Specialist Biomedical Scientist, Cytology
Job overview
Applications are invited from Specialist Biomedical Scientists who are interested in joining our excellent team in the Cellular Pathology Department, specifically to work in non-gynae cytology. The Histology laboratories are based at University Hospital in Coventry and at South Warwick and provide a diagnostic pathology service for the Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Services (CWPS) and handle over 300,00 slides per year.These 2 posts will have a designated base at either of our 2 sites, Coventry or Warwick (1 vacancy at each) your preference can be discussed at interview.
The successful candidate will HCPC registered and hold the IBMS specialist portfolio in Cellular Pathology. You will be expected to undertake routine and specialist histopathology including immunohistochemistry, special stains, laboratory QC, Molecular Histology (at UHCW only) and some dissection (transfers and opening up), and will possess knowledge and skill levels enabling you to work both independently; supervising other lab staff as appropriate; and under the supervision of senior biomedical scientists to maintain a cross-site histology service.
Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.
Main duties of the job
You will participate fully in the laboratory shift system; which currently comprises working 37.5 hours between 7am to 7pm and includes weekend working on a rotational basis. This is a full time position.
Technical:
- Daily perform routine and specialised diagnostic services on patient or environmental samples containing potentially infectious material.
- To carry out routine maintenance on analytical equipment as required and in accordance with standard operating procedures.
- To carry out equipment and method troubleshooting, advise the Section Manager of situations requiring further action, work with service engineers on fault resolution.
- To prepare, store and use reagents required for laboratory investigations.
Candidates without the IBMS Specialist Portfolio will not be considered for interview.
Working for our organisation
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.
We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.
Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.
We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence® designated organisation – please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence ® - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)
By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.
The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care.We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Cellular Pathology service is a rapidly expanding part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Network, which is based on the hospital sites at Coventry (University Hospital), Nuneaton (George Eliot Hospital) and Warwick (South Warwickshire Hospital).It offers a comprehensive range of Pathology services to a population of approximately 1 million Coventry and Warwickshire residents and has a close relationship with the Medical school at Warwick University. The network offers an excellent opportunity to those seeking employment in a modern, innovative and high-profile organisation.
We have digital slide scanning on both sites and we scan 100% of slides at UHCW including screening cases.
Our Histology department is in the middle of a major procurement and expect to have new main lab and IHC equipment in by the end of this year to help us deliver our turnaround times- this is an exciting time for us in histology- a chance for us to redesign our workflows and processes, and you could be a part of that!
For the post based in Coventry
The city lies in the West Midlands Situated as the most central city in the whole of England. Coventry offers its residents a truly exceptional lifestyle with excellent links to the rest of the country. Life in Coventry provides residents with easy access to Birmingham, Leicester, and London.The city was placed in the top 10 cities to live and work in the UK in a recent poll. Various factors contributed to ensuring the city was ranked so highly. The city’s friendly atmosphere, a range of reasonably priced housing options as well as a host of prospects in the workplace all ensured the city’s popularity.
With a choice of highly-rated universities (with links to the Hospital), a variety of retail and shopping options as well as an acclaimed history in the motor industry, Coventry is a city that is sure to cater to everyone!
For the post based in Warwick
Warwick, a charming town in Warwickshire, offers a delightful blend of history, picturesque surroundings, and modern amenities. Warwick boasts a rich history dating back to Saxon times. The iconic Warwick Castle, built during the Norman conquest of England, stands as a testament to its past.Warwick is home to a popular university, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Situated in the heart of England, Warwick enjoys excellent connectivity. It’s just 11 miles south of Coventry and 20 miles from Birmingham. Victorian and Georgian homes grace the town centre, while riverside properties offer scenic views.
Whether you’re looking for a detached house, a terraced home, or an apartment, Warwick has a varied selection. Warwickshire’s countryside beckons with secret gardens and rolling greens. Nearby Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds provide ample opportunities to connect with nature.
Best of Both Worlds: Warwickshire, along with nearby Coventry and Birmingham, offers a unique blend of city vibrancy and countryside tranquillity. Whether you seek heritage sites or high street shopping, this region
Main responsibilities:
- To perform manual, semi-automated and fully-automated laboratory investigations to exacting medical and scientific standards according to Standard Operating Procedures.
- Interpretation of diagnostic investigations and be responsible for the validity of results and ensure accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols and procedures
- To report to the Section Manager any instance or event which may cause a service delivery failure, but be fully involved in the resolution of such events.
- To develop and investigate new techniques or analysers as required by the changing needs of the service.
- To ensure that all results are reported within the agreed turnaround time and to take remedial action, for example communicating appropriately with colleagues and managers.
- Work to meet laboratory performance targets as directed by senior staff.
- To use departmental resources efficiently and ensure reagents and consumables are ordered when approaching minimum stock levels.
- To participate in the review and update of Standard Operating Procedures and health and safety documentation including COSHH and workplace risk assessments by commenting or proposing changes.
- To measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
- Act appropriately in the event of a technical/analytical non-conformity and appropriately inform the Section Manager. Decide with appropriate liaison with senior staff the subsequent level of investigation and reporting.
- Participate in external and internal quality assurance schemes and vertical and horizontal audits as directed by senior staff.
- To ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance the ISO15189 standard.
- Promote a culture of quality throughout the laboratory.
For further details of the role please see the attached job description.
All correspondence will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk/SPAM folders
Person specification
Qualification
Essential criteria- See supporting documents
Experience
Essential criteria- See supporting documents
- See supporting documents
Knowledge
Essential criteria- See supporting documents
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria- See supporting documents
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential criteria- See supporting documents
To ensure that we provide world-class patient care, UHCW recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values and Behaviours in their everyday life. Therefore, if you are invited to interview, you will be undertaking a Values Based Interview/Assessment, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s Values and Behaviours which can be accessed on the right side of this page under the job description.The Supporting Information Section in your application should therefore reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated Behaviours. You will be expected to provide us with examples from work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviour.
The Trust is committed to Equal Opportunities within the workplace. All vacancies will be considered for Job Share unless otherwise stated. All applicants who have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be interviewed.Where a post has an overwhelming response, this Trust may use random selection in order to reduce numbers to interview, any disabled applicants will automatically be guaranteed an interview and will be exempt from this process.
In submitting an application form, you authorise University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust to confirm from your previous or current NHS employer and other prior employers; previous NHS service details and personal data held about you, including Occupational Health data (inoculations and screening tests).This data will be transferred using NHS Electronic Staff Record and third-party systems via an automated process and only used for the purposes of obtaining and maintaining accurate employment records, should you be appointed to the post.
UHCW NHS Trust, by virtue of its Green Plan, is committed to ensuring that the way we provide services minimises the impact on the environment and the future health of the public e.g. zero waste to landfill, reducing our carbon footprint and increasing our recycling and reuse percentages.
If you are successful at interview you will receive a conditional offer of employment and we’ll ask you for information so that we can carry out pre-employment checks. You must successfully complete all pre-employment checks to progress to a final unconditional offer.
We must confirm the identity of our staff and their right to work in the United Kingdom. We will ask you to submit proof of your identity and right to work documents via a secure digital platform approved by the Home Office, named TrustID. Alternatively, you may be asked to attend our office with original documents.
Depending on you level of exposure with patients you may be required to undertake a Standard or Enhanced DBS. The cost of this check will be charged to you and will be deducted from your salary over the first 3 months of employment at the current rate.
All correspondence will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk/SPAM folders