The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Trainee Biomedical Scientist

The closing date is 11 July 2025

Job summary

Practices as or working towards a HCPC registered BMS in Histological and specialist Neuropathological technical activities. The post holder will be able to perform all specialist Neuropathology techniques as applicable to the grade.

Neuropathology comprises standard histology techniques as well as highly specialist ones which are often very complex requiring high specialist skills. Some of these techniques have been developed in house.

The post holder will, by following laid down procedures, complying with existing policies and liaising with senior staff, assist in the provision of the highest quality standard of Histology practice.

The post holder will provide day to day supervision of Neuropathology Biobank within the Liverpool Neuroscience Biobank at the Walton Centre (LNBW), participating in practical aspects as required

Main duties of the job

Practices as a HCPC registered BMS in Histological and specialist Neuropathological technical activities. The post holder will be able to perform all specialist Neuropathology techniques as applicable to the grade.

The post holder will provide day to day supervision of Neuropathology Biobank within the Liverpool Neuroscience Biobank at the Walton Centre (LNBW), participating in practical aspects as required

About us

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only NHS trust to hold dual accreditation for the Investors in People. We invest in people and we invest in wellbeing standards and have been awarded Gold status for both. The Walton Centre is a leader in the treatment and care of neurology and neurosurgery, placing the patient and their family at the heart of everything we do. As the only specialist hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providing comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services we are proud to be rated as an Outstanding Trust by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and champion change throughout the field of neuroscience. Originally formed in 1992, the Trust received Foundation Trust status in 2009.

With around 1,450 staff, The Walton Centre treats more than 127,000 outpatients and 18,000 inpatients each year. We have leading specialists and incredibly dedicated staff delivering excellent clinical outcomes for brain, spinal and neurological care nationally and internationally. Teams across our site in Fazakerley, Liverpool, offer a world-class service in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nerves and muscles, and in supporting people suffering from a wide range of long-term neurological conditions.

Date posted

27 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year Band 6 following completion of specialist portfolio

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

160-7137995

Job locations

The Walton Centre

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical/Technical:

To perform routine and more technically complex laboratory investigations and procedures as needed.

Rostered sections include routine surgical work, post mortems, immunohistochemistry and muscle enzyme histochemistry.

Alongside routine Histological skills, the post holder would be expected to have the necessary skills and competencies to perform specialist techniques including but not limited to:

1. muscle enzyme histochemistry including the preparation and cryotomy of muscle biopsies

2. routine immunohistochemistry for the detection of paraneoplastic disorders.

Appropriate supervision should be sought from a senior member of staff for any tasks outside of these skills and competencies according to SOPs and policies.

Work independently and troubleshoot all potential problems to maintain a safe service and reduce risk to both patient care and staff.

Measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of lab investigations by interpretation of Quality Control procedures including QC checking of H&Es, special stains and immunohistochemistry.

Carry out corrective actions when Quality Control procedures indicate a loss of performance and report results to senior staff.

Be responsible for the quality and accuracy of results produced.

Develop and progress training in new techniques both in diagnostic and research areas as directed by senior staff.

To participate in and monitor External Quality Assurance results.

Ensure reagents are prepared, stored and used in a manner suitable for patient investigations.

Ensure the proper maintenance and safety within the rostered section.

Managerial:

Plan, organise and prioritise work within his/her roster section

Highlight any problems of stock control or maintenance of equipment to senior members of the department

Review and update standard operating procedures following the departments quality management systems.

Leadership:

Assist in the training and teaching of Trainee Biomedical Scientists, Medical Laboratory Assistants and other students.

Communication:

Inform colleagues and service users of diagnostic results.

Provide advice and discuss with service users the specialist range of investigations provided by the laboratory and the appropriateness of their selection.

Advise clinicians about appropriate collection, transport and preservation of specimens.

Advise clinicians about expected timescales of results.

Advise pathologists about the range of tests available to specific situations.

Report on the progress and outcome of technical difficulties/troubleshooting.

Communicate effectively with all levels of staff within WCFT and also from other Trusts and organisations.

Maintain databases and ensure information in them is up to date.

Be competent in the use of the departmental Laboratory Information Systems.

Training and Education:

Fully qualified Health Professions Council registered Biomedical Scientist.

Maintain Health Professions Council registration.

Actively undertake Continual Professional Development to meet professional requirements.

Develop and maintain skills appropriate to the grade by undertaking competency assessments as directed.

Clinical Governance/Research and Audit:-

All staff are responsible for ensuring that they are part of providing a quality service for patients that is safe, effective and personable. Staff are responsible for familiarising themselves with local and trust documentation that relates to quality and improving the patient experience
Continually participate in research, development and evaluation of new practices and techniques while developing existing ones.

Evaluate new equipment and reagents when required.

Participate in and co-ordinate research projects as and when required.

Contribute and perform audit as necessary.

Produce and re-evaluate risk assessments in order to ensure risk in the workplace is monitored and controlled in accordance with COSHH regulations.

Ensure that all accidents and incidents are properly reported in accordance with Trust and departmental policies. Undertake corrective actions where necessary.

Assist in the implementation and compliance with UKAS; ISO15189 requirements, as directed by senior BMS staff.

Liverpool Neuroscience Biobank at the Walton Centre (LNBW)

In addition to the duties given above that may be applicable to the Liverpool Neuroscience Biobank at the Walton Centre (LNBW), the following key responsibilities are also applicable:

To be responsible for sample handling, processing, safety and quality control of Biobank samples in the LNBW.
To participate in all practical aspects of preparation and storage of samples for research, according to agreed procedures.
To ensure all equipment used in Biobank sample processing is maintained, monitored and used according to agreed procedures.
To manage stocks of consumables for Biobank use.
To train and supervise staff undertaking all practical aspects of preparation and storage of samples for research.
To adhere to Quality Management System requirements for the LNBW in accordance with relevant accreditation requirements such as UKAS Accreditation to ISO 20387:2018
Attend relevant meetings and provide reports as required.

Other:

To ensure compliance to all Trust Risk Management, Research Governance and Infection Control Policies and Procedures and abide by the Standards for Better Health and essential standards of safety and quality.
Be aware of and comply with their data protection and confidentiality obligations under Law and through Trust policy.
Comply with the explicit and implied terms of their contract of employment, or other agreement signed to handle Trust information.
Undertake appropriate Information Governance mandatory training as set out in the Corporate Induction and Mandatory Training Policy.
Undertake appropriate mandatory training in infection control and comply with all Trust Infection Control policies relevant to the post, particularly with regard to the hand hygiene policy.
Take responsibility for managing own health and well being.
Staff must attend all mandatory training as specified in the Corporate Induction and mandatory Training Policy.
All staff must co-operate in the Personal Development Review process.
All staff are responsible for ensuring that they are part of providing a quality service for patients that is safe, effective and personable. Staff are responsible for familiarising themselves with local and trust documentation that relates to quality and improving the patient experience.
All staff whether Clinical or administrative should be aware of their Data Quality responsibilities; They must complete paper based documentation and enter computer data accurately and use it correctly; Ensuring they endeavour to comply with the standards as described in the Trusts Data Quality Policy, Information Security and any other associated documentation.
Abide by relevant Code of Professional Practice.