Job overview
Are you an experienced state registered Biomedical Scientist, looking for a dynamic role within Histology? Are you keen on being part of a major London Histology laboratory where you will have the opportunity to contribute to changes leading to the enhancement of patient care? The Histopathology department is looking to fulfil its HCPC registered Specialist BMS roles and now is an excellent time to join our lab as we prepare, design and move to a new state of the art Hub. Don’t miss out. Be part of it.
The Department of Histopathology provides a comprehensive diagnostic services across South London and receives specialist referrals from all over the country. The department performs routine and various highly specialised diagnostics tests using modern equipment. We are largely based at the Hub and provide a service at our ESL sites. Our Hub promises a high quality, high specification and innovative environment with a large, highly skilled team to which the post holder will be integrated.
This laboratory - based role will give you job satisfaction that comes from knowing that no two days are the same. You will be joining a group of Scientists who are experts in Histological techniques within Tissue Sciences, many of whom have worked in across Trust sites such as Guys and St Thomas’ and Kings College Hospital NHS Trusts.
Main duties of the job
The Specialist Biomedical Scientists assist the Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientists in the day-to-day running of the department and will be expected to undertake supervision and training of junior staff, troubleshooting and escalating issues.
The post holder will perform analytical procedures necessary for the histological diagnosis of disease. Using accredited procedures, they will rotate through the routine histopathology laboratory facilitating BMS cut-up, microtomy, embedding, special stains and immunohistochemistry sections. They will liaise with pathologists, clinicians and laboratory staff to assist in the delivery of a professional and efficient diagnostic service.
As a HCPC registered BMS, the post holder is expected to plan and organise their own work and follow the principle and broad occupational policies or regulations, adhering to standard operating procedures and local rules within Histopathology.
The post holder is expected to maintain professional competency and dexterity in those precision based specialist and physical tasks and maintain the levels of concentration required to maintain the quality service. The post holder is expected to participate in on-call service at the ESL after suitable training is given should this be required, competency assessments have been completed and sufficient experience is gained.
Working for our organisation
The department runs a well-structured training programme that is delivered by a highly experienced and dedicated departmental training officer, who is supported by a team of senior specialist BMS staff. Team members receive personalised training programme and are encouraged to actively work on their personal and professional development including support for HCPC specialist portfolios and MSc programmes wherever possible. The training programme comprises individual training manuals, competency assessment, registration and specialist portfolios, reflective learning and CPD lectures and activities to state a few.
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation has 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. The job you are applying for will be based at our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, and occasionally you may be required to support our services remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.
The Specialist Biomedical Scientist is an experienced scientific and technical professional who has developed their own skills and theoretical knowledge to a very high standard, performing a highly complex role. They will be continuously developing scientific and technical practice within the Histology section of the Histopathology department and have management responsibilities for a section/team within the Histology laboratory. They will have their own work area /operation responsibilities and have attained a Masters or higher-level postgraduate qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
After in-house training and successfully completing the relevant competency assessments (with the support of the Senior Specialist BMS and other competent colleagues), they will rotate through the routine histology laboratory and Advanced Diagnostics sections of the laboratory. They will experience different points of contact with the samples and work with the team to ensure delivery of a professional, efficient and a high quality diagnostic service is maintained.
Further responsibilities include:
·To organise and supervise a team of Medical Laboratory Assistants, Biomedical Scientists, and Trainee Biomedical Scientists within the department with the support of Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientists.
·To provide an expert level of theoretical and practical knowledge to the Tissue Sciences Service.
·To perform and assist with various validations and verifications of procedures, techniques and equipment in the current setting and for the move to the Hub and Spoke model.
·To ensure that all areas of responsibility comply with the requirements of the internal and external QMS.
·To provide professional leadership to Trainee Biomedical Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants within the Histology laboratories.
·To partake in projects for service improvement with relations to research, trials, reports and present findings to the Healthcare professionals as required.
·To continue with personal development through academic or practical experience.
·Excellent communication skills, both written and in spoken English is essential on order to give and seek complex scientific, medical and sensitive information as part of the scientific and communication process of service provision.
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 millions of 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.
You will be close to the vibrant the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as The Tate museum, Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science accredited with the Institute of Biomedical Science or equivalent
2. HCPC registration
3. Active CPD participation
4. IBMS specialist portfolio in Cellular Pathology
Desirable criteria
5. Membership of the Institute of Biomedical Science
6. Qualifications in Training & Development
Experience
Essential criteria
7. Collaborative team player with strong problem-solving skills
8. Experience in Quality processes
9. Experience in Equipment maintenance and management
10. Full awareness of the medical laboratories, requirement for quality and competence
Desirable criteria
11. Experience in performing and troubleshooting specialist techniques
12. Experience in laboratory supervision
13. Experience in Audits.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
14. Ability to undertake technical validation, interpretation and clinical authorisation of results
15. Thorough practical knowledge of Histological techniques.
16. Good communication skills and excellent numeracy and literacy skills
17. Basic use of Microsoft Word and Excel
18. Quality Control and Assurance
19. Knowledge of Health and Safety Procedures
Desirable criteria
20. Demonstrable experience of good team management
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, dependent on your availability and location.
For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.
All employees are entitled to:
21. Contributory pension scheme
22. Generous annual leave entitlement
23. Ground breaking development
opportunities
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.