Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Biomedical Scientist in histopathology on a fixed-term full-time basis.
The successful applicant will be a HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist holding an MSc.
The Histopathology Department provides routine histology and frozen section services for the Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the regional centre for maxillofacial, corneoplastic and plastic/burns surgery. The department also receives specimens from outlying plastic outpatient clinics, maxillofacial clinics and local dental practitioners. Around 18,000 cutaneous, soft tissue, head and neck, and corneoplastic surgical specimens are processed annually.
The department is an approved Institute of Biomedical Science / Health and Care Professions Council training laboratory with United Kingdom Accreditation Service ISO 15189 accreditation. Continuing professional development is actively supported.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder is expected to perform the role of Senior Biomedical Scientist in a friendly and cooperative manner, providing technical assistance to the Laboratory Manager, other Biomedical Scientists and Consultant Histopathologists. You will be responsible for performing a range of senior specialist laboratory activities, including specimen dissection (if required), processing, embedding, microtomy, staining, and immunohistochemistry, ensuring that technical performance is of the highest standard.
You will provide specialist advice to service users and will be expected to promote continuous improvement in service delivery, quality, and accuracy within all areas of the Histology Department. The duties require a flexible approach, incorporating common sense and a positive outlook.
About us
Rated GOOD overall with outstanding care by the CQC. A specialist NHS hospital providing life-changing reconstructive surgery, burns care and rehabilitation services across the South of England and beyond.
We specialise in conditions of the eyes (corneoplastics), hands, head and neck cancer and skin cancer, reconstructive breast surgery, maxillofacial surgery and prosthetics, providing regional and national services in these areas of clinical expertise.Our world-leading clinical teams also treat more common conditions of the eyes, hands, skin, and teeth for the people of East Grinstead and the surrounding areas. In addition, QVH provides a minor injuries unit, expert therapies, a sleep service, and a growing portfolio of community-based services.Patients consistently rate QVH amongst the top hospitals in the country for quality of care.
Our success is underpinned by the skills and enthusiasm of our staff and a strong culture of partnership. We are fully committed to training and development of the workforce with support for continuing education and learning.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For full duties and responsibilities please refer to the attached document entitled Job Description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For full duties and responsibilities please refer to the attached document entitled Job Description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc Biomedical Science Degree
- MSc Biomedical Science or related science subject
- HCPC Accreditation
Desirable
- Experience with digital histopathology
- Experience with laboratory audit processes
Experience
Essential
- Experience problem-solving as a specialist BMS including leadership and projects
- Experience in a range of routine and specialist laboratory techniques
- Experience training and mentoring junior BMS/unqualified staff
- Evidence of project leadership including pathology modernisation
Desirable
- Experience with digital histopathology
- Experience with laboratory audit processes
Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent understanding of specialist histopathology techniques
- Knowledge of laboratory instrumentation and automation systems
- Understanding of workload planning, resource allocation, and laboratory efficiency.
Desirable
- Understanding of digital pathology systems, slide management software, and telepathology.
- Knowledge of ISO 15189 standards, MHRA regulations, and Human Tissue Act compliance.
Skills
Essential
- Recognise and produce work of high quality and to plan and allocate workloads efficiently, ensuring laboratory efficiency.
- Strong communication skills for liaising with pathologists, clinicians, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to develop and deliver staff training programs, promoting continuous professional development.
- Ability to cope with a wide range of complex issues prioritising effectively when dealing with competing demands
Desirable
- Experience with frozen sections and specialist dissection
- Competent in documenting procedures, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Experience with Winpath
- Strong organisational skills to manage multiple priorities, urgent specimens, and high-throughput workflows.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc Biomedical Science Degree
- MSc Biomedical Science or related science subject
- HCPC Accreditation
Desirable
- Experience with digital histopathology
- Experience with laboratory audit processes
Experience
Essential
- Experience problem-solving as a specialist BMS including leadership and projects
- Experience in a range of routine and specialist laboratory techniques
- Experience training and mentoring junior BMS/unqualified staff
- Evidence of project leadership including pathology modernisation
Desirable
- Experience with digital histopathology
- Experience with laboratory audit processes
Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent understanding of specialist histopathology techniques
- Knowledge of laboratory instrumentation and automation systems
- Understanding of workload planning, resource allocation, and laboratory efficiency.
Desirable
- Understanding of digital pathology systems, slide management software, and telepathology.
- Knowledge of ISO 15189 standards, MHRA regulations, and Human Tissue Act compliance.
Skills
Essential
- Recognise and produce work of high quality and to plan and allocate workloads efficiently, ensuring laboratory efficiency.
- Strong communication skills for liaising with pathologists, clinicians, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to develop and deliver staff training programs, promoting continuous professional development.
- Ability to cope with a wide range of complex issues prioritising effectively when dealing with competing demands
Desirable
- Experience with frozen sections and specialist dissection
- Competent in documenting procedures, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Experience with Winpath
- Strong organisational skills to manage multiple priorities, urgent specimens, and high-throughput workflows.
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).
