Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Cellular Pathology Dissection (XR06)

The closing date is 26 June 2025

Job summary

We are seeking a skilled and enthusiastic individual to join the Cellular Pathology Department in a Specialist Biomedical Scientist role focussing on Dissection.

Applications are invited from highly motivated HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists who hold the IBMS Specialist Diploma (or equivalent) in Cellular Pathology.

Experience of histology laboratory techniques including tissue dissection is essential. Ideally, applicants will hold the IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Histological Dissection, or be working towards it. Candidates who have not yet started this qualification may be considered and support would be given for this.

We are a continually improving and innovative department. We were the first laboratory in the UK digitally scanning all surgical slides and the first to introduce automated tissue sectioners to the UK. We are a regional Cellular Pathology Genomics Centre and pilot site for the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad. The department has appointed a Transformation Lead to support with development of the service and is also supported by a Pathology Technology & Innovation Lead. We are an IBMS accredited training lab and strive for high quality staff and processes.

The department operates Monday to Saturday 7:30 to 7:30 with standard day and extended day shifts.

Interviews for this post will be w/c 7th July

Main duties of the job

As a Specialist Biomedical Scientist you will be expected to perform a range of specialist clinical technical investigations. You may be required to work alone or independently, for example when working on-call. You will have the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute towards the provision of an accurate, timely service for patients. You will be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills to technically complex and sometimes difficult situations. You may be required to organize the tasks of support workers.

The post holder will primarily assist in the day to day running of reception/cut-up areas, under supervision/delegation of the Advanced Biomedical Scientist.

You will participate in BMS led dissection, including transfer, simple and complex macroscopic description and block selection of specialities such as skin, GI and gynae.

This will also involve QC and EQA authorisation, training, risk and incident assessment and investigation and HR procedures.

About us

The department provides Histopathology, Non Gynae Cytology, Andrology, Muscle, Nerve, Immunohistochemistry, Molecular, and Mortuary services for Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and surrounding primary care centres.

We are a well equipped and innovative department being the first laboratory in the UK digitally scanning 100% of surgical slides, also introducing the UK's first automated tissue sectioners. We process circa 58,000 surgical cases, 2,000 autopsy cases and 6000 non-gynaecological cytology cases per annum. We are a continually improving department, striving for high quality staff and processes. As a training hospital we serve to expand the knowledge and skills of all staff. There are plenty of opportunities to become involved, and further development is encouraged. We have UKAS accreditation to ISO15189 standards. We endeavour to follow 'The Leeds Way' at all times putting the patient first at all times.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Date posted

05 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9298-PATH-450

Job locations

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Job description

Job responsibilities

Although based at St James University Hospital you may be required to rotate to other sites and sections within LTHT, and once competent you will be required to take part in the departmental on call rota.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical/ Scientific /Technical

Perform a wide range of complex technical procedures. These will include the safe and effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. Your level of knowledge and understanding of these procedures will be consistent with that to allow you to recognise system failures and errors. You will understand the need to report adverse events in the event of such errors and failures using appropriate laboratory and Trust policies.

Use of LIMS to enter, manage, retrieve, interpret, validate and authorise complex patient information and results.

To be an integral member of a team providing a clinical technical service and a high quality laboratory service.

To work independently when and as required by the service, for instance when working alone in the provision of the emergency on-call service or providing urgent results. The postholder as a specialist scientist within their field will be guided by principles and broad occupational policies/SOPs within the confines of the Quality Management System.

To work with precision and follow accurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures

Communication of complex, clinical technical information to users of the service to users of the service in a manner that is in accordance with departmental procedures. This may include providing specialist clinical technical advice to clinical teams

Have knowledge and understanding of current national legislation and guidelines relevant to the speciality

To undertake specialist clinical technical investigations for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease

Under direction of the team lead co-ordinates effective workflow management with prioritisation of samples received within specialist area

Development and validation of in house quality control material and reagents in conjunction with section leadership.

To participate in equipment testing, validation and adaptation as a function of service development

To operate, maintain highly complex laboratory equipment safely and efficiently. Use specialist expertise for complex trouble shooting and resolution of technical equipment failure and analytical processes.

