251783 (GH) Specialist Biomedical Scientist or Trainee Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Job Description

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Biochemistry/Serology, NHS Lothian Biochemistry (Band 6/6U) Specialist Biomedical Scientist RIE Biochemistry/Serology x2

This is an opportunity for an HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist to join our NHS Lothian team in Blood Science.

Candidates with HCPC registration and sufficient laboratory experience at Biomedical Scientist level (for example Specialist Portfolio) in Blood Science will be considered for the Band 6 post.

Candidates with HCPC registration – who lack relevant laboratory experience equivalent to a Specialist Biomedical Scientist – and are willing to undertake the IBMS Portfolio in Blood Sciences or Biochemistry, will also be considered for this post under Agenda for Change Annexe 21.

There are 3 adult acute hospitals and a specialist Paediatric hospital within NHS Lothian. Blood Science discipline Laboratory Services are provided from Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital and St John’s Livingston with this post being based at RIE. The Biochemistry/Serology department is a fast paced and busy department housing core Automated Biochemistry, Toxicology and Microbial Serology. This is an exciting time within Laboratory Medicine with an equipment refresh alongside a new LIMS being implemented in 2026/2027.

Our ideal candidates will have experience working in a Laboratory Medicine Laboratory as a BMS Biochemistry/Serology, with an interest in development and improvement of services. After suitable training the successful candidate will be required, after competency review, to undertake 24/7 duties in the appropriate departments and be flexible to provide cross site cover when needed.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.

Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may require a different level of criminal records check done than is currently the case. If the post is assessed as a ‘regulated role’, your appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. If there is any change to what is currently required, this will be confirmed by either the Hiring Manager or the Recruitment Team. For more details on these changes please visit: Disclosure Scotland Changes .

Please note – if this is a Trainee post, Annex 21 applies

For trainees covered by Annex 21 where the period of training lasts for between one and four years, pay will be as follows:

• up to 12 months prior to completion of training: 75 per cent of the pay band maximum of the fully qualified rate.
• more than one but less than two years prior to completion of training: 70 per cent of the pay band maximum of the qualified rate of the qualified.
• more than two but less than three years prior to completion of training: 65 per cent of the pay band maximum for the qualified rate.
• more than three years from completion of training: 60 per cent of the pay band maximum of the fully qualified rate.