Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated, experienced Histopathology biomedical scientist to joint our team to cover maternity leave until13th October 2026
Whilst the core hours of the department are 08:30 - 17:00 with an early shift at 07:00, there are flexible working opportunities available.
To be successful as a specialist / team leader (Band 6) it is essential that you hold professional registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and hold the IBMS specialist portfolio in Histopathology . As this is maternity leave cover you must have recent experience working in the NHS as a biomedical scientist.
Main duties of the job
The role will be within the histology surgical section (embedding and microtomy) and performing quality control, with some trouble shooting once familiar with the section . When leading your role is to ensure the throughput of work to maintain the laboratory turnaround to provide pathologists with tests in a timely manner to support the diagnostic pathway for cancer patients.
About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.
We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.
These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Scientific and Clinical Responsibilities
- Analyses potentially infectious samples using a range of highly specialised laboratory procedures, by either manual or automated techniques, to produce results of a quality consistent with excellent patient care. Undertakes these duties in all areas of the Department.
- Ensures efficient use and maintenance of resources, is aware of stock levels and rotation, storage conditions, batch numbers and expiry dates, thus ensuring the viability of the reagents and/or blood products used.
- Exercises own initiative and works in co-operation with other staff members to ensure that the workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner.
- Is fully conversant with departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), ensuring that personal performance complies with United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and other professional standards.
- Carries out troubleshooting and preventative maintenance on highly complex automated systems. Ensures appropriate records are kept and liaises with senior staff and service engineers where appropriate.
- Matches samples with request forms and inputs patient and test information into the laboratory computer system, requiring complete accuracy.
Analytical and Interpretative Responsibilities
- Exercises individual skills through the observation and interpretation of clinical material or data, which may include therapeutic drug monitoring.
- Completes the work process by the verification and validation of results and report generation. This involves the interpretation of clinical data and requires in-depth theoretical knowledge.
- Recommends additional tests where appropriate to assist the requesting clinician in the diagnostic process.
Role Responsibilities
- Practices in accordance with the professional, ethical and legal codes of the Health Professions Council and the Trusts protocols and guidelines. Is accountable for own practice and maintenance of Registration status.
- Develops own skills, taking responsibility for Continuing Professional Development and performance.
- Complies with the requirements of internal and external/national quality assurance schemes.
- Demonstrates proficiency in the assessment, planning and prioritisation of tasks.
- Communicates effectively with other staff groups, both internal and external. To include healthcare professionals, patients and their representatives, external agencies, commercial suppliers, service engineers and visitors to the laboratory.
- Provides and receives complex scientific and clinical information to and from colleagues and service users. Is aware of barriers to understanding and is able to present information accordingly.
- Provides and receives sensitive information to and from patients and their representatives where empathic and re-assurance skills are required. May include notification of adverse events.
- Displays and maintains an appropriate level of IT skills.
Teaching, Training and Research Responsibilities
- Participates in the supervision and training of Trainee BMSs, support staff and clinical staff where required.
Other Responsibilities
- Demonstrates specialist skill and professional knowledge acquired through post -registration academic and scientific development.
- Demonstrates continuing ability to work individually and unsupervised to a level required in the provision of the out of hours service for lone working on shift or on call.
- Works to ensure that performance targets and sample turnaround timesare met by continually assessing quality and priority of work.
- Has awareness of the requirements of Clinical Governance, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and local Health and Safety Policies, reporting problems, errors or breaches via the appropriate mechanisms.
- Assists in improving and developing departmental quality by challenging and questioning practice, contributing ideas as appropriate and participating in the change management process, in conjunction with senior staff.
- To attend regular appraisal in accordance with the Trust Policy.
- To maintain good work relations with all members of staff and to promote effective team working taking action when own or others behaviour undermines equality and diversity.
