Job summary
Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Fixed Term Contract until 09/05/25)
Department: Cellular Pathology
Band 6: £35,392 - £42,618 pa
Hours: 36 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The Cellular Pathology department is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, proactive, and experienced individual to take up the post of Specialist Biomedical Scientist in our professional and friendly team, on a fixed term basis to cover a period of maternity leave. The fixed term contract will end on 09/05/25.
The individual will be a key member of the Cellular Pathology team participating in routine and specialist duties that enable the day-to-day operational delivery of the Cellular Pathology laboratory service.
Suitable candidates must be HCPC registered and possess a BSc in an appropriate discipline. The successful candidate will be a professional with strong technical and troubleshooting skills, and the ability to communicate confidently and effectively with staff at all levels. The suitable candidate will work as part of a team of scientific and support staff to deliver a diagnostic service that meets accreditation & regulatory requirements to deliver effective patient care.
For more information, please contact Amanda Brice, Cellular Pathology Laboratory Manager or Marie Delaney, Chief BMS/Operational Manager on 01908 995820
Interview date: 13/08/2024
Main duties of the job
To provide a high quality, responsive and comprehensive Cellular Pathology service for the trust and its users.
To work as part of a team of Biomedical Scientists and support workers, using extensive specialist knowledge and expertise to assist in the provision of all aspects of a Cellular Pathology service.
Have knowledge and experience of ISO 15189 standards and quality management systems.
To work with the laboratory management and technical team to ensure compliance with regulatory standards including those of ISO 15189, the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and screening programmes.
Help the Cellular Pathology team to meet departmental and trust KPI's.
To work in accordance with trust health and safety policy and departmental policies to deliver a safe, high-quality service for its users.
To comply with clinical governance and risk management policies and ensure all mandatory training is completed in accordance with the trust guidelines.
Assist with training and education activity.
About us
MKUH staff scored highest for 'I look forward to coming to work' (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working Relationships
To practice speciality within a managed environment.
To work both independently and as part of a departmental team.
To attend departmental, directorate and other meetings as required.
To attend specialist external training and educational courses as required.
Main Responsibilities
To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.
Always maintain a professional approach to work behaving courteously and with professional maturity.
To be accountable for your own professional actions and maintain high personal standards of work.
To organise your daily duties in the provision of a quality service.
Work in a safe manner in accordance with department and trust health and safety and risk management policies.
To maintain a high standard of confidentiality and always comply with relevant Trust policies.
Effective time management and prioritisation of your workload to take part in the daily routine and specialist work of the department.
Prioritise clinically urgent and 2WW cases and maintain the workflow of all cases through the lab to meet turnaround times in line with departmental KPIs.
To undertake all activity appropriate to the role to support the Pathology Quality Management System, including the use of QPulse for the production, maintenance, and update of departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in accordance with the laboratory quality manual.
With suitable training participate in quality audits as required and suggest and implement quality improvements as required.
To use experience, knowledge, and judgement to make decisions on laboratory results. To interpret complex multifactorial results and take appropriate actions in line with laboratory procedures. e.g., microscopic crystal analysis and reporting of synovial fluid aspirates.
Safe use of laboratory equipment, in accordance with SOPs to support production of tissue blocks and slides to enable diagnostic reporting and delivery of a timely and efficient Cellular Pathology service. This will include tissue processors, embedding stations, microtomes, staining machines, IHC platforms, microscopes and digital scanners.
To ensure that appropriate preventative maintenance has been carried out on laboratory equipment prior to them being used for patient investigations and that maintenance records, written and electronic, are kept up to date.
The scanning of slides into the Digital Image Management System using the departments digital scanning equipment for internal MDT, referral, and reporting. Regular scheduling, running and maintenance of the digital scanners to ensure optimal workflows.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working Relationships
To practice speciality within a managed environment.
To work both independently and as part of a departmental team.
To attend departmental, directorate and other meetings as required.
To attend specialist external training and educational courses as required.
Main Responsibilities
To establish effective and collaborative working relationships with key staff.
