Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Biomedical Scientist (BMS) to lead the Neuromuscular section within our Cellular Pathology department at The Royal London Hospital. The role involves managing daily operations, ensuring quality diagnostic support, and meeting performance targets. Reporting to the Operational Lead, the successful candidate will also contribute to service development and staff supervision. Experience working with immunofluorescence microscopy (IMF) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) is highly desirable.
Main duties of the job
The department is seeking to recruit a competent, enthusiastic, and highly motivated Senior Biomedical Scientist (BMS) with substantial experience in Cellular Pathology and Neuromuscular techniques. This is a key leadership role, responsible for leading and running the Neuromuscular section and reporting directly to the IHC Operational Lead. The successful candidate will provide technical and quality support to our professional and friendly team at The Royal London Hospital (RLH).
The post-holder will manage the day-to-day operations of the Neuromuscular service, including the organisation of staff and workload to meet turnaround times (TAT) and ensure cases are prepared in time for multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings. They will also take a lead role within their specialist area and work closely with the Immunohistochemistry (IHC) senior to provide cross-cover when required.
About us
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please note: When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included for non-medical roles. This ensures fairness and consistency within our organization, as some of our sites fall under inner HCAS, while others are classified as outer HCAS.
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.
For further information or to arrange an informal visit please contact Mr Stephen Rodgers, Operational Lead for IHC on 02035943863. Alternatively, email: stephen.rodgers@nhs.net
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please note: When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included for non-medical roles. This ensures fairness and consistency within our organization, as some of our sites fall under inner HCAS, while others are classified as outer HCAS.
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.
For further information or to arrange an informal visit please contact Mr Stephen Rodgers, Operational Lead for IHC on 02035943863. Alternatively, email: stephen.rodgers@nhs.net
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC registration
- MSc in appropriate specialty or alternative course with equivalent experience
- Specialist Portfolio
- Degree in Biomedical Science (IBMS Accredited) or equivalent
- Evidence of participation in CPD.
Desirable
- Management certificate / qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of enzyme and immunohistochemical preparation techniques for muscle biopsies
- Extensive experience post registration in histopathology
- Knowledge and skills in routine and specialist Histology procedures
- Experience of managing / supervising staff and working in a team
- Experience of working in NHS environment, under UKAS: ISO 15189 standards.
- Experience of working to deadlines
- Extensive experience using Q-Pulse Quality management systems or other quality systems
- Experience of validation and verification of Histology tests
Desirable
- Experience of skin immunofluorescence techniques
- Extensive experience working in Neuromuscular
- In depth theoretical knowledge of Neuromuscular techniques.
- Advanced user of the Benchmark Ultra platforms or any other IHC platforms
Knowledge
Essential
- Good knowledge of Histopathology / IMF / Neuromuscular and IHC theory and practice
- Advanced trouble shooting skills for Neuromuscular
- Good interpersonal skills, able to build and develop working relationships with colleagues within and outside the Trust
- Working knowledge of data security and confidentiality
- IT Literate including use of Microsoft word, data analysis and use of WinPath LIMS
- Knowledge of quality assurance.
- Good knowledge of Quality Management System
- Knowledge of current requirements for training and career progression.
- Knowledge of basic management techniques
Desirable
- Be able to perform advanced troubleshooting of IHC.
Skills
Essential
- Competent in end to end Neuromuscular and IMF techniques.
- Extensive computer skills. Able to follow Standard Operating Procedures
- Supervisory and training skills
- Able to undertake specialist histopathology laboratory techniques
- Able to work to deadlines with accuracy.
Specific Requirements
Essential
- Hold no reservations in handling human body fluids, tissue, organs, or infected material in accordance with Health & Safety policies
Desirable
- Previous NHS experience
- A commitment to contribute to the health and care of NHS patients
- Awareness of scientific developments and modern technology in discipline and how they may influence the future of Pathology.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good organisational skills. Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to produce high quality work
- Good organisational skills. Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to produce high quality work.
- Open minded to new technology and techniques. Reliable and trustworthy. Self-motivated
- Ability to show flexibility by performing multiple tasks good hand-eye coordination & manually dexterous.
- Methodical, precise, numerate Ability to pick up techniques quickly.
- Cope with large amounts of repetitive work
- Highly motivated, innovative and adaptable
- Can think clearly and react appropriately under stress while remaining calm
Communication
Essential
- Good verbal communication skills Able to work as part of a team or independently, as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC registration
- MSc in appropriate specialty or alternative course with equivalent experience
- Specialist Portfolio
- Degree in Biomedical Science (IBMS Accredited) or equivalent
- Evidence of participation in CPD.
Desirable
- Management certificate / qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of enzyme and immunohistochemical preparation techniques for muscle biopsies
- Extensive experience post registration in histopathology
- Knowledge and skills in routine and specialist Histology procedures
- Experience of managing / supervising staff and working in a team
- Experience of working in NHS environment, under UKAS: ISO 15189 standards.
- Experience of working to deadlines
- Extensive experience using Q-Pulse Quality management systems or other quality systems
- Experience of validation and verification of Histology tests
Desirable
- Experience of skin immunofluorescence techniques
- Extensive experience working in Neuromuscular
- In depth theoretical knowledge of Neuromuscular techniques.
- Advanced user of the Benchmark Ultra platforms or any other IHC platforms
Knowledge
Essential
- Good knowledge of Histopathology / IMF / Neuromuscular and IHC theory and practice
- Advanced trouble shooting skills for Neuromuscular
- Good interpersonal skills, able to build and develop working relationships with colleagues within and outside the Trust
- Working knowledge of data security and confidentiality
- IT Literate including use of Microsoft word, data analysis and use of WinPath LIMS
- Knowledge of quality assurance.
- Good knowledge of Quality Management System
- Knowledge of current requirements for training and career progression.
- Knowledge of basic management techniques
Desirable
- Be able to perform advanced troubleshooting of IHC.
Skills
Essential
- Competent in end to end Neuromuscular and IMF techniques.
- Extensive computer skills. Able to follow Standard Operating Procedures
- Supervisory and training skills
- Able to undertake specialist histopathology laboratory techniques
- Able to work to deadlines with accuracy.
Specific Requirements
Essential
- Hold no reservations in handling human body fluids, tissue, organs, or infected material in accordance with Health & Safety policies
Desirable
- Previous NHS experience
- A commitment to contribute to the health and care of NHS patients
- Awareness of scientific developments and modern technology in discipline and how they may influence the future of Pathology.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good organisational skills. Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to produce high quality work
- Good organisational skills. Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to produce high quality work.
- Open minded to new technology and techniques. Reliable and trustworthy. Self-motivated
- Ability to show flexibility by performing multiple tasks good hand-eye coordination & manually dexterous.
- Methodical, precise, numerate Ability to pick up techniques quickly.
- Cope with large amounts of repetitive work
- Highly motivated, innovative and adaptable
- Can think clearly and react appropriately under stress while remaining calm
Communication
Essential
- Good verbal communication skills Able to work as part of a team or independently, as required.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
