Job overview
Join the East and SouthEast Pathology Partnership — Exciting Career Opportunity in Cellular Pathology!
If you are passionate about advancing healthcare through cutting-edge diagnostic science, and eager to work in a collaborative, innovative environment, ESP offers you a fantastic career opportunity.
Why Join Us?
1. State-of-the-art facilities: Recent funding for new equipment brings potential benefits of the latest technology.
2. Career development: Access to comprehensive training, continuous professional development, and pathways for progression.
3. Impactful work: Play a key role in delivering accurate, timely pathology services that directly impact patient care across East and SouthEast England.
4. Supportive environment: Join a collaborative multidisciplinary team committed to excellence, innovation, and patient-focused service.
5. Competitive benefits: Attractive salary packages, pension schemes, and flexible working options, as standard (Agenda for Change
6. Available Position:
We are seeking talented and motivated professional Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join our team.
This is an exciting opportunity for an individual to join our friendly and professional team. The role will involve supporting this service as well as being part of the Cellular Pathology Genomics Centre and Cancer Vaccine Launchpad work.
Main duties of the job
The post holder is responsible for performing routine laboratory techniques in accordance with departmental standard operating procedures, ensuring accurate data recording on the Pathology LIMS system. As well as general housekeeping the individual is also expected to carry out laboratory techniques, assist clinical staff, maintain laboratory equipment, and participate in the rotation across various areas, with a primary focus on Advanced Diagnostics. The role involves quality management tasks, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards, and engaging in internal and external quality control processes. The job holder will supervise junior staff, contribute to training and development, and maintain up-to-date training records. Financially, they are tasked with managing stock levels and adhering to procurement guidelines. The individual is expected to contribute to continuous improvement efforts, including corrective actions and audits, and take responsibility for managing incidents in the laboratory.
The post holder will be part of the Immunohistochemistry (IHC) team within the Advanced Diagnostics laboratory of the Cellular Pathology Department, delivering high-quality diagnostic services. This role involves performing complex IHC techniques, in-situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence to support cancer and disease detection. Additionally, the post holder will rotate into the Neuromuscular section, processing fresh muscle and nerve tissue samples.
Working for our organisation
The NHS East and South East London Pathology Partnership is an arms-length organisation providing pathology services to Barts Health NHS Trust, Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The Pathology Partnership is hosted by Barts Health.
The Pathology Partnership was formed in May 2021. Between 2021 and 2024 the Partnership undertook a complex transformation programme to establish a single network of laboratories, underpinned by a single Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and single Quality Management System (QMS).
The Partnership has a main hub laboratory at the Royal London Hospital and Essential Service Laboratories (ESL) as a minimum at the six other hospital sites served by the Partnership.
The Partnership has three operational divisions:
7. Blood Sciences including Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry
8. Microbiology and Virology
9. Cellular Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics
The 2024/25 total operating costs across the Partnership were c. £121m per annum with a workforce establishment of circa. 860 WTE.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
10. HCPC Registration.
11. IBMS Accredited BSc in Biomedical Science (or equivalent qualification).
12. IBMS Specialist Diploma in Cellular Pathology (or equivalent qualification).
Desirable criteria
13. Postgraduate qualification in a relevant area of biomedical science (e.g., MSc or equivalent).
14. Additional certifications (e.g. Immunohistochemistry, molecular Biology, or other relevant fields).
15. Training in supervisory or leadership skills.
Experience
Essential criteria
16. Experience working in a Cellular Pathology laboratory, with a solid understanding of laboratory processes and procedures.
17. Substantive post-registration experience in a Cellular Pathology setting, demonstrating competency in diagnostic techniques and laboratory practices.
18. Experience in an Immunohistochemistry (IHC) laboratory, with experience in IHC/in-situ hybridisation techniques and the use of relevant IHC laboratory platforms.
19. Experience of working in NHS environment, under UKAS: ISO 15189 standards.
20. Experience of working to deadlines.
Desirable criteria
21. Experience with microscopic quality control of antibodies/probes, ensuring accuracy and consistency in diagnostic results.
22. Familiarity with technical Immunofluorescence (IMF) techniques and their application in diagnostic workflows.
23. Experience handling muscle samples (Freezing and orientation). Experience of Enzyme histochemistry.
24. Use of Ventana Benchmark Ultra/ Ultra Plus, Leica Bond III, Agilent/Dako Autostainer Link 48 and OMNIS.
25. Experience of validation and verification of Histology tests
Knowledge
Essential criteria
26. Good knowledge of Histopathology / IMF / Neuromuscular and IHC theory and practice.
27. Good interpersonal skills, able to build and develop working relationships with colleagues within and outside the Trust.
28. Working knowledge of data security and confidentiality.
29. IT Literate including use of Microsoft word, data analysis and use of WinPath LIMS.
30. Knowledge of quality assurance.
31. Good knowledge of Quality Management System.
Desirable criteria
32. Knowledge of troubleshooting enzyme histochemistry, ensuring accurate and reliable results.
Skills
Essential criteria
33. Extensive computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, data analysis tools, and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
34. Strong attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in laboratory procedures and documentation.
35. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with colleagues, clinicians, and other healthcare professionals.
36. Ability to work under pressure, especially during periods of high workload, while maintaining high standards of accuracy and efficiency.
37. Technical proficiency in IHC/ISH techniques, including preparation, staining, and QC.
38. Effective problem-solving skills, particularly in troubleshooting IHC and laboratory equipment issues.
39. Organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment.
40. Supervisory skills to assist with training junior staff and ensuring compliance with laboratory procedures and safety standards.
Desirable criteria
41. Advanced IHC technique skills, with the ability to perform complex staining and analyses.
42. Ability to troubleshooting and implement corrective actions.
43. Leadership skills, with experience in mentoring or supervising junior staff.
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
44. Good organisational skills.
45. Ability to work under pressure.
46. Ability to produce high quality work.
47. Open minded to new technology and techniques.
48. Reliable and trustworthy.
49. Self-motivated.
50. Ability to show flexibility by performing multiple tasks good hand-eye coordination & manually dexterous.
51. Methodical, precise, numerate Ability to pick up techniques quickly.
52. Is able to cope with large amounts of repetitive work.
53. Highly motivated, innovative and adaptable.
54. Can think clearly and react appropriately under stress while remaining calm.
Communications
Essential criteria
55. Good verbal communication skills.
56. Able to work as part of a team or independently, as required.
Specific requirements
Essential criteria
57. Able to perform required duties with any necessary aids or adaptations, ensuring full capability in the role.
58. Comfortable handling human body fluids, tissue, organs, and infected materials, in compliance with Health & Safety and Infection Control policies.
59. Willingness to undergo necessary vaccinations as part of role-specific health and safety protocols.
Desirable criteria
60. Previous NHS experience.
61. A commitment to contribute to the health and care of NHS patients.
62. Awareness of scientific developments and modern technology in discipline and how they may influence the future of Pathology.
Visa Sponsorship Information
This role is subject to UK immigration requirements. Where sponsorship is required, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa in accordance with current UK Visas and Immigration rules, including any salary, qualification, and role-specific requirements applicable at the time of appointment. Candidates who require sponsorship will only be considered where the post is eligible and where all sponsorship criteria can be met. Evidence of the right to work in the UK will be required before appointment. Please note that for roles employed under Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions, the High-Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) is not included when calculating the basic salary for the purposes of sponsorship.