Always maintain a professional approach to work behaving courteously and with professional maturity.
To be accountable for your own professional actions and maintain high personal standards of work.
To organise your daily duties in the provision of a quality service.
Work in a safe manner in accordance with department and trust health and safety and risk management policies.
To maintain a high standard of confidentiality and always comply with relevant Trust policies.
Effective time management and prioritisation of your workload to take part in the daily routine and specialist work of the department.
Prioritise clinically urgent and 2WW cases and maintain the workflow of all cases through the lab to meet turnaround times in line with departmental KPIs.
To undertake all activity appropriate to the role to support the Pathology Quality Management System, including the use of QPulse for the production, maintenance, and update of departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in accordance with the laboratory quality manual.
With suitable training participate in quality audits as required and suggest and implement quality improvements as required.
To use experience, knowledge, and judgement to make decisions on laboratory results. To interpret complex multifactorial results and take appropriate actions in line with laboratory procedures. e.g., microscopic crystal analysis and reporting of synovial fluid aspirates.
Safe use of laboratory equipment, in accordance with SOPs to support production of tissue blocks and slides to enable diagnostic reporting and delivery of a timely and efficient Cellular Pathology service. This will include tissue processors, embedding stations, microtomes, staining machines, IHC platforms, microscopes and digital scanners.
To ensure that appropriate preventative maintenance has been carried out on laboratory equipment prior to them being used for patient investigations and that maintenance records, written and electronic, are kept up to date.
The scanning of slides into the Digital Image Management System using the departments digital scanning equipment for internal MDT, referral, and reporting. Regular scheduling, running and maintenance of the digital scanners to ensure optimal workflows.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist
- BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
- Specialist Portfolio or equivalent
- Specialist scientific knowledge in Cellular Pathology to underpin the technical aspects of service delivery
- Understanding of ISO 15189 standards for medical laboratories
- Knowledge and understanding of quality assurance.
- Knowledge of professional Health and safety regulations
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development
Desirable
- Awareness of wider NHS/Pathology initiatives
Experience
Essential
- Experience as a HCPC registered BMS in Cellular Pathology
- Extensive experience of routine and specialist histology procedures to include immunohistochemistry.
- Work within scope and limitation of practice.
- Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Experience of using a LIMS
- Experience of quality management
Desirable
- Staff training and competency assessment
Skills
Essential
- Possess excellent practical skills
- Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting priorities and complete tasks within given timeframes.
- Effective team worker
- Good communication and organizational skills
- Proficient IT skills including the use of MS Office software.
- Technical and scientific troubleshooting skills
Desirable
- Teaching skills
- Use of QMS tools e.g., QPulse.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity.
- Self motivated and patient focused.
- Flexible approach
- Enthusiastic
- Demonstrate reliability and commitment
Desirable
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.
- Effective listening skills
- Good interpersonal skills.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist
- BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
- Specialist Portfolio or equivalent
- Specialist scientific knowledge in Cellular Pathology to underpin the technical aspects of service delivery
- Understanding of ISO 15189 standards for medical laboratories
- Knowledge and understanding of quality assurance.
- Knowledge of professional Health and safety regulations
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development
Desirable
- Awareness of wider NHS/Pathology initiatives
Experience
Essential
- Experience as a HCPC registered BMS in Cellular Pathology
- Extensive experience of routine and specialist histology procedures to include immunohistochemistry.
- Work within scope and limitation of practice.
- Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Experience of using a LIMS
- Experience of quality management
Desirable
- Staff training and competency assessment
Skills
Essential
- Possess excellent practical skills
- Ability to prioritise and manage conflicting priorities and complete tasks within given timeframes.
- Effective team worker
- Good communication and organizational skills
- Proficient IT skills including the use of MS Office software.
- Technical and scientific troubleshooting skills
Desirable
- Teaching skills
- Use of QMS tools e.g., QPulse.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity.
- Self motivated and patient focused.
- Flexible approach
- Enthusiastic
- Demonstrate reliability and commitment
Desirable
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English.
- Effective listening skills
- Good interpersonal skills.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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.
