About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an experienced, motivated, and forward-thinking Advanced Biomedical Scientist to undertake a Section Lead role within Cellular Pathology.
The successful candidate will provide operational leadership within a specialist section of the department, supporting service delivery, workforce planning, quality improvement, service development, and the implementation of new technologies. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual to develop their leadership skills within a large, progressive, and innovative Cellular Pathology service.
Our service is one of the largest in the country, comprising Histology, Diagnostic Cytology, Neuropathology, Research and Innovation Laboratories, and Mortuary Services. We are a specialist centre with significant referral activity and support diagnostic pathways across the Northeast and North Cumbria (NENC) Pathology Network. We also work closely with Integrated Laboratory Medicine, including the Genomics Laboratory Hub, in our role as the regional Cellular Pathology Genomics Centre (CPGC).
The successful candidate will join the Cellular Pathology management and scientific leadership team, contributing to the delivery of high-quality, timely, and patient-focused services. The department is UKAS ISO 15189 accredited and HTA licensed, and experience of quality management systems, service improvement, and digital pathology would be advantageous.
Main duties of the job
Provide specialist scientific expertise and leadership within Cellular Pathology, contributing to the delivery and development of a high-quality diagnostic service. Maintain and develop specialist knowledge, acting as a professional resource for complex scientific, technical, and operational issues. Lead and support section staff to ensure efficient service delivery, effective workflow management, and achievement of turnaround time targets. Contribute to service improvement, workforce planning, and the implementation of new technologies and processes.Act as a specialist resource, providing training, guidance, and technical support to scientific, technical, and clinical staff. Ensure laboratory tests and procedures are performed accurately and efficiently, applying professional judgement and authorisation where appropriate. Maintain compliance with UKAS ISO 15189, HTA, and other regulatory standards, investigating non-conformances and implementing corrective and preventive actions as required. Support quality improvement initiatives, audit activities, and accreditation requirements. Undertake staff supervision, work allocation, appraisal, objective setting, and personal development planning. Support staff wellbeing, attendance management processes, and return-to-work discussions where appropriate. Work collaboratively with colleagues across Cellular Pathology and the wider Pathology Network to support service resilience, innovation, and continuous improvement.
About us
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:
Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) Freeman Hospital Newcastle Dental Hospital Cramlington Manor Walks Urgent treatment centres Newcastle Fertility Centre Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria Northern Genetics Service These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description Job responsibilities
Applicants who are nearing completion of an IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma in Cellular Pathology or Leadership and Management, or a relevant subject MSc are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Candidates who have not yet achieved the required qualification(s) will be appointed at Band 6 until completion.
Interview Date: 23 October 2026 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week, including participation in Saturday rota (approximately one week in 6) You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy. The department of Cellular Pathology is made up of several sections (see organisational chart) and the post holder will assist in operational continuity and provide specialised advice within one of these sections. To contribute to the provision of an effective clinical Cellular Pathology service to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners, other Trusts and other users of the service. This will involve assisting a line manager with operational continuity by supervising, organising and directing Biomedical Scientists (BMS), Healthcare Science Associate Practitioners (HCSAP) and Healthcare Science Assistants (HSA) and also imparting specialist knowledge in clinical and technical situations. To provide specialist scientific knowledge and to work as a member of the team to assess, plan and contribute to the provision of a specialised service. To ensure laboratory diagnostic tests and procedures are performed accurately and efficiently and results validated microscopically and judgement used in determining if further tests/procedures are necessary. To microscopically interpret tissue and/or fluid samples, select and dissect areas for diagnosis e.g. renal biopsies To ensure that the section conforms to all internally and externally defined quality standards, investigate non- compliances, instigate remedial action, and to report such events to the Deputy/Operational manager and/or Quality Manager as appropriate. There is a requirement for the post holder to rotate through all different sections in the department. To assist the Deputy/Operational Managers in maintaining the performance of laboratory equipment within the section. To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to the Department Health and Safety Officer. Applicants must meet the essential criteria in the job description. Informal enquiries are welcome.
Whilst Newcastle Hospitals are a forward thinking and highly innovative organisation, the use of Third-Party Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a risk to the integrity of our Recruitment & Selection processes. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual application or to the recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education Essential
MSc in Biomedical Sciences or an equivalent qualification e.g. HSD / level of knowledge BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration
Knowledge & Experience Essential
Previous experience and knowledge in Cellular Pathology gained as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist
Desirable
Training and Leadership experience through work based practice and/or course attendance Knowledge and experience of Laboratory Accreditation and governance e.g. UKAS ISO15189 and Human Tissue Authority (HTA)
Skills & Abilities Desirable
Keyboard and IT related skills
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Royal Victoria Infirmary
317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary
NE1 4LP
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)