About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the NHS East and South East London Pathology Partnership (ESEL) Cellular Pathology Department.
Join our friendly and professional team at : Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).Grade (Band 6)
Speciality Main area UHL Pathology - Histology.
Join our dynamic Histopathology team within the East and South East London Pathology Partnership (ESEL) as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist. Based primarily at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Woolwich, you will play a key role in delivering a high-quality Histopathology service, undertaking duties including embedding, microtomy, cryotomy, slide preparation, checking, and filing in line with departmental SOPs. You may also be required to support other ESEL sites as service needs dictate.We are looking for an HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist with a relevant specialist portfolio and Histology laboratory experience. This is an excellent opportunity to further develop your career within a large, innovative pathology network committed to providing outstanding patient care.
Main duties of the job
Key responsibilities include
- To take operational responsibility for a section of the laboratory as required.
- To collaborate in the development and evaluation of new equipment, protocols, and testing procedures. This will include leading the development and production of revised or new standing operational procedures.
- To be responsible for a special function of the departmental services as agreed with line management including training officer and or quality officer within the speciality.
- To ensure that all internal Quality Control and external Quality Assurance programmes are implemented and maintained for the relevant section(s) and to interpret and act on the results accordingly and ensure that this information is communicated to all relevant members of staff.
- To assist in ensuring that the laboratories meet the Quality Management accreditation standards.
About us
The NHS East and South East London Pathology Partnership is an arms-length organisation providing pathology services to Barts Health NHS Trust, Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The Pathology Partnership is hosted by Barts Health.
The Pathology Partnership was formed in May 2021. Between 2021 and 2024 the Partnership undertook a complex transformation programme to establish a single network of laboratories, underpinned by a single Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and single Quality Management System (QMS).
The Partnership has a main hub laboratory at the Royal London Hospital and Essential Service Laboratories (ESL) as a minimum at the six other hospital sites served by the Partnership.
The Partnership has three operational divisions
Blood Sciences including Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry
Microbiology and Virology
Cellular Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics
The 2024/25 total operating costs across the Partnership were c. £121m per annum with a workforce establishment of circa. 860 WTE.
We strive to live by ourWeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To help in maintaining and monitoring all SOPs on a yearly basis
Undertake routine laboratory techniques in line with department standard operating procedures under supervision.
- To follow and understand the concepts of Quality Management
To participate in the day-to-day running of the Histopathology laboratory including embedding, microtomy, cryotomy, checking, preparing and filing of slides according to the SOPs
- Ensure that referred samples are sent to appropriately performing and monitored centres
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- At least 3 years' experience in a Histopathology Laboratory.
- Knowledge and skills in routine and specialist Histology procedures.
- Experience of supervising and working in a team.
- Knowledge of working in NHS environment, under UKAS: ISO 15189 standards.
- Experience of working to deadlines
Desirable
- Experience of immunocytochemistry (IHC
Skills
Essential
- Extensive computer skills
- Able to follow Standard Operating Procedures
- Supervisory and training skills
- Able to undertake specialist histopathology laboratory techniques
- Able to work to deadlines with accuracy
- Excellent numerical and literacy skills
Knowledge
Essential
- Good knowledge of histopathology theory and practice
- Use of initiative in prioritising and seeing where assistance is needed and providing that assistance
- Able to help investigate, troubleshoot and correct staining issues
- Good interpersonal skills, able to build and develop working relationships with colleagues within and outside the Trust
- Working knowledge of data security and confidentiality
- IT Literate including use of Microsoft word, data analysis and use of Laboratory Information Management System.
- In-dept understanding of the processes and practices within histopathology
Qualifications
Essential
- In-dept understanding of the processes and practices within histopathology
- Degree in Biomedical Science (IBMS Accredited) or equivalent
- HCPC registration
Desirable
- Further study towards MSc in appropriate specialty
- Specialist Portfolio
Other
Essential
- Good verbal communication skills
- Able to work as part of a team or independently, as required
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Very good organisational skills
- Ability to produce high quality work
- Open minded to new technology and techniques.
- Reliable and trustworthy
- Self-motivated.
- Ability to show flexibility by performing multiple tasks
- Good hand-eye coordination & manually dexterous
- Methodical, precise, numerate Ability to pick up techniques quickly
- Cope with large amounts of repetitive work
- Highly motivated, innovative, and adaptable
- Can think clearly and react appropriately under stress while remaining calm
- Hold no reservations in handling human body fluids, tissue, organs, or infected material in accordance with Health & Safety policies
- The post holder must be willing to have appropriate vaccinations
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
Barts Health NHS Trust
Address
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
London
SE18 4QH
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)