230920 Specialist Biomedical Scientist

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.

Part time hours considered, the salary will be pro-rata.

This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post.

Genomics Department

X 1 Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6) Full-time post 37 hours per week; part-time applicants will be considered

£39,912 - £48,635 (pro rata for part-time)

Applications are invited from suitably experienced and motivated individuals to apply for the position of Specialist Biomedical Scientist in this busy, dynamic, and well-equipped department. This post will focus on analysis and resulting of reports, working closely with and supporting Clinical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists and Consultant Pathologists. Molecular Pathology provides a south-east regional service, which may include samples from other regions when necessary. Examples of Department approved roles/tasks work are described below.

NHS Lothian's Molecular Pathology service has significant results authorisation responsibilities, currently performed by Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Scientists and Consultant Pathologists. Clinical areas that may be analysed, with some reporting, by Specialist BMSs post training and competency will include Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs), Solid Tumour and Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (HMDS). A wide range of assay type is used within the department including real-time PCR, Pyrosequencing, NGS, HRM, MLPA, Fragment length analysis and COBAS. Training on the interpretation and reporting of results across all platforms will be provided.

Successful candidates will learn laboratory processes as part of background to the analysis they perform but the role is not laboratory based.

The post holders will also support the Team Managers with quality management processes, including audit, method verification, SOP development, and preparation for UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation. NHS Lothian is also preparing to implement a new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), and successful candidates will contribute to its clinical implementation and integration within the department.

Post holders will receive formal training (competences and in-house portfolio) and will widen their Clinical Genomics and Pathology knowledge through engagement with senior Clinical Scientists, Consultant Pathologists, attendance at departmental meetings and lunchtime seminars, and participation in case discussions. Depending on background and training requirements the successful candidate may need to complete a Post Graduate qualification in Molecular Pathology and Genomic Medicine. There is an expectation that candidates will demonstrate initiative and motivation for self-directed study with support from senior Principal Clinical Scientists, to support their ongoing clinical development.

The line management for the role will be provided by the band 7 Team Managers; however, certain aspects may be delegated to Principal Clinical Scientists e.g., TURAS/ PDP as well as for day-to-day work such as analysis and reporting. The successful candidate will be supported by Clinical Scientists and other Team Managers, with assigned mentors as they rotate and learn new tasks. The successful post holder will work closely with Clinical Scientists, Consultant Pathologists, Biomedical Scientists and Health Care Support Workers.

Applicants must be HCPC registered, have completed a IBMS specialist portfolio in relevant discipline i.e. with molecular techniques and demonstrable experience in at least one molecular lab technique, such as PCR, real-time PCR, fragment length analysis, HRM, NGS or FISH, this should be evidenced in the IBMS specialist portfolio and evidenced within an NHS setting.

Candidates must participate in CPD.

For further information please contact Principal Clinical Scientist Louise Gilroy