Overview
To act in a scientific role and to carry out all routine investigations within the department, following such training as may be necessary, ensuring the quality of the service.
The postholder provides specialist knowledge and technical skills to process, analyse, understand and interpret results of diagnostic tests in the cellular pathology and mortuary service. Rotate through the different sections of the department and participate in the extended working rota. Health and safety is maintained, junior staff are trained, and the post contributes to quality and service development through laboratory and clinical audits. Continuous professional development will be essential for this post and further study will be encouraged.
Responsibilities
* Provide confidential, specialist advice over the telephone to users of the service.
* Act as primary point of contact for the laboratory when working alone outside normal working hours.
* Liaise with other staff within the department to ensure safe and efficient daily operation.
* Train and supervise other staff members.
* Be a point of reference for junior staff and participate in the duty band 6 rota.
* Implement new policies and changes to practice in their own area and provide advice and guidance to other staff.
* Help formulate SOPs and coordinate work and staff within their area.
* Receive clinical samples from wards, clinics, theatres and GPs, checking the integrity of the samples and unpacking them in line with health and safety procedures.
* Label samples with laboratory numbers and input patient and sample information into the laboratory computer system; input request form details and simple diagnostic test results; merge patient details accurately.
* Retrieve information from the IT system as required.
* Perform initial processing of clinical samples (urine, sputum, fluids, fine needle aspirates) in accordance with departmental SOPs, with knowledge of aseptic techniques and hazards.
* Perform routine examination and reporting of seminal fluid for infertility and post-vasectomy investigations; participate in surgical sperm retrieval procedures.
* Assist consultant pathologists with dissection, including digital photography and decalcifying techniques.
* Perform emergency frozen sections; embed samples; conduct microtomy and routine H&E staining.
* Carry out immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescent techniques; interpret results and troubleshoot problems; perform special staining techniques and solve related issues.
* Maintain and use all departmental equipment; understand, perform and document daily quality checks; basic fault-finding of faulty system processes.
* Understand where histology and non-histology tests are performed and direct samples accordingly.
* Assess samples on receipt with clinical details to determine appropriate tests; handle day-to-day problems with samples (e.g., unlabelled or leaking specimens) and ensure adherence to clinical pathways as defined in SOPs.
* Perform external QA tests and participate in internal QA testing; contribute to Continuing Professional Development with evidence in a professional portfolio.
* Maintain a good working knowledge of the pathology computer system and ensure the validity of test results through QA processes.
* Plan own work and the work of the area; prioritise urgent samples; coordinate work within a section with other biomedical scientists and the section leader.
* Maintain patient confidentiality and handle potentially infectious material with appropriate PPE and safety practices.
* Implement changes to practice within own area; provide guidance to staff; maintain adequate levels of laboratory kits and reagents; undertake staff training and competency testing and staff appraisals.
* Participate in clinical trials and audits; operate independently within occupational guidelines and refer to management when necessary.
* Deal sensitively with products of conception samples and mortuary-related issues; undertake supervisory duties in cellular pathology and mortuary services; assist in quality work to maintain UKAS accreditation and HTA compliance.
* Perform health and safety duties within the department; assist in implementing new projects and techniques such as genomics and digital pathology.
Note: This advert closes on Sunday 2 Nov 2025.
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