Job summary

Applications are invited from suitably experienced HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists to join our busy team within the Department of Histology based at Derriford Hospital Plymouth as the Special Procedures Section Lead. The Special Procedures comprises IHC, special stains, cytology and molecular send away.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, highly adaptable person who is a good team player and communicator and has the ability to liaise effectively with colleagues and service users.

Candidates who have completed an IBMS Specialist Portfolio and are working towards either the IBMS Higher Specialist Portfolio, an MSc and demonstrable experience of working within this area will be considered.

As the future of Pathology evolves, there will be requirements to offer a 7 day, 24/7 service.

Please note: When applying for this role, it is your duty to ensure you meet the requirements for any right to work or visa stipulations.

***Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.***

Main duties of the job

To take responsibility for the management of the Special Procedures section of the department with specific reference to the implementation and maintenance of Health & Safety issues, Quality Systems, including all accreditation standards and personnel matters.

To undertake scientific duties in the appropriate section of the department as required to facilitate the smooth running of the service.

To provide a clinical technical service by performing routine and specialist procedures on a range of biological samples.

To maintain and run specialist equipment up to the value of £350,000.

To possess the skills required to facilitate the necessary training and supervision of state registered Biomedical Scientists (BMS), Trainee BMS and support staff within their section of the department.

To assist the Operations Manager and Technical Manager in the management of the laboratory.

Directly manage a group of BMS and support staff, typically between 5 and 10, occasionally more, while covering the absence of other Section Leads.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

08 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-LH-DB8295132-A

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Take managerial charge of the clinical technical service provided by a section of the Department.

2. Achieve, demonstrate, maintain and promote scientific & technical excellence, and by example ensure high professional standards amongst the scientific, technical and support staff in your section within the Department.

3. To ensure that all staff meet the necessary standards of speed, quality and accuracy, appropriate to the level of experience and training.

4. To facilitate the induction, training & competencies of staff within the section i.e. Trainee Biomedical Scientists (BMS), BMSs of all grades, Associate Healthcare Scientists & ATOs. This includes ensuring timely completion of all induction, training & competency records.

5. Working with the Operations Manager and Services Lead to develop, coordinate and maintain the Departments programme of continuous service review in accordance with internal and external quality systems and within the Trusts framework of continuous quality improvement.

6. To work with the quality manager to ensure all necessary quality standards are met, including UKAS, HTA.

7. To be responsible for the establishment, and participate in the auditing, of all working procedures and protocols within your area of responsibility.

8. To have overall responsibility for stock control and ordering within your section. To have a joint responsibility for stock levels of consumables that are common to other sections of the Department, ensure that these stock levels are maintained and that all storage areas are safe and tidy.

9. To be responsible for the promotion, identification and implementation of efficiency measures within the section. Work with senior staff in the other sections to ensure that any efficiency measures identified within the Department are implemented.

10. Ensure that the necessary standards of security are maintained throughout the Section and any area used for storage.

For further details please se ethe attached JD and PS

Job description Job responsibilities 1. Take managerial charge of the clinical technical service provided by a section of the Department. 2. Achieve, demonstrate, maintain and promote scientific & technical excellence, and by example ensure high professional standards amongst the scientific, technical and support staff in your section within the Department. 3. To ensure that all staff meet the necessary standards of speed, quality and accuracy, appropriate to the level of experience and training. 4. To facilitate the induction, training & competencies of staff within the section i.e. Trainee Biomedical Scientists (BMS), BMSs of all grades, Associate Healthcare Scientists & ATOs. This includes ensuring timely completion of all induction, training & competency records. 5. Working with the Operations Manager and Services Lead to develop, coordinate and maintain the Departments programme of continuous service review in accordance with internal and external quality systems and within the Trusts framework of continuous quality improvement. 6. To work with the quality manager to ensure all necessary quality standards are met, including UKAS, HTA. 7. To be responsible for the establishment, and participate in the auditing, of all working procedures and protocols within your area of responsibility. 8. To have overall responsibility for stock control and ordering within your section. To have a joint responsibility for stock levels of consumables that are common to other sections of the Department, ensure that these stock levels are maintained and that all storage areas are safe and tidy. 9. To be responsible for the promotion, identification and implementation of efficiency measures within the section. Work with senior staff in the other sections to ensure that any efficiency measures identified within the Department are implemented. 10. Ensure that the necessary standards of security are maintained throughout the Section and any area used for storage. For further details please se ethe attached JD and PS

Person Specification

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• oAbility to demonstrate and apply proven knowledge of the Pathology of disease in one or more disciplines within Histology
• oSpecialist proven knowledge and demonstrable experience in the technical field of a Pathology discipline
• oHigh level, specialised technical skills

Desirable

• oParticipation in the Institute of Biomedical Sciences CPD scheme
• oAdvanced Computing skills

Qualifications

Essential

• oFellow of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (FIBMS) by examination or hold an MSc in Biomedical Sciences or significant equivalent experience in a specialist discipline in Pathology.
• oState registration with Health Care Professions Council as a Biomedical Scientist.
• oSupervisory skills course - Trust or equivalent

Desirable

• oTrust recognised trained risk assessor
• oRecognised management qualification or attendance at short courses on relevant management issues i.e. interviewing, managing people, managing sickness etc.

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

• oExcellent communication skills, being able to deal with patients and staff at all levels of the organisation with tact and diplomacy
• oCommunicate with company representatives and staff from external organisations including other NHS Trusts.
• oAble to present information in a number of formats including MS PowerPoint

Person Specification Knowledge and experience Essential oAbility to demonstrate and apply proven knowledge of the Pathology of disease in one or more disciplines within Histology oSpecialist proven knowledge and demonstrable experience in the technical field of a Pathology discipline oHigh level, specialised technical skills Desirable oParticipation in the Institute of Biomedical Sciences CPD scheme oAdvanced Computing skills Qualifications Essential oFellow of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (FIBMS) by examination or hold an MSc in Biomedical Sciences or significant equivalent experience in a specialist discipline in Pathology. oState registration with Health Care Professions Council as a Biomedical Scientist. oSupervisory skills course - Trust or equivalent Desirable oTrust recognised trained risk assessor oRecognised management qualification or attendance at short courses on relevant management issues i.e. interviewing, managing people, managing sickness etc. Aptitude & Abilities Essential oExcellent communication skills, being able to deal with patients and staff at all levels of the organisation with tact and diplomacy oCommunicate with company representatives and staff from external organisations including other NHS Trusts. oAble to present information in a number of formats including MS PowerPoint

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)