Senior Biomedical Scientist Non-Gynae Cytology

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. . Service Leadership and Operational Accountability

Provide senior operational and professional leadership for the Cytology service, ensuring safe, timely, and high-quality diagnostic delivery from sample receipt through to reporting support and archiving.

Take delegated day-to-day responsibility for service performance, workflow management, capacity planning, and escalation of operational issues within the Cytology service.

Work collaboratively with Cellular Pathology management, Laboratory Managers, Team Leaders, and clinical colleagues to support service resilience and continuity.

2. Quality Management, Governance and Accreditation

Support the implementation and maintenance of compliance with UKAS ISO 15189, Trust policies, and relevant national standards within the Cytology service.

Ensure effective quality control, quality assurance, internal audit participation, non-conformance management, and CAPA implementation within managed areas.

Participate in the investigation of incidents, complaints, and service risks, ensuring learning is shared and improvements embedded.

Ensure SOPs, validation records, and document control systems are maintained, accessible, and adhered to.

3. Workforce Management, Training and Development

Provide line management and professional supervision for Team Leaders and senior cytology staff, ensuring appropriate delegation and support.

Support workforce planning, recruitment, induction, appraisal, performance management, and absence management in line with Trust policies.

Ensure staff are trained, competent, and authorised for their roles, with clear competency assessment and training frameworks in place.

Promote staff wellbeing, CPD, equality, and a positive team culture within a specialist service environment.

4. Technical Oversight and Specialist Practice

Maintain specialist oversight of cytology laboratory processes, including sample preparation, screening support, reporting workflows, archiving, and to take an active role in clinic adequacy services.

Provide senior technical advice and problem-solving support in complex or specialist situations, escalating issues as appropriate.

Support validation, verification, and implementation of new techniques, equipment, and workflows, including digital cytology developments.

5. Audit, Research and Service Improvement

Support service-led audits, quality improvement projects, and innovation within Cytology.

Assist with laboratory support for research or clinical trial activity where applicable, ensuring traceability, documentation, and quality standards are maintained.

Use audit outcomes and performance data to inform service improvement.

6. Resources, Equipment and Infrastructure

Support stock control, procurement processes, and supplier liaison for cytology consumables and equipment.

Ensure laboratory equipment is appropriately maintained, validated, and fit for purpose.

Contribute to planning for service capacity, sustainability, and future development.

7. Health, Safety and Risk Management

Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, COSHH, infection prevention, and local risk management procedures.

Identify and escalate operational and clinical risks, supporting the implementation of control measures.

Promote a positive safety culture within the Cytology service.

8. Communication and Service Contribution

Act as a key operational contact for Cytology-related matters.

Contribute performance information, reports, and assurance to Cellular Pathology management and governance meetings.

Support service change, expansion, and restructure under the direction of senior management.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Approve degree
• HPC registration
• MSc or relevant experience

Experience

Essential

• Relevant post registration experience in a histopathology laboratory
• In depth specialist knowledge of histology

Desirable

• Evidence of practical experience in: non-gynae cytology, immunocytochemistry, renal and muscle biopsies.

Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Demonstrate knowledge of patient confidentiality
• Working knowledge of computers
• Understand and implements quality assurance
• Understanding of the need for health and safety in relation to themselves and others

Skills

Essential

• Evidence of a flexible and adaptable approach to work
• Good time keeping
• Evidence of ability to interact with other groups of staff
• Self confidence
• Evidence of good verbal skills

Desirable

• Previous supervisory experience
• Managing minor breaches of discipline
• Motivational skills
• Evidence of ability to write documents
• Experience of in-house training of staff
• Undertake Risk Assessments
• Experience in managing health and safety

Other

Essential

• Flexible and adaptable approach to work
• Good time keeping
• Self confidence

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.

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

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Liverpool Clinical Laboratories

Liverpool

L7 8YE

Employer's website

https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)