Job overview

We are currently looking for two enthusiastic, motivated, suitably qualified and experienced HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientists for a Specialist BMS role within the Blood Sciences Department, Ceredigion Division of Hywel Dda University Health Board at Bronglais General Hospital, Aberystwyth.

Both vacancies are for permanent posts in the Haematology and Blood Transfusion section. One is full time (37.5 hrs/wk) and one is part time (18.75 hrs/wk). 

Aberystwyth is a vibrant seaside and university town in west Wales, offering a relaxed pace of life with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, including coastal and inland walking, mountain biking, watersports, nature reserves etc. This post is ideally suited for someone wanting to work in a smaller laboratory where you get to be part of a friendly team and will have hands-on experience in all areas.  

The laboratory provides services in Haematology, Coagulation, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry, and currently runs a fully automated platform with Haematology analysers being Siemens Advias, Coagulation, Werfen TOPS analysers, Ortho Vision platforms for Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry is the Roche Cobas Pro system and a Specialised Chemistry section. 

The successful candidate will be primarily based at the Bronglais General Hospital site which sits within the Ceredigion Division of Hywel Dda University Health Board. 

Main duties of the job

This post is advertised as a Band 6 and ideally candidates for this role must have achieved the Specialist Diploma. However applicants who are HCPC registered but who do not currently hold the qualification for the Band 6 role, are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will need to attain the qualification within 3 years and will be appointed under Annex 21 rules. 

This means they will be supported by a development plan. During the first year payment will be 65% of the top of Band 6, in the second year 70% and third year 75%. Once the Specialist Diploma has been achieved, the post holder will then be paid at Band 6 (minimum point on the scale).

Support and supervision will be provided in order to develop the 
successful applicant to the Band 6 role. Failure to achieve the qualification and required competencies in the designated timeframe could result in re-deployment.

As part of the Annex 21 process, there is no financial penalty to those who apply for this role where the percentage will cause a reduction in pay, subsequently a local protection would be put in place until the pay has caught up.

The department operates a contractual shift pattern supporting Round the Clock Services, and out of hours working on the Haematology / Blood Transfusion rota maybe required as part of this role.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply. 

Working for our organisation

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties. 

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers. 

Our services are provided in:

•    Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest 
•    Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire 
•    Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings 
•    47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers 
•    Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services