Head Biomedical Scientist - Blood Transfusion | Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head Biomedical Scientists to lead our Blood Transfusion laboratories at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW). MTW is a welcoming and friendly workplace and the department benefits from excellent links with both specialist clinicians and general practitioners.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, dynamic, well-organised and motivated individual to take up the post for our professional and friendly team.

The post holder will take the management lead in all scientific work-related issues and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Blood Transfusion laboratories.

The post holder will be responsible for the maintenance and development of a high-quality service and will be supported to display personal initiative in all areas. They will lead a team of Senior staff to deliver a fit-for-purpose medical laboratory service to achieve the objectives of efficient patient care and resource management within the hospital. You must have excellent communication skills, a keen eye for detail, be adaptable, flexible, innovative, be highly motivated to deliver excellence and must have the ability to work on your own as well as within a team.

Pathology services at MTW are within the Kent and Medway Pathology Network (South 8) and are in discussion regarding transforming pathology services for the future.

The post holder will lead the Blood Transfusion department in conjunction with the Consultant Lead and the team to ensure the workstream and programmes are planned and carried our effectively.

Developing the culture of the department, maintaining excellent working relationships and promoting the department at all levels of all involved organisations.

Ensuring the service is capable of meeting all statutory, regulatory and NHS requirements

Taking a lead in the recruitment, training and development of all staff in the department

Ensuring the service is in alignment with network development requirements

Responsible for development and delivery of a business plan that meets the needs of all Trusts and organisations that are clients of the service, ensuring all risks, issues and reports are recorded and managed.

MTW is a large acute hospital trust in the south-east of England.
We provide a full range of general hospital services and some aspects of specialist and complex care to around 600,000 people living in west Kent and East Sussex. We have a team of over 8,000 full and part-time staff. We also provide specialist cancer services to around 2 million people across Kent and East Sussex via the Kent Oncology Centre.

In the 2024 NHS staff survey, our employees ranked MTW among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and the second-best Trust to work for in the South East.

Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.

Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Basic Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)

At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.

We support our staff with disabilities to ensure they have the adjustments they need to be the best they can be in the workplace. Collaborating with Access to Work means that our staff are assessed by experts in the workplace and we ensure that their recommendations are implemented as quickly as possible. You can find out more here: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).