- To treat everyone associated with the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with courtesy and respect.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Scientific and Clinical Responsibilities
- Analyses potentially infectious samples using a range of highly specialised laboratory procedures, by either manual or automated techniques, to produce results of a quality consistent with excellent patient care. Undertakes these duties in all areas of the Department.
- Ensures efficient use and maintenance of resources, is aware of stock levels and rotation, storage conditions, batch numbers and expiry dates, thus ensuring the viability of the reagents and/or blood products used.
- Exercises own initiative and works in co-operation with other staff members to ensure that the workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner.
- Is fully conversant with departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), ensuring that personal performance complies with United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and other professional standards.
- Carries out troubleshooting and preventative maintenance on highly complex automated systems. Ensures appropriate records are kept and liaises with senior staff and service engineers where appropriate.
- Matches samples with request forms and inputs patient and test information into the laboratory computer system, requiring complete accuracy.
Analytical and Interpretative Responsibilities
- Exercises individual skills through the observation and interpretation of clinical material or data, which may include therapeutic drug monitoring.
- Completes the work process by the verification and validation of results and report generation. This involves the interpretation of clinical data and requires in-depth theoretical knowledge.
- Recommends additional tests where appropriate to assist the requesting clinician in the diagnostic process.
Role Responsibilities
- Practices in accordance with the professional, ethical and legal codes of the Health Professions Council and the Trusts protocols and guidelines. Is accountable for own practice and maintenance of Registration status.
- Develops own skills, taking responsibility for Continuing Professional Development and performance.
- Complies with the requirements of internal and external/national quality assurance schemes.
- Demonstrates proficiency in the assessment, planning and prioritisation of tasks.
- Communicates effectively with other staff groups, both internal and external. To include healthcare professionals, patients and their representatives, external agencies, commercial suppliers, service engineers and visitors to the laboratory.
- Provides and receives complex scientific and clinical information to and from colleagues and service users. Is aware of barriers to understanding and is able to present information accordingly.
- Provides and receives sensitive information to and from patients and their representatives where empathic and re-assurance skills are required. May include notification of adverse events.
- Displays and maintains an appropriate level of IT skills.
Teaching, Training and Research Responsibilities
- Participates in the supervision and training of Trainee BMSs, support staff and clinical staff where required.
Other Responsibilities
- Demonstrates specialist skill and professional knowledge acquired through post -registration academic and scientific development.
- Demonstrates continuing ability to work individually and unsupervised to a level required in the provision of the out of hours service for lone working on shift or on call.
- Works to ensure that performance targets and sample turnaround timesare met by continually assessing quality and priority of work.
- Has awareness of the requirements of Clinical Governance, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and local Health and Safety Policies, reporting problems, errors or breaches via the appropriate mechanisms.
- Assists in improving and developing departmental quality by challenging and questioning practice, contributing ideas as appropriate and participating in the change management process, in conjunction with senior staff.
- To attend regular appraisal in accordance with the Trust Policy.
- To maintain good work relations with all members of staff and to promote effective team working taking action when own or others behaviour undermines equality and diversity.
- To treat everyone associated with the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with courtesy and respect.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC registration
- IBMS Post graduate diploma in specific discipline or equivalent knowledge
- Evidence of participation in CPD
Desirable
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- Experience of all the basic techniques within histology
- Experience in an NHS histology laboratory
Desirable
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Keyboard skills
- Knowledge of laboratory information systems
- Practical and analytical skills associated with diagnostic lab work
Desirable
- Previous experience with equipment in use at OUH
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to cut a minimum of 25 blocks per hour
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC registration
- IBMS Post graduate diploma in specific discipline or equivalent knowledge
- Evidence of participation in CPD
Desirable
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- Experience of all the basic techniques within histology
- Experience in an NHS histology laboratory
Desirable
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Keyboard skills
- Knowledge of laboratory information systems
- Practical and analytical skills associated with diagnostic lab work
Desirable
- Previous experience with equipment in use at OUH
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to cut a minimum of 25 blocks per hour
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
