Job summary
This is an excellent opportunity for a suitably qualified and experienced Biomedical Scientist to join our Highly Specialised Service for Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy within the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and part of the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (JWMDRC). The Muscle Immunoanalysis Unit (MIU) undertake protein analysis, immunohistochemical and immunoblotting techniques, for skeletal muscle biopsy samples.
The role is a fixed term position for 12 months in the laboratory (subject to probation) to provide additional support to our team.
The successful candidate will be reliable, enthusiastic, motivated and forward thinking. Candidates must have current HCPC registration. Experience of working in an NHS laboratory at a BMS level and previous experience of working with muscle samples within a clinical laboratory will be an advantage.
- Interview Date Tuesday 04 March 2025
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will perform the various diagnostic procedures required for the delivery of the service under the supervision and guidance of the senior scientific staff. At present, these procedures include sample reception, preparation, cryosectioning, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting of muscle biopsy specimens to detect abnormalities in protein expression.
There will be opportunity to support R&D and clinical trial activity involving the unit.
Please see the attached role descriptor for more role specific details.
About us
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospitalo Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)o Newcastle Dental Hospitalo Newcastle Fertility Centreo Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbriao Northern Genetics Serviceo Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
The JWMDRC is a partnership between Newcastle University and The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Hospitals. The Centre brings together and consolidates Newcastles distinguished, international and world-leading record in research and care for neuromuscular diseases.
The MIU is part of the Integrated Laboratory Medicine directorate has a long history of training and developing staff in different roles. The laboratory has been accredited by UKAS to the ISO15189 standards.
The MIU is based on the Dental hospital site in Newcastle. The core working hours are 0830 to 1700, Monday to Friday, but staff may be expected to participate in weekend, bank holiday and on-call rotas as required by service needs.
- The department of Cellular Pathology is made up of several sections and the post holder will normally rotate between them and participate as part of a team, in providing Histology, Non-Gynae-Cytology or Neuropathology services to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners, other Trusts and other users of the service.
- Procedures will be carried out without supervision under the guidance of a Senior Biomedical Scientist.
- To work as part of a team in the receipt of Cellular Pathology specimens, assisting in specimen dissection and preparing samples for processing, recording details on the laboratory information system, storage and eventual disposal of residual tissue.
- To undertake cryotomy on intraoperative tissue samples (frozen sections) and produce high quality sections in a timely and efficient manner .
- To undertake non-gynae cytology sample preparations including cytospin and Fine needle aspiration preparation and staining etc.
- To carry out a wide range of laboratory procedures, e.g. taking X-rays of breast and bone samples, programming tissue processors, orientating and embedding tissue samples, microtomy, tissue staining, immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy, molecular diagnostic procedures, validate results and use judgement in determining and initiating further procedures that may be required.
- To actively participate in the maintenance and basic trouble shooting of laboratory equipment, report any faults and non-compliances to a senior member of staff and take prompt and appropriate action in response to unexpected situations.
- To participate in Quality Control to report any major non-compliant events to a senior member of staff.
- To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for you, colleagues and visitors. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to a senior member of staff.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The JWMDRC is a partnership between Newcastle University and The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Hospitals. The Centre brings together and consolidates Newcastles distinguished, international and world-leading record in research and care for neuromuscular diseases.
The MIU is part of the Integrated Laboratory Medicine directorate has a long history of training and developing staff in different roles. The laboratory has been accredited by UKAS to the ISO15189 standards.
The MIU is based on the Dental hospital site in Newcastle. The core working hours are 0830 to 1700, Monday to Friday, but staff may be expected to participate in weekend, bank holiday and on-call rotas as required by service needs.
- The department of Cellular Pathology is made up of several sections and the post holder will normally rotate between them and participate as part of a team, in providing Histology, Non-Gynae-Cytology or Neuropathology services to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners, other Trusts and other users of the service.
- Procedures will be carried out without supervision under the guidance of a Senior Biomedical Scientist.
- To work as part of a team in the receipt of Cellular Pathology specimens, assisting in specimen dissection and preparing samples for processing, recording details on the laboratory information system, storage and eventual disposal of residual tissue.
- To undertake cryotomy on intraoperative tissue samples (frozen sections) and produce high quality sections in a timely and efficient manner .
- To undertake non-gynae cytology sample preparations including cytospin and Fine needle aspiration preparation and staining etc.
- To carry out a wide range of laboratory procedures, e.g. taking X-rays of breast and bone samples, programming tissue processors, orientating and embedding tissue samples, microtomy, tissue staining, immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy, molecular diagnostic procedures, validate results and use judgement in determining and initiating further procedures that may be required.
- To actively participate in the maintenance and basic trouble shooting of laboratory equipment, report any faults and non-compliances to a senior member of staff and take prompt and appropriate action in response to unexpected situations.
- To participate in Quality Control to report any major non-compliant events to a senior member of staff.
- To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for you, colleagues and visitors. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to a senior member of staff.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent qualification approved by the IBMS
- Health and Care Professions Council registration (HCPC)
Desirable
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of Cellular Pathology
- Previous laboratory experience as a Trainee Biomedical
- Scientist/Healthcare Scientist in an NHS Laboratory
- Familiarity with Health & Safety and COSHH
- Participates in CPD
Desirable
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Keyboard skills
- Able to organise and prioritise own work activities
- Communication
- Planning and organisational skills
- Analytical and judgemental skills
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent qualification approved by the IBMS
- Health and Care Professions Council registration (HCPC)
Desirable
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of Cellular Pathology
- Previous laboratory experience as a Trainee Biomedical
- Scientist/Healthcare Scientist in an NHS Laboratory
- Familiarity with Health & Safety and COSHH
- Participates in CPD
Desirable
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Keyboard skills
- Able to organise and prioritise own work activities
- Communication
- Planning and organisational skills
- Analytical and judgemental skills
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).
