Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6)

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

The closing date is 08 October 2024

Job summary

Applications are invited from motivated, enthusiastic and improvement oriented HCPC registered biomedical scientists to join the Cellular Pathology Department at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. We are UKAS accredited, an IBMS approved training laboratory and one of the best performing departments in the country.

The post holder would be working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend working required.

As part of a combined team of Consultant Pathologists, Biomedical Scientists, Medical Laboratory Assistants and other support staff you will be given the freedom to work within the departments process and to help embed our Trust-wide improvement methodology as we strive to provide the best possible cellular pathology service for patients in Worcestershire.

For further information, please contact Will Davies, Cellular Pathology Services Manager on 01905 760230 or via email: will.davies1@nhs.net

Main duties of the job

To follow agreed protocols & policies seeking advice where appropriate from more senior staff.
To problem solve autonomously and implement resolutions.
To actively engage with the improvement methodology adopted by the Trust.
To work in an efficient and timely manner and to be adaptable to change.
To work in a safe manner in accordance with departmental & Trust Health & Safety policies.
To contribute to care, maintenance & security of the laboratory premises & equipment.
To demonstrate a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory, colleagues and service users.
To respond to requests for information in a polite, helpful and concise manner.
To maintain confidentiality and conform with the Data Protection Act.
To work to quality standards for all aspects of the service as defined by the Pathology Directorate Quality Management System (QMS).
To participate in an annual Personal Development Review/ appraisal process as well as all necessary mandatory training; As part of the PDR process the postholders involvement and contribution to Quality Management will be reviewed along with their understanding and compliance with the current, relevant Trust objectives.
To be able to work alone in conjunction with SOPs with offsite technical supervision.

About us

Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester.

Our workforce is nearly 6,800 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision - working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move 4ward. Our 4ward behaviours, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Our objectives are simple:

Best services for local people
Best experience of care and best outcomes for our patients
Best use of resources
Best people

Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

Date posted

24 September 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9365-24-1069

Job locations

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

Job description

Job responsibilities

General duties:

To follow agreed protocols & policies seeking advice where appropriate from more senior staff.
To problem solve autonomously and implement resolutions.
To actively engage with the improvement methodology adopted by the Trust.
To work in an efficient and timely manner and to be adaptable to change.
To work in a safe manner in accordance with departmental & Trust Health & Safety policies.
To contribute to care, maintenance & security of the laboratory premises & equipment.
To demonstrate a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory, colleagues and service users.
To respond to requests for information in a polite, helpful and concise manner.
To maintain confidentiality and conform with the Data Protection Act.
To work to quality standards for all aspects of the service as defined by the Pathology Directorate Quality Management System (QMS).
To participate in an annual Personal Development Review/ appraisal process as well as all necessary mandatory training; As part of the PDR process the postholders involvement and contribution to Quality Management will be reviewed along with their understanding and compliance with the current, relevant Trust objectives.
To be able to work alone in conjunction with SOPs with offsite technical supervision.

Analytical duties:

To participate in the routine work of all sections of the department to provide our users with accurate and timely results.
To perform both routine and specialised tasks covering a variety of analytical equipment and manual techniques.
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.
To ensure that equipment is properly maintained on a day to day basis and operated in accordance with laboratory and manufacturers SOPs.
To be fully conversant with all forms of automated equipment within the Department, including being able to troubleshoot to ensure minimum downtime as consequence of minor breakdowns/ malfunctions.
The documentation of specimens, including the entry of computerised records.
The handling, processing and disposal of histological and cytological material including the sensitive disposal of products of conception and post-mortem tissues.
The embedding and orientation of tissue samples selected for diagnostic evaluation requiring significant knowledge and experience of histological and anatomical structure.
The production of microscopical preparations requiring extensive hand and eye coordination to produce high quality diagnostic sections using complex, skilled microtomy and handling techniques, for both paraffin wax and urgent diagnostic frozen sections.
To undertake routine and specialised histological, histochemical, and Immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescent investigations on diagnostic tissue specimens in accordance with Standard Operational Procedures.
To undertake routine quality control checks prior to releasing cases to pathologists for reporting.
To cut high quality frozen sections for urgent diagnosis or immunofluorescent technique.
To have precise pipetting skills where accuracy and precision are required.
To undertake investigations arising from UKNEQAS Quality Assessment participation, including Cellular Pathology Technique and Immunocytochemistry.
To implement quality control measures and checking in conjunction with the BMS Quality Lead and Quality Manager.
To carry out any other duties deemed reasonable and necessary to maintain a Cellular Pathology Service.

Specialist area:

To lead the section they are working in, providing training, advice and troubleshooting.
To complete macroscopical description and transfer into cassettes, of small biopsies, curettings etc (Category A Specimens).
To complete macroscopical description and dissection of samples including orientated skins, cervical loops, gall bladders etc (up to and including category C specimens).
To complete pre-dissection specimen preparation such as inking and slicing larger resection specimens (where required).
To take part in the weekly Mohs clinic cutting high quality frozen sections as a lone worker. (where required).
Undertake Quality control sign out of samples inc routine, specials, IHC.
Participates in all aspects of the QMS appropriate to grade. This includes: Equipment and maintenance logs, non conformance/Datix reporting, escalation for technical/analytical errors, SOP review, audits.

This job description will be subject to annual review and may be amended as necessary following consultation with the post holder.

