Biomedical Scientist - Clinical Flow Cytometry

Job Description

NHS Band 6 Salary:  £39,959 - £48,117 per annum

Hours Per Week: Full time 37.5

Contract Type:   Permanent

We provide Acute Hospital services for a local population of around 675,000 people across Portsmouth, South East Hampshire and beyond. We have over 8,700 staff, 1,200 beds and an annual turnover close to £800 million. More than 200 military personnel work alongside us at the QA Hospital. 

PHU has a well-earned reputation for clinical excellence in many areas. We are recognised as a major acute hospital, offering many services not normally associated with a District General Hospital including:  

• We are a designated cancer centre, serving a population of approximately 800,000 within southern Hampshire as part of the Central and South Coast Cancer Network.
• We are also home to the Wessex Kidney Centre, which is the third largest renal unit in England, providing a comprehensive renal service to about 2.4 million adults across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and the adjacent parts of Wiltshire, West Sussex, Berkshire and Surrey.
• We have one of the largest programmes of robotic surgery in the country, having carried out over 3000 robotic procedures since we installed a Da Vinci robot at the hospital in 2013.
• Following record-breaking success in recruiting into trials, we have maintained our position as one of the top research organisations – ensuring as many people as possible are offered the opportunity to take part in research that improves care and patient experience. By the end of 2022/23 PHU had supported 8,683 people to take part in research. As a large acute organisation our hospital ranked 2nd nationally for research activity and 1st for complexity weighted recruitment – meaning our local population received access to a broad portfolio of research. These studies included wellbeing initiatives for staff, trialling new treatments and access to new digital innovations. The studies we offered patients spanned 21 different specialty areas and were delivered by our diverse workforce including medics, fellows, nurses, midwives, AHPs, trial assistants and office staff.
• The Flow Cytometry service supports the local population with workload increasing annually in volume and complexity. Growth is being driven not only by Haemato-Oncology demand but also by expanding demand outside traditional pathways, particularly: Respiratory, Ophthalmology, Neurology, ENT and Wessex Renal.

• An opportunity has arisen for a motivated individual to join the immunophenotyping service at PHU. As a key member of this team of four Biomedical Scientists, the successful candidate will be expected to perform specialist investigations and demonstrate an ability to, at times, work independently and deputise for the Section Lead.

To be considered for this position, HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist is required. Demonstrable Laboratory experience is essential at Band 5 level, ideally from working in a Haem-Onc immunophenotyping laboratory. Specialist training will be provided for the successful candidate. Eventual progression to B7 is part of the workforce plan, commensurate on attaining the appropriate levels of training and competency which may take 1 – 3 years depending on candidates experience and skills when entering the role.

Main duties of the job

The purpose of this role is to contribute to the delivery of a high-quality diagnostic service. Therefore, the successful candidate will be expected to examine referral indices and then select appropriate panels, analyse complex data sets and produce immunophenotyping reports in a timely manner to support clinical decision making.

Therefore, workflow management and good communication skills are crucial elements of this role. Key responsibilities: prepare samples and reagents, stock ordering, writing and review of documents, audits, IQC and EQA performance monitoring, staff supervision and training, assisting the Section Lead with quality management to maintain UKAS accreditation.

About us

The Blood Sciences Immunophenotyping Laboratory at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust operates Beckman Coulter DX-Flex and Aquios flow cytometers and utilises LUCID Duraclone Panels to deliver a comprehensive flow cytometry service for the diagnosis of haematological malignancies and immune monitoring.

Attendance at reporting MDT’ s with the Consultant Haematologists is encouraged as an element of professional learning and development and we also benefit from the knowledge and experience of a Consultant Clinical Scientist led Immunology service.

For full job details please refer to enclosed job description.

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc (Hons) or equivalent in Biomedical Sciences
• Registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist
• Be able to demonstrate a broad level of specialist knowledge and practical experience by possession of an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) Specialist Portfolio or equivalent
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Evidence of supervisory experience
• Evidence of training and developing staff
• Evidence of contribution to service improvement

Experience

Essential

• At least two years’ experience working in a relevant clinical laboratory environment.

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to use highly complex automated equipment and associated computer software systems
• Ability to maintain high standards of accuracy and hand to eye coordination in repetitive manual techniques
• Ability to work in a timely methodical and organised manner
• Ability to undertake the technical validation of results
• The ability to work using own initiative and without supervision
• The ability to supervise and train laboratory staff effectively
• Knowledge to undertake the accurate interpretation of diagnostic laboratory results
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• A knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and procedures within a clinical laboratory
• An understanding of laboratory Quality Management Systems
• Can use Microsoft Word and Excel

Desirable

• Practical knowledge of departmental equipment and methods

Additional Information

The health and wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do. We are proud to be able to offer our staff some fantastic benefits including our on-site Nursery, access to our free Beach Hut for those long summer days, our on-site Wellness Centre including a gym and a swimming pool, access to our fantastic staff networks including LGBTQ, Race Equality and DisAbility, and awards ceremonies to recognise your achievements. We believe we can offer support to all of our staff when they need it the most.

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs. 

For more information, please see our People and OD Strategy 2026