Job summary
- Main area
- Biochemistry
- Grade
- Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 162-7015-AV
- Employer
- Barking Havering and Redbridge Univ Hospitals NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Across Site
- Town
- Romford
- Salary
- £59,490 - £66,239 Per Annum Inclusive
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 08/05/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Band 8a Lead Biomedical Scientist - Biochemistry
Band 8a
PEOPLE are at the HEART of everything we do
This video gives a flavour of what it is like to work at our Trust and why some of our staff love working here 💙
Job overview
We are seeking applications from a forward thinking, well-motivated, enthusiastic individuals to take lead role in developing and delivering Biochemistry service across Barking, Havering, Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust (King George, Queens Hospitals and community hospitals settings).
You will be responsible for delivering patient focused, governance led, operational planning, implementation of policies, procedures, guidance, safe and high quality Biochemistry service that is aligned with national Biochemistry & Royal College of Pathologist strategies.
You will be expected to support the design, assessment, implementation, and maintain Biochemistry service outside the traditional laboratory settings, ensuring diagnostics are embedded in the patient pathway at the most appropriate and accessible point to facilitate care decisions.
You should possess excellent communication and time management skills and have a systematic and flexible approach to work. The successful candidate will be expected to work as part of the team in the delivery of Biochemistry Testing service and lead POCT team based at Queen’s Hospital and King George Hospital and includes HCPC registered staff and Associate practitioners.
The department actively encourages participation in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to develop skills that will assist you in the pursuit of career ambitions.
Main duties of the job
To manage a biochemistry laboratory and lead a team of Biomedical Scientists (BMSs), Associate Practitioners (AP) and Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) to provide high quality, efficient and effective service which supports the objectives of patient care and resource management within the hospital. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that all local and national policies relating to Biochemistry laboratory practice are implemented and observed by staff. Lead biomedical scientist will be expected work collaboratively and deputise for the Head of the Biochemistry, cover for the POCT Lead & Specimen, Reception Manager across both sites in their absence.
Working for our organisation
We’re an organisation that is getting better and better and our improvements are driven by a determination to deliver care we’re proud of and our patients are happy with. We’re no longer in special measures; we’ve opened two new theatres at our Elective Surgical Hub in King George Hospital (KGH); and Matthew Trainer, our Chief Executive, has been named the top CEO by the Health Service Journal.
We operate from two main sites – KGH in Goodmayes and Queen’s Hospital in Romford. We have two busy emergency departments with more than 330,000 people visiting them last year. We’re campaigning to secure the £35m we need to transform the A&E at Queen’s and get rid of corridor care.
Our patients are benefitting from our Women’s Health Hub in Ilford; an Ageing Well Centre in Hornchurch; and Community Diagnostic Centres (CDC) at Barking Community Hospital and at St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub in Hornchurch.
These CDCs are open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week and are providing an extra 88,000 scans a year.
The majority of our 8,000 staff – who come from 146 different countries - live in the three diverse London boroughs we serve and are from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. Many can work flexibly and more than 400 of them are on our Ofsted accredited apprenticeship programmes. We’re proud to be a London Living Wage employer.
We’re looking forward to introducing an electronic patient record that will be transformative for our staff and beneficial for our patients.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.
The person specification listed below is not the full specification requirements for the role. Please ensure you review the full specification on the job description prior to submitting your application.
Applicants are advised to read all the information on the advert and the supporting information before completing and submitting an application. As you complete your application please ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the person specification for this post by adequately completing the supporting information section of the application form.
All new staff appointed at the Trust are subject to a probationary period.
Applications should be made online, however, queries regarding the application process, assistance with completion of the application form or if you require any adjustments (for applicants with a disability) please contact Amanda Vickers, Recruitment Advisor, on 01708 435000 ext. 5926. Further details regarding the post may be obtained by contacting the manager as per the contact details above.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered as a Biomedical Scientist with Health Care Professions Council.
- Master’s degree in clinical biochemistry or assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise in the specialty.
Desirable criteria
- Management qualification
- Current IBMS membership
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Previous supervision at Senior BMS level
Desirable criteria
- Proven record of successful strategic management at senior level in a complex healthcare setting
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Vasuki Sivashankar
- Job title
- Head BMS
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
For further information, or to arrange an informal visit, please contact Vasuki Sivashankar, Head Biomedical Scientist on 01708 435 000 Ext.5073/2858, email [email protected].
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