Job summary
Applications are invited for a dynamic, conscientious and enthusiastic person who has extensive experience of working in a busy histology laboratory.
The post-holder will provide day-to-day operational support for diagnostic laboratory services working in collaboration with the Service Delivery Manager and the Head of Department. The role will act as a lead scientist and training officer for laboratory operations overseeing a team of biomedical scientists and laboratory support staff.
The Department provides high-quality, UKAS accredited services for diagnosis of tumours and other pathologies of the nervous system. A wide range of CNS and PNS specimens are handled including Brain, Pituitary Gland, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Muscle, Nerve, Skin for Intra-Epidermal Nerve Fibre Density analysis (IENFD) and Epilepsy surgery. The department provides autopsy examinations for forensic neuropathology, particularly for head injury, and co-ordinates research projects and teaching courses in traumatic neuropathology. The department also provides clinical diagnosis for the Centre for Nervous Tissue Bio-Resource (Brain Bank) for Neurodegenerative Disease.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder is responsible for operations support delivering fit-for-purpose diagnostic services for the department of Clinical Neuropathology, working in collaboration with the Head of Department and the Service Delivery Manager. The post carries responsibility to act as the lead BMS for laboratory operations under supervision of the Service Delivery Manager with duties including but not limited to:
- Managing main laboratory areas to perform a range of analyses on tissue specimens.
- Performance and troubleshooting of examination procedures necessary for diagnosis of disease.
- Participating in and promoting an effective Quality Management System in close collaboration with the Quality Manager.
- Ensuring HTA compliance, requiring a strong understanding of current legislation and guidance.
- Responsibility as Training Officer for laboratory staff, promoting personal development, planning/delivering training and performing staff appraisals.
- Liaising with pathologists, clinicians and laboratory staff in other areas of the department and wider Trust to ensure a professional and efficient service.
- Being in charge of the day-to-day running of the Neuropathology laboratories, including stock and equipment management and personnel matters relating to non-medical staff.
About us
Your development and learning
You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.
Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Relationships
Departmental Service Delivery Manager (SDM)
Head of Department and Lead Consultant Neuropathologist (HoD)
Synnovis Tissue Sciences Quality Manager and Quality Officers (QM)
Duties and Responsibilities
Working with the SDM/HoD and QM as required:
Management and Supervisory
- Working with the SDM and the HoD the post holder will be responsible for day-to-day laboratory management to ensure and maintain a timely and efficient, high quality service through the effective management and deployment of staff and resources in the Neuropathology laboratories.
- To act as liaison between departmental sections ensuring smooth interactions concerning Histology, Immunocytochemistry, Whole Brain Examinations, Muscle, Nerve, IENFD skin, Electron Microscopy, Neuro-Molecular Genetics and the Centre for Nervous Tissue Bio-Resource (Brain Bank).
- The post will act as lead for laboratory operations providing technical expertise, working with the SDM to manage technical aspects of the service.
- Maintain records of leave and sickness on HR systems
- Conduct performance-planning reviews for support workers and biomedical scientists at appropriate grades, in conjunction with the SDM.
- To carry out and implement all policies and procedures relevant to the department.
- Continually improve the existing departmental workflows and to contribute actively to development and innovation of novel services.
- To manage stock control systems and reagents and consumables purchasing.
- To deputise for the SDM at times of absence.
- Participate in the recruitment and selection of BMS and support staff.
- Represent the laboratory in departmental Senior Management Group meetings as needed.
Scientific and Technical
- To contribute to the ongoing technical developments and innovation of Neuropathology laboratory services to meet the requirements of the department and service users.
- Maintain professional competency, dexterity and levels of concentration to carry out histological demonstration of tissue constituents on a range of samples using a variety of highly specialised techniques.
- To troubleshoot on equipment, technical and quality issues.
- To organise and coordinate equipment servicing and calibration with the pathology equipment support team.
- To regularly analyse the quality of work and provide advice as required.
- Introduce new laboratory methods in agreement with the SDM and HoD.
- To prepare and review laboratory protocols as needed.
- To advise on the selection of new and replacement equipment.
- To work as economically with ones time, equipment and consumables as is practicable to achieve work objectives
Quality Management
- To participate in QMS activities, working with the Quality Manager and Quality Officers to maintain the departments accreditation status with United Kingdom Accreditation Service Ltd.
- To organise and participate in internal quality control systems and all relevant external quality assessment schemes.
- To maintain a comprehensive selection of control materials ensuring accurate recording keeping and compliance with HTA legislation at all times.
- Completion of regular and ad-hoc audits as defined by the quality manual and under the direction of the Quality team.
Training and Development
- To maintain, update and develop knowledge and skills through Personal Development Plans to meet the requirements of professional bodies.
- To teach and train new and existing laboratory staff in highly specialised techniques.
- To record staff training as necessary.