This job requires a high degree of dexterity and precision when manipulating small tools such as pipettes, handling very small volumes of clinical material or when preparing microscope slides for examination by others. In order to achieve the required turnaround times the work must be performed with both speed and accuracy

Leadership and Management

To provide leadership and contribute to general departmental management, for instance, by producing rotas, assisting in the ordering, receipt and control of consumables,

HR responsibilities including actively participating in line management, attendance management, recruitment and departmental appraisal scheme.

The postholder will be responsible for the day to day management of a group of staff and the supervision of qualified staff or students.

To plan and prioritise the designated workload within a laboratory section and assist in the organization of tasks undertaken by other scientists and support workers

To demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate and complete relevant training and competency paperwork

To take account of changes in service delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work

Actively supports and encourages individual and team development

To deputise for more senior staff where appropriate

Leads waste reduction incentives for designated area

Contributes to management reports

Supports collaborative team working across all sections.

Quality / Training

To be involved in the production of laboratory documentation such as SOPs, risk assessments and training records

Supports a robust programme of training and competency assessment within the area of specialist responsibility, ensuring that procedures are only undertaken by staff with the requisite knowledge and skills at all times

To contribute actively towards the improvement of service quality by participation in relevant discussions with other team members including staff and departmental meetings

Participate actively in departmental internal and external quality assurance schemes. Your level of knowledge and understanding will allow you to recognise when expected levels of quality have not been met.

Manages key performance indicators in specialist area. This includes supporting section lead in the monitoring and performance of IQC and EQA.

Support appropriate clinical trials involving the laboratory

Contributes to audit completion in specialist area

Contributes to H&S compliance and audits in specialist area

Contributes to QMS compliance/alignment in specialist area

Conducts incident investigations and risk management including Datix

Monitoring of results to identify any unexpected trends in assay performance

Supports with research, development and evaluation of new methods/instruments/tests, including verification of new technologies/tests in specialist area

Leads continuous service improvement in specialist area

Leads service continuity plans for specialist area

Leads implementation of corrective actions from audits

Maintain patient confidentiality. You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information that is related to patient care.

Observe the requirements of departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample labelling and adverse event reporting.

To maintain registered status as a biomedical scientist with the Health Care Professions Council

Participate in the maintenance of a safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards associated with your work. In addition you will be made aware of any suitable actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards include fire, manual handling, breaches of security, controlled and uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials.

Other

To gain new knowledge through experience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes including CPD.

The post holder will be expected to gain competence in techniques to enable participation in the delivery of 24 hour Pathology service. This entails contracted participation in a 24/7 rota and / or the out of hour rota.

The post holder will be required to work cross site locations (LGI & SJUH) if the service requires it.

Any other duties commensurate with grade following discussion with line manager

This is not an exhaustive list of roles and responsibilities, and these may be subject to change with professional and service developments

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Effort:

Many tasks involve the job holder standing at equipment or sitting at the laboratory bench for extended periods.

This job may include movement of goods of light and moderate loads up to 15kg. There is the occasional requirement to move loads of 20kg with the aid of a trolley.

It is anticipated there will be the occasional requirement to exert moderate physical effort for several short periods in a shift.

Mental Effort:

The day to day repertoire of this job is diverse and the job holder can expect to be asked by supervisory staff to change tasks at short notice. In order to minimise errors concentration is required on a daily basis when processing specimens. Occasionally this may require prolonged concentration and is subject to workload.

The job holder is expected to operate complex laboratory equipment. This task requires concentration so that personal safety is maintained, and equipment is not damaged.

There is no requirement for the job holder to drive a vehicle

Emotional Effort:

In normal circumstances there is little patient contact by the job holder and exposure to emotional circumstances is limited. However, subject to the requirements of the speciality some patient contact may occur such as in the collection of capillary blood samples from children.

Occasional exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances when carrying out appraisal/investigations/disciplinary/attendance management duties

Working Conditions:

The post holder will work generally in a laboratory environment and may be required to sit or stand at the bench for prolonged periods. It is expected that the role will involve light to moderate physical effort. The post holder will be exposed to potentially infectious pathological samples on a daily basis with occasional exposure to other risks e.g. chemical encountered in the laboratory.

Exposure to physical aggressive behaviour is rare. Occasional exposure to verbal aggression occurs during telephone communication with service users