Job Description
Healthcare Scientist
This vacancy is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. Please do not apply unless you have another means of establishing a right to work, or you are already employed by the NHS and would transfer to the pay point at the top of Band 5.
Job Summary
You will be working as part of a clinical laboratory team, alongside other health care professionals and the role you perform will directly contribute to saving and improving patient’s lives.
As a Healthcare Scientist there are many opportunities for career advancement. This role has a significant supervisory component. This will offer the successful candidate the opportunity to develop line management skills. You will be responsible for managing the workflow and performance of the Sample Reception Team. This is a critical role which ensures samples are available on demand for the testing sections.
We will provide you with an extensive induction and training programme and ongoing development to support you in your role and achieving your career ambitions.
Main duties of the job
The Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory carries out HLA typing and antibody screening in support of stem cell transplantation, the provision of specialist blood products and immunogenetic and disease association testing. We have direct involvement with clinicians, for example, in transplantation, we use our test results to provide advise on the compatibility of a potential stem cell donor and the recipient. Working within a modern laboratory environment you will be:
- Operating some of the latest laboratory analysers and testing systems to produce accurate and timely test results. Tests include molecular (DNA) based, including gene sequencing and multiplex solid phase platform assays.
- Performing and interpreting a wide range of specialist scientific and technical procedures and tests relating to the issue of results or blood/tissue products
- Conducting automated and manual investigations in a diagnostic laboratory, operating a range of complex and routine equipment, applying scientific, theoretical, and practical knowledge expected of a Healthcare Scientist
You will be required to provide cover in times of operational difficulty, with reasonable notice.
About You
Experience and Knowledge
- Experience of the use of a range of laboratory analysers and equipment
- Competent in a range of manual scientific techniques.
Qualifications and Training
- Graduate in Biomedical Science or appropriate science degree.
- Committed to continuous learning and professional development
About Us
It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.
Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do.
By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work – and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.
You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
What we offer:
- Flexible working options – we promote flexible working where the role allows. We’re happy to discuss what flexibility might look like for you.
- Generous annual leave - 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
- Inclusive pension scheme - the NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns). Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions
- Supportive learning culture - we’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
- Health and wellbeing support – we offer confidential services including occupational health, employee assistance programme, and wellbeing resources. Our support is available to all colleagues and we endeavour to provide tailored workplace adjustments where possible.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. We will talk with you to explore any adjustments that may help you during the recruitment process.
You can find more information about accessibility, our culture, and how we support applicants on the NHSBT Careers website:
To learn more, please see the job description and person specification. These can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.
Next steps
This vacancy will close at 23:59 on Wednesday 6th May 2026.
This vacancy may close sooner than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of applications, so we recommend applying early.
The assessment process for this role will include: a single interview. Face to face interviews are anticipated to be held on Tuesday 26th May 2026 – subject to confirmation.
For informal enquiries please contact Luke Foster, Consultant Clinical Scientist
via email at LukeFosterPA@nhsbt.nhs.uk
