Job overview
Are you looking for an opportunity to work in a small, specialist, hospital-based laboratory that straddles pathology disciplines, providing referral services to clinicians across the UK?
We are seeking a Band 5/6 Biomedical Scientist to join the Immunodermatology Laboratory. This is one of five specialist diagnostics labs associated with St John's Institute of Dermatology, one of the world’s leading centres for patients with skin diseases and is located on the St Thomas' Hospital site. The laboratory diagnoses and monitors patients with autoimmune blistering diseases and combines elements of histopathology and clinical immunology, processing both biopsy and serum specimens. It serves as a national referral centre for expert opinion.
The specialist diagnostic team delivers a bespoke service using direct and indirect immunofluorescence techniques and ELISAs with clinical leadership provided by a consultant dermatologist. The laboratory processes approximately 10,000 samples per year and receives specimens from over 250 UK centres. The successful applicant will be responsible for performing all processing tasks within the lab, on a rotational basis, as part of a team of three BMS staff. Additionally, the post holder will contribute to all aspects of maintaining quality systems in the lab and participate in service development work, as required, There are no weekend or unsocial hours associated with this post.
Main duties of the job
The Immunodermatology Laboratory holds full ISO15189:2022 accreditation and is staffed by a small, friendly team of seven scientists. We are seeking a well-motivated individual with excellent technical and communications skills and the ability to pay close attention to detail to fill a newly created Biomedical Scientist post within the laboratory. Principal roles include:
·Day-to-day analytical processing of biopsy and serum specimens using (manual) direct and indirect immunofluorescence techniques, in addition to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (automated platform).
·Accurate documentation of test data, assignment of appropriate subsequent testing and reporting of internal quality control data
·Maintenance of all quality processes required to retain ISO15189:2022 accreditation.
The successful individual will work closely with the lab’s four other Biomedical Scientists, the pre-analytical support staff and the lab manager, to meet test turnaround times and ensure the smooth running of the diagnostic service. Previous experience in histopathology at a minimum of Band 4 equivalent level is essential and frozen tissue cryotomy experience would be advantageous, although all appropriate training and support will be provided. Additionally, previous experience on Epic/Beaker laboratory information management systems and a good working knowledge of all Microsoft Office products would also be of benefit.
St John’s Institute of Dermatology incorporates an IBMS-accredited training laboratory and has a track record of supporting staff through their Cellular Pathology specialist porfolios. Whilst this post is funded at Band 6 level, applications are welcome from HCPC-registered/Band 5 histopathology BMS staff who wish to undertake training towards the specialist portfolio and support will be provided for this, both at a laboratory and corporate level, with guaranteed uplift to Band 6, on attainment of the Specilaist Diploma.
Working for our organisation
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 will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art hub laboratory in the heart of London. However, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites (St Thomas’ on the South Bank, opposite the Houses of Parliament) and will not be moving to the hub, due to the specialist area of diagnostics performed (Immunodermatology is one of the 8 designated ultra specialist service (USS) labs within Synnovis) and the requirement to be close to the clinical teams managing patient care.
The core duties of this role can be summarised thus:
·To perform direct immunofluorescence analysis on skin and mucosal biopsies
·To perform a number of indirect immunofluorescence techniques and ELISAs (automated DS2 platform) on serum samples
·To accurately document test data, assign appropriate subsequent testing and report internal quality control data
1. To maintain all quality processes required to retain ISO15189:2022 accreditation, including participation in a regular audit cycle
2. To provide backfill and support to the pre-analytical staff posts, as required
3. To provide training and supervision to junior MLA/AP staff and other BMS staff new to the laboratory
Download the job description and person specification for further details.
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.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Women’s Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Dermatology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Children’s Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guy’s site.
You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
4. BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences or equivalent first degree
5. Registration with Health and Care Professions Council as a Biomedical Scientist
Desirable criteria
6. MSc or equivalent, or work in progress
7. IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Cellular Pathology or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
8. Significant experience in a diagnostic medical laboratory at Band 4 level (or equivalent) or above
9. Experience in frozen tissue section preparation and cryostat usage
Desirable criteria
10. Experience in immunology techniques (especially ELISAs)
11. Experience in auditing processes
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
12. Excellent command of spoken and written English
Desirable criteria
13. Proficiency with Q-Pulse, Epic and Filemaker Pro software
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:
14. Contributory pension scheme
15. Generous annual leave entitlement
16. 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.