteria
- Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH’s PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
- o Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant post State Registration in a clinical service as a new entrant BMS1 working in Haematology and Transfusion laboratories
Documents
- Job description and Person Specification (PDF, 448.4KB)
- Staff Benefits (PDF, 674.5KB)
- Our NNUH Together Staff Network (PDF, 370.4KB)
- Our NNUH LGBT+ Staff Network (PDF, 675.0KB)
- Our NNUH Diverse Ability Staff Network (PDF, 607.0KB)
- Our NNUH Women's Staff Network (PDF, 103.1KB)
- Useful Links (PDF, 184.6KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Rachel Cozens
- Job title
- Chief BMS Haematology
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01603 287113
No longer accepting applications
Sorry, this vacancy is no longer accepting applications.
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