Senior Biomedical Scientist Histology with dissection

Applications are invited from proactive, motivated, enthusiastic HCPC registered biomedical scientists to join the Cellular Pathology Department, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. The department is UKAS accredited ISO 15189:2022 and is an IBMS approved training laboratory. The post holders would be working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday (occasional weekend working may be required).

The post holder will be working as part of a combined team of Consultant Pathologists, Biomedical Scientists, Medical Laboratory Assistants and Secretarial and other support staff to provide a cellular pathology service for Worcestershire.

Main duties of the job:

• To perform independent dissection of complex specimens that fall within the RCPath designation of category A, B and C and a range of simple category D & E specimens.
• Be responsible for the evaluation and implementation of new equipment, methods and practices for the section as appropriate.
• Maintain expert knowledge of current technological and scientific developments.
• Senior point of contact for emergencies in the designated area.
• Maintain continual professional education and promote lifelong learning for managed staff.
• To work to the defined quality standards for all aspects of the service e.g. United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) and all the standards this encompasses.
• The post holder will be expected to work with the Advanced Scientist Dissector responsible for Specimen Reception and Dissection regarding supervision of staff and scheduling of dissection sessions.
• To deliver training to Biomedical Scientist staff to maintain relevant training records both for the dissection section and within general Histology.
• To create, maintain and review relevant Standard Operating Procedures.
• To promote and maintain a high standard of relevant education and training.
• To deputise for the Cellular Pathology training officer.
• To assist with aspects of Health and Safety monitoring and Risk Assessments.
• To ensure all equipment and procedures are fit for purpose.
• To promote equality and diversity in your working life ensuring that all the staff you work with feel valued and treated in a fair and equitable manner.
• Help to deliver on training plans and objectives set out by the Advanced Scientist Dissector and Cellular Pathology Training Manager.
• To participate in the routine work of all sections of the department to provide our users with accurate and timely results.
• To perform both routine tasks covering a variety of analytical equipment and manual techniques.
• To ensure that all tasks are performed in accordance with current Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and regulations to ensure a high quality service at all times.
• To ensure that equipment is properly maintained on a day to day basis and operated in accordance with laboratory and manufacturers SOPs.
• To be fully conversant with all forms of automated equipment within the Department, including being able to troubleshoot to ensure minimum downtime as consequence of minor breakdowns/malfunctions.
• The documentation of specimens, including the entry of computerised records.
• The handling, processing and disposal of histological and cytological material including the sensitive disposal of products of conception.
• Provide assistance to Consultant Histopathologists with regard to specimen dissection and sampling of diagnostic material.
• The embedding and orientation of tissue samples selected for diagnostic evaluation requiring knowledge and experience of histological and anatomical structure.
• The production of microscopical preparations requiring extensive hand and eye coordination to produce high quality diagnostic sections using complex, skilled microtomy and handling techniques, for both paraffin wax and urgent diagnostic frozen sections.
• The preparation of routine stains, working solutions and reagents in order to perform routine and specialised histological, histochemical and immunocytochemical investigations.
• To undertake routine histological, histochemical and immunofluorescent investigations on diagnostic tissue specimens in accordance with Standard Operational Procedures.
• To undertake routine quality control checks prior to releasing cases to pathologists for reporting.
• To cut high quality frozen sections for urgent diagnosis or immunofluorescent technique.
• To have precise pipetting skills where accuracy and precision are required.

Person Specification:

Qualifications:

• Essential: MSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent, Registration with HCPC Biomedical Scientist, Evidence of ongoing CPD, IBMS Diploma of expert practice (DEP) in Histological dissection or significant relevant experience of dissection of RCPATH category B & C specimens.
• Desirable: Other relevant courses with regards to H&S, supervision, quality or training ASD in Specimen Dissection.

Experience:

• Essential: Experience in dissection including significant practical experience of dissection of category B & C specimens, Experience and advanced knowledge of a range of histology techniques, Previous experience as a Band 6 BMS in cellular Pathology, working in a specialist or team leader role on a regular basis, Experience of training staff in histological procedures.
• Desirable: Experience of category D&E specimen dissection.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.