- As Training Officer, to oversee the continuous professional development of appropriate non-medical staff.
- To ensure active participation of all laboratory staff in competency assessment procedures and personal professional development in line with the needs of the departmental services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Relationships
Departmental Service Delivery Manager (SDM)
Head of Department and Lead Consultant Neuropathologist (HoD)
Synnovis Tissue Sciences Quality Manager and Quality Officers (QM)
Duties and Responsibilities
Working with the SDM/HoD and QM as required:
Management and Supervisory
- Working with the SDM and the HoD the post holder will be responsible for day-to-day laboratory management to ensure and maintain a timely and efficient, high quality service through the effective management and deployment of staff and resources in the Neuropathology laboratories.
- To act as liaison between departmental sections ensuring smooth interactions concerning Histology, Immunocytochemistry, Whole Brain Examinations, Muscle, Nerve, IENFD skin, Electron Microscopy, Neuro-Molecular Genetics and the Centre for Nervous Tissue Bio-Resource (Brain Bank).
- The post will act as lead for laboratory operations providing technical expertise, working with the SDM to manage technical aspects of the service.
- Maintain records of leave and sickness on HR systems
- Conduct performance-planning reviews for support workers and biomedical scientists at appropriate grades, in conjunction with the SDM.
- To carry out and implement all policies and procedures relevant to the department.
- Continually improve the existing departmental workflows and to contribute actively to development and innovation of novel services.
- To manage stock control systems and reagents and consumables purchasing.
- To deputise for the SDM at times of absence.
- Participate in the recruitment and selection of BMS and support staff.
- Represent the laboratory in departmental Senior Management Group meetings as needed.
Scientific and Technical
- To contribute to the ongoing technical developments and innovation of Neuropathology laboratory services to meet the requirements of the department and service users.
- Maintain professional competency, dexterity and levels of concentration to carry out histological demonstration of tissue constituents on a range of samples using a variety of highly specialised techniques.
- To troubleshoot on equipment, technical and quality issues.
- To organise and coordinate equipment servicing and calibration with the pathology equipment support team.
- To regularly analyse the quality of work and provide advice as required.
- Introduce new laboratory methods in agreement with the SDM and HoD.
- To prepare and review laboratory protocols as needed.
- To advise on the selection of new and replacement equipment.
- To work as economically with ones time, equipment and consumables as is practicable to achieve work objectives
Quality Management
- To participate in QMS activities, working with the Quality Manager and Quality Officers to maintain the departments accreditation status with United Kingdom Accreditation Service Ltd.
- To organise and participate in internal quality control systems and all relevant external quality assessment schemes.
- To maintain a comprehensive selection of control materials ensuring accurate recording keeping and compliance with HTA legislation at all times.
- Completion of regular and ad-hoc audits as defined by the quality manual and under the direction of the Quality team.
Training and Development
- To maintain, update and develop knowledge and skills through Personal Development Plans to meet the requirements of professional bodies.
- To teach and train new and existing laboratory staff in highly specialised techniques.
- To record staff training as necessary.
- As Training Officer, to oversee the continuous professional development of appropriate non-medical staff.
- To ensure active participation of all laboratory staff in competency assessment procedures and personal professional development in line with the needs of the departmental services.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist.
- MSc or equivalent, in Cellular Pathology
Desirable
- Qualification in laboratory management
- Fellowship of IBMS
- Chartered Scientist
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 10 years in a Neuropathology/Histopathology laboratory.
- Proficient in a wide range of relevant histological techniques to be able to troubleshoot.
- Experience of laboratory information management systems.
- Knowledge of the requirements for ISO15189 accreditation.
Desirable
- Q-Pulse experience.
- Practical expertise in neuro-histological, electron microscopy and muscle histochemistry techniques.
- Previous or current involvement in scientific research.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Well-developed interpersonal skills, able to organize and manage own work and that of others.
- Excellent time management, able to multitask and work to deadlines.
Desirable
- Knowledge of laboratory design and safety guidelines.
- Knowledge of Human Tissue Act legislation.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist.
- MSc or equivalent, in Cellular Pathology
Desirable
- Qualification in laboratory management
- Fellowship of IBMS
- Chartered Scientist
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 10 years in a Neuropathology/Histopathology laboratory.
- Proficient in a wide range of relevant histological techniques to be able to troubleshoot.
- Experience of laboratory information management systems.
- Knowledge of the requirements for ISO15189 accreditation.
Desirable
- Q-Pulse experience.
- Practical expertise in neuro-histological, electron microscopy and muscle histochemistry techniques.
- Previous or current involvement in scientific research.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Well-developed interpersonal skills, able to organize and manage own work and that of others.
- Excellent time management, able to multitask and work to deadlines.
Desirable
- Knowledge of laboratory design and safety guidelines.
- Knowledge of Human Tissue Act legislation.
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).
