We currently have posts available for a Band 5 Biomedical Scientist within our team at Poundbury Cancer Institute - a histopathology laboratory located in Poundbury, Dorchester. The role involves ensuring the service we provide our clients runs smoothly, by assisting histopathologists and lab staff in various areas of the cellular pathology lab.
Main duties of the job
This role is for a HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist. The role includes, but is not limited to, embedding, microtomy, performing IHC and manual special stains.
About us
Poundbury Cancer Institute (PCI) has been established in order to improve outcomes for cancer patients by supporting the delivery of the most effective treatment for each individual patient Personalised Medicine.
Poundbury Cancer Institute evolved from pioneering work started in 2012 in the Department of Histopathology at Dorset County Hospital in partnership with Roche Tissue Diagnostics and UK NEQAS-IHC&ISH.
A major emphasis was on providing local patients with cancer diagnostic tests not yet available nationally or for which there were lengthy delays.
The Institute has been set up by local NHS staff with a combination of private investment, commercial funding and charitable donations.
PCI is a growing company, paving the way in the future of Histopathology. Therefore, we are looking for individuals who are looking to evolve with us as we expand and new roles become available.
Job responsibilities
Staff
1. The post holder will play a key role in the day-to-day scientific andtechnical operations in the department without direct supervisionand within defined limits by following departmental SOPs.
2. Support the role of the Senior colleagues, and provide cover in theirabsence.
3. The post holder will support to train and develop all subordinate staffand new staff during day-to-day operations within the departmentaccording to local policies and procedures as directed by senior staff.
4. Carrying out support staff competency assessments to meet ISO15189 requirements.
5. To maintain, and comply with the requirements of HCPC registration.
6. To ensure efficient planning and prioritisation of individual workload.
7. To supervise subordinate staff as necessary.
8. The post holder will play a key role in the handling of patient tissuesamples and recording associated clinical details as delegated by theConsultant Histopathologist.
9. To assist in the testing and evaluation of new methodologies andinstrumentation and to contribute to the review process of SOPsunder the direction of senior staff and according to PCI policies.
10. To assist in research activity, service development and clinical auditundertaken by the department.
Laboratory
1. All aspects of patient tissue sample reception including interpretationof anatomical site and clinical details, assigning case numbers and preparing samples for dissection according to Standard OperatingProcedures (SOPs).
2. Close co-operation and communication with ConsultantHistopathologists and other technical staff during assistance atdissection of tissue samples. This will include decision making andtechnical advice to clinicians and other service users on the suitabilityof tissue samples for subsequent processing for histologicalexamination.
3. Carries out all tasks necessary to effectively process and embed, inparaffin wax, all tissue samples taken for diagnostic analysis includingchanging processing reagents and programming and calibration ofspecialist tissue processor equipment. Appropriate anatomicalorientation of tissue sample during embedding.
4. Production of high quality sections of tissue samples on slides utilisinghigh precision microtomes and attention to detail for the purpose ofmicroscopical diagnosis.
5. Performs staining or dying of slides of patient tissue material utilisingcomplex chemical procedures through the use of SOPs for thepurpose of rendering these suitable for microscopy and subsequenttissue diagnosis.
6. Carry out all procedures necessary for the effective demonstrationand visualisation of antigen sites and tumour markers through theuse of Immunocytochemical diagnostic techniques. Post holders willhave a thorough technical and theoretical knowledge of the use ofprimary antibodies used in these investigations.
7. When necessary the post holder will be expected to replenish stocksupplies of reagents, chemicals, stains and dyes used within thelaboratory for specimen processing and analyses.
8. To maintain / repair specialist equipment to correct loss ofperformance. To ensure staff undertake routine operativemaintenance, corrective maintenance and troubleshooting.
Quality
1. Responsibility for ensuring the standard of their individual workmeets with Internal Quality Control values of the department.(Technical validation).
2. The post holder will take part in the preparatory work andassessment of sample material sent as part of the National ExternalQuality Assessment Scheme. This may involve communicating andcommenting on proposed changes for service improvement.
3. To ensure, by periodic testing, that all specialist equipment isfunctioning efficiently through good housekeeping, troubleshootingand preventive maintenance including reagent changes.Communicate errors or faults to senior staff. Is familiar with contingencies in the event of equipment or system failure.
4. To maintain a high standard of professional competence and skill inthe performance of all tests and investigations carried out on that bench.
5. To initiate preventive/corrective action or investigate with seniorstaff when the quality control procedures indicate loss ofperformance.
6. To ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention ofsenior staff and to report and record incidents, complaints andanomalies as soon as possible using the resources of the Qualitymanagement system.
7. Maintenance of the requirements of the Quality ManagementSystem including raising non conformities when there are failures ofexpected levels of performance.
8. To ensure the agreed quality standards of service are maintained.
9. To participate in the regular review and update of SOPs. Suggestchanges to work practices within the section and assistimplementation.
10. Carry out method validation and verification procedures.
11. To ensure that records are kept up-to-date and stored safely toensure compliance with good work practices required for thestandards of ISO 15189:2012.
IT
1. To comply with policies for the safe, secure and confidential processingand storage of patient and other laboratory information.
2. To use the Laboratory Information System (LIMS) according to theauthorised protocols.
3. Check, and correct if necessary, information input by other laboratorystaff.
4. To use PCI IT systems as appropriate, following PCI policies, guidelinesand procedures.
Person Specification
Experience
* Post registration experience in Histopathology
* Competent in all laboratory benches (cut-up, IHC and molecular).
* Evidence of regular CPD.
* Use of laboratory quality management systems.
* Experience of ISO15189 accreditation processes.
* Experience of a relevant LIMS system.
* Research projects.
Skills
* Good interpretative skills at bench/analytical level.
* Competent in a wide range of complex laboratory procedures.
* Able to organise and supervise less qualified staff
* Communicate sensitive information with peers and senior staff.
* Communicate with other health care professionals at
* Able to plan day-to-day organisation of area of work.
* Able to train and support staff.
* Accurate, well developed technical skills, manual dexterity and hand/eye coordination.
* To be able to assist in monitoring the well being of less qualified staff.
* Able to work as part of a team and as an individual.
Qualifications
* HCPC State registration in Histopathology with post registration training.
* Progress towards higher degree or equivalent qualification.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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