Job overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist with Histopathology experience and excellent interpersonal and organisational skills to join our team. Using standard operating procedures, the post holder will rotate through the Histopathology laboratory. Working alongside biomedical scientist staff, they will liaise with pathologists, clinicians and other colleagues to assist in the delivery of a professional and efficient diagnostic service. BMS staff and management are available for technical support, quality assessments and advice when required.
The Department of Histopathology provides a comprehensive, fully UKAS accredited 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 currently based at in our new laboratory at the Hub in Blackfriars, where services are to be consolidated providing a new, innovative and dynamic place to work. 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.
Main duties of the job
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 principles and broad occupational policies or regulations, adhering to standard operating procedures and local rules within Histopathology.
They are expected to maintain professional competency and dexterity in those precision-based specialist and physical tasks, and maintain the levels of concentration required to deliver a quality service. Participation in the on-call service is expected after training, successful competency assessment, and sufficient experience.
Following in-house training and successful competency assessments (with support from the Senior Specialist BMS and other competent colleagues), the post holder will rotate through the routine histology and Advanced Diagnostics sections, working with the team to ensure a high-quality, professional and efficient diagnostic service is maintained.
Working for our organisation
The Department of Histopathology at King's College Hospital currently processes approximately 28,000 cases per year. With our exciting relocation to the HUB at Blackfriars, we are entering a period of transformation into a larger, more dynamic, and innovative service.
Our expanded offering will include a wide range of advanced diagnostic techniques, including routine histopathology, immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence, molecular pathology, and Mohs Micrographic Surgery.
The service is delivered by a dynamic team of biomedical scientists and support staff across the core laboratory, advanced diagnostics and the office. We hold IBMS training laboratory approval and participate in multiple external assurance schemes which demonstrates a strong commitment to continual quality improvement.
As an IBMS approved training provider, 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 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 will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from July 2025 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work 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.
This is an excellent opportunity for state registered Health and Care Professions Council registration. Experience and competency in routine histopathology laboratory techniques including embedding, microtomy, biopsy transfer and specials stains are sought from applicants. The post holder will be partaking in aspects of the laboratory processes appropriate for their role within various sections of the laboratory, including specimen receipt, biopsy cut-up, tissue processing and problem solving. Some overseeing and active participation for equipment maintenance, reagent management, quality processes and training will also be expected.
The post holder will maintain professional competency and dexterity in those precision based specialist and physical tasks, and maintain the levels of concentration required to maintain integrity and quality of service. This will be aided by involvement with the Quality Leads and Quality Manager to enhance the department efforts in maintaining the high quality of all diagnostic tests provided.
The list of duties and responsibilities for this post are outlined in the Job Description section.
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.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science or equivalent first degree acceptable to Health Professions Council
2. HCPC Registration
3. Evidence of participation in continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
4. Membership of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences
Experience
Essential criteria
5. Experience and competency in routine histopathology laboratory techniques (including embedding, microtomy, BMS transfer and special stains)
6. Familiar with Quality and Health and Safety
Desirable criteria
7. Use of wide range of technical equipment
Skills and Knowledge
Essential criteria
8. High degree of numeracy
9. Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken English
10. Good interpersonal and team working skills
11. Excellent organisation and planning skills · Familiar with Laboratory Information Systems
Desirable criteria
12. Experience of supervision /teaching of support staff
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:
13. Contributory pension scheme
14. Generous annual leave entitlement
15. 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.