Job summaryNHS Band 5 Salary: 32,073 - 39,043 per
annumHours Per Week: 37.5 full timeContract Type: 3 XPermanentWe 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.Main duties of the jobThe post holder will be required:To participate in the provision of the Histopathology
service, rotating in all areas of the department as required. To undertake preventative maintenance schedules on
laboratory instruments prior to use. To prepare and store high-cost reagents for use in
laboratory investigations. To perform manual and semi-automated laboratory
investigations, in a safe, efficient, and timely manner including tissue
transfer and some specimen dissection.To participate in method and laboratory instrument
evaluation.To participate in research and development.To carry out the above with the aim of maximising the
quality of our service and minimising the costs.To participate in the processing and reporting of
time-sensitive Cellular Pathology samples.To participate in the processing and evaluation of
Histopathology samples.About usHere at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are
proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are
ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and
training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital,
which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700
staff.Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We
hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our
hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it
right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.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, veterans'
status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.DetailsDate posted21 September 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 5Salary
32,073 to 39,043 a year
ContractPermanentWorking pattern
Full-time
Reference numberREF2626CJob locationsQueen Alexandra HospitalSouthwick Hill RoadPortsmouthHampshirePO6 3LYUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe 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 ResponsibilitiesThe post holder will be expected to participate in the following activities:Specimen reception and specimen requestingDecalcification, X-ray, and Bandsaw useCut up assist and BMS transfersProcessing specimensEmbeddingMicrotomyH&E StainingInternal Quality ControlSpecial stainingImmunohistochemistryMolecular referralsDigital 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.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesThe 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 ResponsibilitiesThe post holder will be expected to participate in the following activities:Specimen reception and specimen requestingDecalcification, X-ray, and Bandsaw useCut up assist and BMS transfersProcessing specimensEmbeddingMicrotomyH&E StainingInternal Quality ControlSpecial stainingImmunohistochemistryMolecular referralsDigital 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.Person Specification
Qualifications
EssentialAn accredited BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent.Current Registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council.DesirableMember of the IBMS.
Experience
EssentialPrevious 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 and Knowledge
EssentialThe 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 skillsDemonstration of good interpersonal skills.Conscientious, methodical approach to dutiesThe ability to interact directly with colleagues bringing in samples in a sensitive and respectful manner.An understanding of the political sensitivities of the TrustAbility 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 calmPrepared to handle clinical samples.
Person Specification
Qualifications
EssentialAn accredited BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent.Current Registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council.DesirableMember of the IBMS.
Experience
EssentialPrevious 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 and Knowledge
EssentialThe 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 skillsDemonstration of good interpersonal skills.Conscientious, methodical approach to dutiesThe ability to interact directly with colleagues bringing in samples in a sensitive and respectful manner.An understanding of the political sensitivities of the TrustAbility 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 calmPrepared to handle clinical samples.UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer namePortsmouth Hospitals University NHS TrustAddressQueen Alexandra HospitalSouthwick Hill RoadPortsmouthHampshirePO6 3LYUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer namePortsmouth Hospitals University NHS TrustAddressQueen Alexandra HospitalSouthwick Hill RoadPortsmouthHampshirePO6 3LYUnited KingdomEmployer's website
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