Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Histology

The closing date is 15 April 2026

Job summary

NHS Band 6: £39,959 - £48,117 per annum

Hours Per Week: 37.5 full time

Contract Type: permanent

We 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

The 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.

Main duties of the job

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 Responsibilities

The post holder will be expected to participate in the following activities:

Specimen reception and specimen requesting
Decalcification, X-ray, and Bandsaw use
Cut up assist and BMS transfers
Processing specimens
Embedding
Microtomy
H&E Staining
Internal Quality Control
Special staining
Immunohistochemistry
Renal/Liver/Lung biopsy preparation
Frozen Section and Immunofluorescence
Molecular referrals
Digital Pathology (Sectra PACS, using 3DHISTECH P1000 and P250 scanners)
Laboratory Information Management System (Clinisys WPE).

About us

Here 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.

Date posted

02 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

REF2172L

Job locations

Queen Alexandra Hospital

Southwick Hill Road

Cosham

Portsmouth

PO6 3LY

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be required:

Technical:

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 measure and monitor the accuracy of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
To undertake validation of complex results from laboratory investigations to ensure accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols
To plan and organise individual work within the demands of the team.
To oversee the calibration of laboratory instruments.
To act as section lead, reporting to Laboratory Management when quality control procedures indicate loss of performance of the laboratory instruments or methods.
To report to the Histopathology Clinical Lead, Laboratory Management, and other senior staff when there is a situation which may cause a service delivery failure.
To participate in the pre-analytical and post-analytical processing of specimens and laboratory results
To advise, as necessary, staff and users of the Histopathology service on sample techniques under the supervision of the senior BMS
In conjunction with other senior staff invoke corrective action for technical difficulties arising during specimen preparation
To process time-sensitive samples and assess suitability of samples provided.

Scientific:

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.

Clinical:

To participate in the processing and reporting of time-sensitive Cellular Pathology samples
To participate in the processing and evaluation of Histopathology samples
To maintain the nationally required standard by laboratory participation in relevant External Quality Assurance schemes
To participate in audits, as required.
To ensure Consultant Pathologists are aware of any results requiring urgent clinical action.

Laboratory Informatics:

To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure, and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
To use the Laboratory Information System according to the authorised protocols.
To maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases
To undertake training to ensure awareness of changes in the information systems.

Administrative:

To ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of UKAS.
To assist in preparation and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures
To participate in the quality management processes
To undertake work-file management to ensure that all results are reported within the agreed turnaround time.
To train, develop and assess the competence of Medical Laboratory Assistants / Associate Practitioners and lower grade Biomedical Scientists if required.
To supervise the work performance of Medical Laboratory Assistants and lower grade Biomedical Scientists if required
To participate in monitoring supplies of reagents and consumables and assist in the ordering and receipting of stock.

General:

To perform all duties to the best of the post holders ability under conditions which are often stressful due to time constraints, staffing levels, environmental conditions and nature of samples received.
To monitor own test reporting levels in reference to national standards, and to notify laboratory management if uncertainties are encountered.
To participate in an annual appraisal and personal development review and appraise lower grade staff.
To partake in the departmental out of hours on call service
To maintain registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
To maintain professional competence and be aware of developments in areas of responsibility and other biomedical sciences.
To demonstrate continual professional development to maintain skills and knowledge and maintain essential skills compliance.
To co-operate with other departmental and hospital staff to promote awareness of the professional image of Pathology throughout the Trust.
To co-operate with other departmental and hospital staff to promote awareness of the professional image of Pathology throughout the Trust.
To deputise for the senior BMS staff, when required.

For further information please refer to full job description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be required:

Technical:

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 measure and monitor the accuracy of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
To undertake validation of complex results from laboratory investigations to ensure accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols
To plan and organise individual work within the demands of the team.
To oversee the calibration of laboratory instruments.
To act as section lead, reporting to Laboratory Management when quality control procedures indicate loss of performance of the laboratory instruments or methods.
To report to the Histopathology Clinical Lead, Laboratory Management, and other senior staff when there is a situation which may cause a service delivery failure.
To participate in the pre-analytical and post-analytical processing of specimens and laboratory results
To advise, as necessary, staff and users of the Histopathology service on sample techniques under the supervision of the senior BMS
In conjunction with other senior staff invoke corrective action for technical difficulties arising during specimen preparation
To process time-sensitive samples and assess suitability of samples provided.

Scientific:

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.

Clinical:

To participate in the processing and reporting of time-sensitive Cellular Pathology samples
To participate in the processing and evaluation of Histopathology samples
To maintain the nationally required standard by laboratory participation in relevant External Quality Assurance schemes
To participate in audits, as required.
To ensure Consultant Pathologists are aware of any results requiring urgent clinical action.

Laboratory Informatics:

To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure, and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
To use the Laboratory Information System according to the authorised protocols.
To maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases
To undertake training to ensure awareness of changes in the information systems.

Administrative:

To ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of UKAS.
To assist in preparation and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures
To participate in the quality management processes
To undertake work-file management to ensure that all results are reported within the agreed turnaround time.
To train, develop and assess the competence of Medical Laboratory Assistants / Associate Practitioners and lower grade Biomedical Scientists if required.
To supervise the work performance of Medical Laboratory Assistants and lower grade Biomedical Scientists if required
To participate in monitoring supplies of reagents and consumables and assist in the ordering and receipting of stock.

General:

To perform all duties to the best of the post holders ability under conditions which are often stressful due to time constraints, staffing levels, environmental conditions and nature of samples received.
To monitor own test reporting levels in reference to national standards, and to notify laboratory management if uncertainties are encountered.
To participate in an annual appraisal and personal development review and appraise lower grade staff.
To partake in the departmental out of hours on call service
To maintain registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
To maintain professional competence and be aware of developments in areas of responsibility and other biomedical sciences.
To demonstrate continual professional development to maintain skills and knowledge and maintain essential skills compliance.
To co-operate with other departmental and hospital staff to promote awareness of the professional image of Pathology throughout the Trust.
To co-operate with other departmental and hospital staff to promote awareness of the professional image of Pathology throughout the Trust.
To deputise for the senior BMS staff, when required.

For further information please refer to full job description.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

The 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 skills
Demonstration of good interpersonal skills.
Conscientious, methodical approach to duties
The ability to interact directly with colleagues bringing in samples in a sensitive and respectful manner.
An understanding of the political sensitivities of the Trust
Ability 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 calm
Prepared to handle clinical samples.

Qualifications

Essential

An accredited BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent.
Current Registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Desirable

Member of the IBMS.
IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Cellular Pathology or equivalent.

Experience

Essential

Previous 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.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

The 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 skills
Demonstration of good interpersonal skills.
Conscientious, methodical approach to duties
The ability to interact directly with colleagues bringing in samples in a sensitive and respectful manner.
An understanding of the political sensitivities of the Trust
Ability 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 calm
Prepared to handle clinical samples.

Qualifications

Essential

An accredited BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent.
Current Registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Desirable

Member of the IBMS.
IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Cellular Pathology or equivalent.

Experience

Essential

Previous 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.

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).