View Jobs Description
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.
Extensive previous experience of working as a Biomedical Scientist at senior level in the histopathology discipline is essential. Experience in an ISO15189 accredited Neuropathology laboratory would be a distinct advantage. All necessary training will be provided.
This is a fixed term contract until 31 st May 2025 in the first instance and is available immediately to a suitably qualified applicant.
This UKAS accredited department delivers comprehensive diagnostic neuropathology services for King’s College Hospital, external referring institutions and is involved in research investigations for the London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank.
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.
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.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
KCH
King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. King’s has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.
Over the last 170 years, King’s has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation.Equality of opportunity is our policy.
Our Bank workers enjoy competitive market rates and flexible contract assignments across all of our sites, dependant on your availability and location.
For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.
All employees are entitled to: Contributory pension scheme
Generous annual leave entitlementGround breaking personal development opportunities
Key Relationships
Departmental Service Delivery Manager (SDM)Head of Department and Lead Consultant Neuropathologist (Ho D)
Synnovis Tissue Sciences Quality Manager and Quality Officers (QM)
Duties and Responsibilities
Working with the SDM/Ho D and QM as required: Management and Supervisory
Working with the SDM and the Ho D 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 Ho D.
To prepare and review laboratory protocols as needed.
To advise on the selection of new and replacement equipment.
To work as economically with one’s 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 department’s 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.