Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the NHS East and South East London Pathology Partnership (ESEL) Cellular Pathology Department.
Join our friendly and professional team at University Hospital Lewisham (UHL), Lewsiham.
Main duties of the job
The post holders’ primary base will be the Pathology Department at University Hospital, Lewisham. However, there will be occasions when there will be a requirement to attend any Trust site in the performance of duties within this job description and the post will be rostered between all sections of the Histology Department.
Duties will include complex testing and investigation of clinical samples at a level appropriate to the qualifications and training of an experienced Biomedical Scientist. The post-holder will be expected to take day to day technical charge of a section of the laboratory and to deputise for the Histology Operational Lead as required.
Help set up and maintain the Histology Department’s Document Control System, working closely with the Quality Manager and quality leads to keep documents organised and compliant.The post holder will ensure that their own participation in the CPD scheme is maximised and will have a personal responsibility to ensure retention of their own state registration.
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:
• Blood Sciences including Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Biochemistry
• Microbiology and Virology
• 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
1. State Registration with HPC.
2. MSc in a Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification from an approved institution.
Experience
Essential criteria
3. Minimum of 3 year’s post State Registration laboratory experience in a relevant discipline.
4. Working knowledge of IT systems such as e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, databases and use of the Internet.
5. Assist in the establishment and maintenance of a Quality Management System.
6. Participate in performing validation/verification and SLA initiation of equipment used.
Desirable criteria
7. Previous computing experience or VDU work
8. To organise and perform regular audits of the service in the department.
9. Capable of assisting the Quality Manager in the production of the annual Quality Report for UKAS.
10. To participate in the recruitment of Trainee BMS staff.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
11. IT Literate
12. Medical terminology
13. Knowledge of Health & Safety
14. Knowledge of ISO 15189:2022
Desirable criteria
15. To advise the laboratory service manager and other senior members of staff on quality issues.
Skills
Essential criteria
16. Able to communicate and empathise with patients and other members of the public.
17. Good attention to detail. Supervisory and training skills
18. Able to communicate with other health professionals
19. Tactful and discrete.
20. Some appreciation of NHS/healthcare system
21. To be able to organise personal workload to meet deadlines
Desirable criteria
22. Good interpersonal skills.
23. Courteous.
24. Self-motivated.
25. Able to show initiative
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
26. Ability to work under pressure and achieve deadlines and targets.
27. Self-motivated.
28. Able to show initiative.
29. Courteous
30. Ability to participate in educational and developmental programmes as set by the university and the Department
Desirable criteria
31. To be willing to undertake management training.
Communications
Essential criteria
32. Able to communicate effectively (written and verbal)
Desirable criteria
33. Able to communicate and empathise with patients and other members of the public.
Specific requirements
Essential criteria
34. Is responsible for a special function of the departmental services as agreed with line management. I.e. Health and safety, Quality officer or training lead.
35. Able support senior staff in ensuring the motivation and development of staff and the maintenance of good technical and professional standards within the department.
36. Responsible for approving time sheets and placing orders for consumables as agreed and delegated by line management.
37. Be able to advise service users on sample requirements, reference ranges and analytical limitations.
Desirable criteria
38. To ensure that equipment maintenance and consumables contracts in relevant sections, are appropriate to current needs and fit for purpose.
39. In partnership with senior staff, be to able produce, maintain and update all relevant documentation including Standard Operating Procedures.
**Visa Sponsorship Information**
Recent changes to UK immigration policy on the Health and Care Visa and Skilled Worker Visa could mean that this role is not eligible for sponsorship or that you may not meet the eligibility criteria.
Sponsorship can only be offered if this post and any individual offered employment meet all the Home Office’s requirements under the UK Skilled Worker visa scheme.
If you are applying from outside the UK or will require sponsorship, please mention this clearly in your application.
To be eligible for sponsorship, the following conditions must be met:
40. Eligible role: The position must be on the UK Skilled Worker visa list. You can check your eligibility here: -.
41. Salary threshold: The role must meet the minimum salary set by the Home Office. 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.
42. Skill level: The role must meet the minimum skill requirement of RQF Level 6 or above (graduate level).
43. English language: Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR level B2 or higher.
44. Other criteria: Applicants must meet all other criteria as set out by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)