Biomedical Scientist

NHS Band 5 Salary:   £32,073 - £39,043 per annum

Hours Per Week:   37.5 full time

Contract Type:    3 X Permanent

We are seeking an enthusiastic and reliable Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join our histology team who will carry out laboratory investigations on samples of tissue to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of our patients

The Histopathology department at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust processes around 43,000 cases, generating ~350,000 slides per year. We are UKAS accredited against ISO 15189 standards and we hold training laboratory status from the IBMS and support training where appropriate.

In addition to routine histology processing, the department undertakes immunohistochemistry, manual and automated special staining, frozen section and immunofluorescence, renal, liver and lung biopsy work and digital pathology.

Key Responsibilities

The post holder will be expected to participate in the following activities:

• Specimen reception and specimen requesting
• Decalcification, X-ray, and Bandsaw use
• Cut up assist and BMS transfers
• Processing specimens
• Embedding
• Microtomy
• H&E Staining
• Internal Quality Control
• Special staining
• Immunohistochemistry
• Molecular referrals
• Digital Pathology (Sectra PACS, using 3DHISTECH P1000 and P250 scanners)
• Laboratory Information Management System (Clinisys WPE)

For full job details and person specification please refer to enclosed job description.

Essential

• An accredited BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent.
• Current Registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Desirable

• Member of the IBMS

Experience

• Previous experience of working in a histopathology laboratory.
• Be computer literate especially with the handling of data.
• Experience in specimen dissection and renal/liver/lung biopsy preparation.
• Experience with quality management and audit.
• Knowledge of DATIX and iPassport.
• Experience with digital pathology.
• Experience in service improvement.
• Evidence of CPD

Skills & Knowledge

• The ability to work using own initiative and without supervision.
• The ability to deal with colleagues bringing in samples for processing and to field enquiries.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Evidence of good manual dexterity and hand eye coordination.
• Demonstration of good organisational skills
• Demonstration of good interpersonal skills.
• Conscientious, methodical approach to duties
• The ability to interact directly with colleagues bringing in samples in a sensitive and respectful manner.
• An understanding of the political sensitivities of the Trust
• Ability to demonstrate confidentiality and trustworthiness.
• A willingness to be flexible and part of a team.
• Ability to demonstrate a high degree of concentration and attention to detail.
• Deal calmly and politely with members of hospital staff who are working in areas of extreme pressure.
• Ability to juggle many priorities at one time, whilst remaining calm
• Prepared to handle clinical samples.

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