Biomedical Scientist in Dorchester

We currently have posts available for a Band 5 Biomedical Scientist within our team at Poundbury Cancer Institute - a histopathology laboratory located in Poundbury, Dorchester. The role involves ensuring the service we provide our clients runs smoothly, by assisting histopathologists and lab staff in various areas of the cellular pathology lab.

Main duties of the job

This role is for a HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist. The role includes, but is not limited to, embedding, microtomy, performing IHC and manual special stains.

Job responsibilities

• The post holder will play a key role in the day-to-day scientific and technical operations in the department without direct supervision and within defined limits by following departmental SOPs.
• Support the role of the Senior colleagues, and provide cover in their absence.
• The post holder will support to train and develop all subordinate staff and new staff during day-to-day operations within the department according to local policies and procedures as directed by senior staff.
• Carrying out support staff competency assessments to meet ISO15189 requirements.
• To maintain, and comply with the requirements of HCPC registration.
• To ensure efficient planning and prioritisation of individual workload.
• To supervise subordinate staff as necessary.
• The post holder will play a key role in the handling of patient tissue samples and recording associated clinical details as delegated by the Consultant Histopathologist.
• To assist in the testing and evaluation of new methodologies and instrumentation and to contribute to the review process of SOPs under the direction of senior staff and according to PCI policies.
• To assist in research activity, service development and clinical audit undertaken by the department.

Laboratory

• All aspects of patient tissue sample reception including interpretation of anatomical site and clinical details, assigning case numbers and preparing samples for dissection according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Close co-operation and communication with Consultant Histopathologists and other technical staff during assistance at dissection of tissue samples.
• This will include decision making and technical advice to clinicians and other service users on the suitability of tissue samples for subsequent processing for histological examination.
• Carries out all tasks necessary to effectively process and embed, in paraffin wax, all tissue samples taken for diagnostic analysis including changing processing reagents and programming and calibration of specialist tissue processor equipment.
• Appropriate anatomical orientation of tissue sample during embedding.
• Production of high quality sections of tissue samples on slides utilising high precision microtomes and attention to detail for the purpose of microscopical diagnosis.
• Performs staining or dying of slides of patient tissue material utilising complex chemical procedures through the use of SOPs for the purpose of rendering these suitable for microscopy and subsequent tissue diagnosis.
• Carry out all procedures necessary for the effective demonstration and visualisation of antigen sites and tumour markers through the use of Immunocytochemical diagnostic techniques.
• Post holders will have a thorough technical and theoretical knowledge of the use of primary antibodies used in these investigations.
• When necessary the post holder will be expected to replenish stock supplies of reagents, chemicals, stains and dyes used within the laboratory for specimen processing and analyses.
• To maintain / repair specialist equipment to correct loss of performance.
• To ensure staff undertake routine operative maintenance, corrective maintenance and troubleshooting.

Quality

• Responsibility for ensuring the standard of their individual work meets with Internal Quality Control values of the department (Technical validation).
• The post holder will take part in the preparatory work and assessment of sample material sent as part of the National External Quality Assessment Scheme.
• This may involve communicating and commenting on proposed changes for service improvement.
• To ensure, by periodic testing, that all specialist equipment is functioning efficiently through good housekeeping, troubleshooting and preventive maintenance including reagent changes.
• Communicate errors or faults to senior staff.
• Is familiar with contingencies in the event of equipment or system failure.
• To maintain a high standard of professional competence and skill in the performance of all tests and investigations carried out on that bench.
• To initiate preventive/corrective action or investigate with senior staff when the quality control procedures indicate loss of performance.
• To ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of senior staff and to report and record incidents, complaints and anomalies as soon as possible using the resources of the Quality management system.
• Maintenance of the requirements of the Quality Management System including raising non-conformities when there are failures of expected levels of performance.
• To ensure the agreed quality standards of service are maintained.
• To participate in the regular review and update of SOPs.
• Suggest changes to work practices within the section and assist implementation.
• Carry out method validation and verification procedures.
• To ensure that records are kept up-to-date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of ISO 15189:2012.

IT

• To comply with policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
• To use the Laboratory Information System (LIMS) according to the authorised protocols.
• Check, and correct if necessary, information input by other laboratory staff.
• To use PCI IT systems as appropriate, following PCI policies, guidelines and procedures.

Person Specification

Experience

• Post registration experience in Histopathology.
• Competent in all laboratory benches (cut-up, IHC and molecular).
• Evidence of regular CPD.
• Use of laboratory quality management systems.
• Experience of ISO15189 accreditation processes.
• Experience of a relevant LIMS system.
• Research projects.

Skills

• Good interpretative skills at bench/analytical level.
• Competent in a wide range of complex laboratory procedures.
• Able to organise and supervise less qualified staff.
• Communicate sensitive information with peers and senior staff.
• Communicate with other health care professionals.
• Able to plan day-to-day organisation of area of work.
• Able to train and support staff.
• Accurate, well developed technical skills, manual dexterity and hand/eye coordination.
• To be able to assist in monitoring the well being of less qualified staff.
• Able to work as part of a team and as an individual.

Qualifications

• HCPC State registration in Histopathology with post registration training.
• Progress towards higher degree or equivalent qualification.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.