Job description

Job responsibilities

General duties:

To follow agreed protocols & policies seeking advice where appropriate from more senior staff.
To problem solve autonomously and implement resolutions.
To actively engage with the improvement methodology adopted by the Trust.
To work in an efficient and timely manner and to be adaptable to change.
To work in a safe manner in accordance with departmental & Trust Health & Safety policies.
To contribute to care, maintenance & security of the laboratory premises & equipment.
To demonstrate a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory, colleagues and service users.
To respond to requests for information in a polite, helpful and concise manner.
To maintain confidentiality and conform with the Data Protection Act.
To work to quality standards for all aspects of the service as defined by the Pathology Directorate Quality Management System (QMS).
To participate in an annual Personal Development Review/ appraisal process as well as all necessary mandatory training; As part of the PDR process the postholders involvement and contribution to Quality Management will be reviewed along with their understanding and compliance with the current, relevant Trust objectives.
To be able to work alone in conjunction with SOPs with offsite technical supervision.

Analytical duties:

To participate in the routine work of all sections of the department to provide our users with accurate and timely results.
To perform both routine and specialised tasks covering a variety of analytical equipment and manual techniques.
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.
To ensure that equipment is properly maintained on a day to day basis and operated in accordance with laboratory and manufacturers SOPs.
To be fully conversant with all forms of automated equipment within the Department, including being able to troubleshoot to ensure minimum downtime as consequence of minor breakdowns/ malfunctions.
The documentation of specimens, including the entry of computerised records.
The handling, processing and disposal of histological and cytological material including the sensitive disposal of products of conception and post-mortem tissues.
The embedding and orientation of tissue samples selected for diagnostic evaluation requiring significant knowledge and experience of histological and anatomical structure.
The production of microscopical preparations requiring extensive hand and eye coordination to produce high quality diagnostic sections using complex, skilled microtomy and handling techniques, for both paraffin wax and urgent diagnostic frozen sections.
To undertake routine and specialised histological, histochemical, and Immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescent investigations on diagnostic tissue specimens in accordance with Standard Operational Procedures.
To undertake routine quality control checks prior to releasing cases to pathologists for reporting.
To cut high quality frozen sections for urgent diagnosis or immunofluorescent technique.
To have precise pipetting skills where accuracy and precision are required.
To undertake investigations arising from UKNEQAS Quality Assessment participation, including Cellular Pathology Technique and Immunocytochemistry.
To implement quality control measures and checking in conjunction with the BMS Quality Lead and Quality Manager.
To carry out any other duties deemed reasonable and necessary to maintain a Cellular Pathology Service.

Specialist area:

To lead the section they are working in, providing training, advice and troubleshooting.
To complete macroscopical description and transfer into cassettes, of small biopsies, curettings etc (Category A Specimens).
To complete macroscopical description and dissection of samples including orientated skins, cervical loops, gall bladders etc (up to and including category C specimens).
To complete pre-dissection specimen preparation such as inking and slicing larger resection specimens (where required).
To take part in the weekly Mohs clinic cutting high quality frozen sections as a lone worker. (where required).
Undertake Quality control sign out of samples inc routine, specials, IHC.
Participates in all aspects of the QMS appropriate to grade. This includes: Equipment and maintenance logs, non conformance/Datix reporting, escalation for technical/analytical errors, SOP review, audits.

This job description will be subject to annual review and may be amended as necessary following consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

HCPC State Registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
Approved BSc (Hons) degree in Biomedical Science.
IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Cellular Pathology or equivalent qualification.

Experience

Essential

At least two years post registration experience as a Band 5 in all aspects of routine surgical histology.
Experience of working with laboratory computer systems.
Experience of manual and automated immunohistochemistry techniques.
Experience of audits and non-conformities.

Desirable

Experience in an NHS clinical laboratory.
Experience of working with digital pathology platforms.
Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and LEAN workflows.
Experience of specimen dissection.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE

Essential

Good verbal and written communication skills.
Good organisational skills.
Ability to produce accurate and timely work
Knowledge of quality management systems.
Competent to work unsupervised.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential

Flexible attitude to work.
Good interpersonal skills.
Ability to work within a team and organise own work on a day to day basis, meeting deadlines and managing conflicting demands.
Good attention to detail.
Problem solving.

Desirable

Responds well to change and innovation.
Displays enthusiasm and energy.
Ability to identify personal development needs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

HCPC State Registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
Approved BSc (Hons) degree in Biomedical Science.
IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Cellular Pathology or equivalent qualification.

Experience

Essential

At least two years post registration experience as a Band 5 in all aspects of routine surgical histology.
Experience of working with laboratory computer systems.
Experience of manual and automated immunohistochemistry techniques.
Experience of audits and non-conformities.

Desirable

Experience in an NHS clinical laboratory.
Experience of working with digital pathology platforms.
Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies and LEAN workflows.
Experience of specimen dissection.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE

Essential

Good verbal and written communication skills.
Good organisational skills.
Ability to produce accurate and timely work
Knowledge of quality management systems.
Competent to work unsupervised.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential

Flexible attitude to work.
Good interpersonal skills.
Ability to work within a team and organise own work on a day to day basis, meeting deadlines and managing conflicting demands.
Good attention to detail.
Problem solving.

Desirable

Responds well to change and innovation.
Displays enthusiasm and energy.
Ability to identify personal development needs.

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.