Job Summary
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 runs smoothly by assisting histopathologists and lab staff in various areas of the cellular pathology lab.
About Us
Poundbury Cancer Institute (PCI) has been established to improve outcomes for cancer patients by supporting the delivery of personalised medicine. PCI 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. The Institute focuses on providing local patients with cancer diagnostic tests not yet available nationally or with lengthy delays.
Responsibilities
* The post holder will play a key role in the day‑to‑day scientific and technical operations in the department within defined limits by following departmental SOPs.
* Support the Senior colleagues and provide cover in their absence.
* Train and develop all subordinate staff and new staff during day‑to‑day operations according to local policies and procedures directed by senior staff.
* Carry out staff competency assessments to meet ISO 15189 requirements.
* Maintain and comply with HCPC registration requirements.
* Plan and prioritise individual workload efficiently.
* Supervise subordinate staff as necessary.
* Handle patient tissue samples and record associated clinical details as delegated by the Consultant Histopathologist.
* Assist in testing and evaluation of new methodologies and instrumentation and contribute to the review of SOPs under senior staff direction and PCI policies.
* Assist in research activity, service development and clinical audit undertaken by the department.
Laboratory Work
* Receive and process patient tissue samples, interpret anatomical site and clinical details, assign case numbers and prepare samples for dissection following SOPs.
* Co‑operate with Consultant Histopathologists and other technical staff during dissection of tissue samples, providing technical advice on suitability for subsequent processing.
* Process and embed tissue samples in paraffin wax, program and calibrate specialist tissue processor equipment, and orient samples appropriately.
* Produce high‑quality sections on slides using precision microtomes, ensuring microscopic diagnosis.
* Stain or dye slides of patient tissue material using complex chemical procedures as per SOPs.
* Perform immunocytochemical techniques to demonstrate and visualise antigen sites and tumour markers using primary antibodies.
* Replenish stock supplies of reagents, chemicals, stains and dyes as necessary.
* Maintain and repair specialist equipment, performing routine operative maintenance and troubleshooting.
Quality Assurance
* Ensure the standard of individual work meets internal quality control values.
* Participate in the National External Quality Assessment Scheme, communicating and commenting on potential service improvements.
* Maintain specialist equipment performance through preventive maintenance and timely error reporting.
* Initiate corrective action with senior staff when quality control indicates loss of performance.
* Report and record incidents, complaints and anomalies promptly using the quality management system.
* Maintain quality management system requirements, raising non‑conformities when performance thresholds are not met.
* Participate in regular review and update of SOPs, suggesting changes to work practices and assisting implementation.
* Carry out method validation and verification procedures.
* Keep records up to date and stored safely in compliance with ISO 15189:2012.
Information Technology
* Process and store patient and laboratory information safely, securely and confidentially.
* Use the Laboratory Information System (LIMS) according to authorised protocols.
* Check and correct information input by other laboratory staff.
* Use PCI IT systems following PCI policies, guidelines and procedures.
Person Specification
Experience
* Post registration experience in Histopathology.
* Competent in all laboratory benches (cut‑up, IHC and molecular).
* Evidence of regular CPD.
* Experience of laboratory quality management systems.
* Experience of ISO15189 accreditation processes.
* Experience of a relevant LIMS system.
Desirable
* Research projects.
Skills
* Good interpretative skills at bench/analytical level.
* Competence 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 appropriate level.
* 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.
* Keyboard skills.
* Assist in monitoring the well‑being of less qualified staff.
* Work as part of a team and as an individual.
Qualifications
* HCPC State registration in Histopathology with post registration training.
Desirable
* Progress towards a higher degree or equivalent qualification.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any prior convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.
Employer Contact
Naila Choudhury
naila.choudhury3@nhs.net
01305756485
Job Details
Reference number: E0061-26-0002
Band: 5
Salary: £33,159 to £39,966 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time
Job location: Newborough House, 3 Queen Mother Square, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 3BJ, United Kingdom
Employer website: https://www.poundburycancerinstitute.org/
J-18808-Ljbffr