Specialist Biomedical Scientist: Cellular Pathology
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a unique organisation, serving as the sole integrated provider in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire system. Our scope extends beyond boundaries as we oversee adult community services in Swindon and provide acute care from the Great Western Hospital.
Our 5,500 staff have 1.2m patient contacts a year, with 13,000 operations carried out in our Theatres, around 4,000 babies born, and our emergency attendances are now well over 100,000 per year. Those numbers only tell part of our story about what an exciting time it is to join Great Western Hospitals.
We are cultivating a culture that fosters our ambitions, prioritising equality, diversion, inclusion, wellbeing, and leadership. We aim to create an environment where every member of our team can truly thrive.
The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer; all applicants who have a disability can opt to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme, which means that, providing they meet the minimum essential criteria for the post, they will be offered an interview.We are also proudly accredited as a Veteran Aware organisation and have signed The Armed Forces Covenant.
If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close adverts prior to the published closing date. Therefore, we advise you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.
Job overview
PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY
We are seeking a Band 6 Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join our team.
The successful candidate will work as part of the Cellular Pathology team as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist involved in the technical preparation of specimens and performing defined procedures in accordance with standard operating procedures.This will include all aspects of the routine service provided by the department. The majority of this role involves technical work, with some quality management and human resource management processes.
Main duties of the job- As a HCPC-Registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist, perform a full range of analytical, technical and other laboratory duties within cellular pathology.
The daily technical activities of the histology and cytology laboratory include:
- Specimen dissection and preparation
- Microtomy.
- Embedding.
- Staining
- Quality Control.
- Immunohistochemistry. (Dako Omnis system)
- Computer work to process samples through the laboratory.
- Filing of slides or blocks if required.
- Collecting solvents if required.
- Non-Gynae Cytology and Andrology technical work.
This list is not exhaustive. The post holder will be required to undertake all histology techniques and ideally have previous experience in non-gynae cytology and andrology techniques although consideration of training requirements will be assessed.
Working for our organisation
“Our STAR values – Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect – are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community.Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.”
Detailed job description and main responsibilities- Follow departmental Standard Operating Procedures, risk assessments, etc., relating to technical work. Review documents of the quality management system where necessary and liaise with senior staff for any updates or changes required.
- Be responsible and work as part of a team to achieve optimal handling and throughput of the departmental workload to ensure specimens are processed in a timely manner.
- To participate in the departmental rota to ensure skills are maintained in each area of the laboratory and cover all areas specific to the post-holders level of competence. This may include early start times of 08.00 at times and late finishes up to 17:15 depending on service needs.
- Maintain professional competence and scientific skill in the performance of all tests and investigations.
- Use, and daily maintenance, of expensive specialist equipment (e.g. microscope with heated stage, cytospin, stainer, etc.) as part of day-to-day technical work.
- Deliver training in specialist technical processes and use of laboratory equipment/IT systems (Winpath and Qpulse) to new/less experienced staff.
- Answer queries from less experienced laboratory staff about how to carry out specialist technical processes and how to use laboratory IT systems, equipment, etc.
Person specification
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria- BSc(Hons) Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
- Registration with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) as a Biomedical Scientist
- IBMS specialist diploma in cellular pathology or equivalent.
- Member of IBMS
- Evidence of CPD
- Specialist training
Experience
Essential criteria- Previous experience of working in a diagnostic Cellular Pathology laboratory.
- Experienced in embedding, microtomy, staining histology samples.
- QC checking of samples
- Preparation at cut-up of BMS specimen dissection.
- Immunohistochemistry experience.
- Involvement in quality management processes including reviewing SOPs, and recording departmental incidents.
- Previous experience of Health and Safety processes, including Risk Assessments and COSHH assessments.
- Non-Gynae cytology/Andrology experience
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria- Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively.
- Good time management.
- Ability to work independently and take direction and to pass on information accurately and timely.
- Able to build effective working relationships with staff and colleagues.
- Good hand/eye coordination
- Demonstrates initiative
- Leadership qualities
Thank you for expressing interest in this role. For further employer guidance, please review the attached supplementary applicant information.
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used, then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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, subject to eligibility of the role for a skilled worker visa and salary requirements.Not all roles in the Trust are eligible for sponsorship.
Eligibility for this role requires:
- Current right to work in the UK, subject to verification.
- Qualification of the eligibility sponsorship criteria
From 4 April 2024, UK immigration policy changes has increased minimum salary levels for skilled workers. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
Current employees should be aware that this position is advertised as a Great Western Hospitals position and appointment ends any TUPE protection.
Candidates are responsible for covering the cost of their own DBS check if required: £21.50 for a Standard DBS check, recoverable from the first pay, or £49.50 for an Enhanced DBS check, divided and recoverable over the initial two pay periods.Payment for DBS checks for bank posts must be settled prior to commencement. Apprentices are exempt from DBS payment.
We are committed to supporting our staff in achieving a healthy work-life balance through flexible work arrangements. Upon joining the Trust, you have the right to request flexible working, with an unlimited number of requests allowed.
Upon acceptance of a job offer, your information will be transferred to the national NHS Electronic Staff Records System. All communication regarding your application will be conducted via email; please ensure to check your junk/spam folders as emails may occasionally be filtered there.