Advanced Biomedical Scientist - Training and Main Laboratory

NHS; Swindon; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job description

Advanced Biomedical Scientist - Training and Main Laboratory

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

We are seeking an Advanced Biomedical Scientist to join our team. You will work as part of the Cellular Pathology team involved in the technical preparation of specimens and performing defined procedures in accordance with standard operating procedures. To act as training and joint main laboratory lead within the department and take part in quality assurance, documentation and organization of the department training and competency programs. To take part in the maintenance of department standards, assessed to UKAS ISO15189:2022 standards. To line manage members of staff and carry out appraisals, one to one meetings and other HR duties.

Main duties of the job

1. To participate in the routine work of all sections within the department to provide our users with accurate and timely results.
2. To perform both routine and specialist tasks covering a variety of equipment and manual techniques.
3. 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.
4. To ensure that equipment is properly maintained on a day to day basis and operated in accordance with laboratory and manufacturers SOPs.
5. To be fully conversant with the equipment within the department, including troubleshooting.
6. The documentation of specimens, including entry of computerised records.
7. The handling, processing and disposal of histological and cytological material.
8. The macroscopic description and transfer of category A specimens, such as small biopsies.
9. Further specimen dissection techniques.
10. The embedding and orientation of tissue samples selected for diagnostic evaluation requiring significant knowledge and experience of histological and anatomical structure.

Job responsibilities

1. The production of slides for microscopic examination, requiring extensive hand and eye coordination to produce high quality diagnostic sections using complex, skilled microtomy and handling techniques.
2. The preparation of complex stains, working solutions and reagents in order to perform routine and specialised histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical investigations.
3. To undertake routine and specialised histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical investigations on diagnostic tissue specimens in accordance with Standard Operational Procedures.
4. To have precise pipetting skills where accuracy and precision are required.
5. To undertake investigations arising from UKNEQAS participation, including cellular pathology techniques, immunohistochemistry and andrology.
6. To implement quality control measures and checking.
7. Manage staff for day to day operations of the section.
8. Identify any problems within the section, working co-operatively with others to solve the problem, using knowledge and experience to arrive at the best conclusion.
9. Use interpretive and judgement skills to ensure that each case is given the appropriate treatment and prioritisation.
10. Monitor internal and external quality control results, taking appropriate action to identify, correct and report problems.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• MSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
• Registration with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) as a Biomedical Scientist
• IBMS specialist diploma in Cellular Pathology or equivalent experience.
• Membership with IBMS
• IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice in Training

Experience

• Experience in all aspects of routine surgical histology
• Experience of working in a UKAS accredited laboratory
• Experience of the IBMS registration and specialist portfolios
• Experience in immunohistochemistry and specialist staining techniques
• Experience of training and competency assessment
• Wider experience of specialist histology practices

Knowledge

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• Able to prioritise workload and carry out duties unsupervised
• Able to cope under pressure
• Demonstrates initiative and leadership qualities
• Able to problem solve and supervise corrective actions
• Experience of IBMS portfolio assessments

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.