Job summary
The Neuropathology Department at Southmead Hospital are seeking a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist!
You will have a friendly, adaptable and proactive approach to your work. You will need to be highly motivated, dedicated, enthusiastic and flexible.
Some previous experience of working in a busy NHS pathology laboratory is desirable and membership of the IBMS is an advantage. As a Biomedical Scientist you will be expected to be involved with all aspects of the service, a broad range of immunohistochemical tests and special stains. The successful applicant will be expected to have successfully completed the IBMS Registration Portfolio, but consideration will be made to those who are currently undertaking the portfolio.
The ideal candidate will be organised, keen to learn and reliable. They must be able to work effectively as part of a small team, as well as being able to work independently. Excellent communication skills are required and must have attention to detail. Some knowledge of BSN EN ISO:15189 would be an advantage.
If you feel that you would thrive in this fast-paced environment, enjoy challenging yourself and are willing to learn and develop, then we can offer you a dynamic and supportive place in our team.
PLEASE BE AWARE THIS VACANCY WILL CLOSE EARLY IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS
Main duties of the job
At NBT we commit to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our services.
In this vital role you will:
- Ensure safe working laboratory practices in the department in compliance with the Trust and departmental policies and procedures, including safe checks of samples received, accurate entry of information to the laboratory information and management system (LIMS).
- Adhere to good quality procedures and practices to ensure continuing provision of a high quality service
- Operate with the quality management and clinical governance processes currently in place in the department
- Participate and be competent in all sections of the laboratory to produce a timely and high quality service to users.
- Participate in education and training for other members of staff.
- Undertake other duties that may be required appropriate to training and responsibilities of the grade.
- Assist in maintenance of supplies within the department.
- Rotate through areas of the laboratory carrying out standard histological techniques including microtomy, paraffin embedding and assisting dissection.
- Assist in the preparation and updating of departmental documentation - such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
About us
We are a small, hard-working, close knit team striving to get the best results possible for the care of the patients.
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification attached for more detailed information.
Scientific/ Technical
- To participate in the reception, preparation, documentation and subsequent safe disposal of all specimens
- To adhere to and assist in ensuring ongoing accuracy of established protocols and procedures ensuring that:o There is consistency in the preparation of laboratory specimenso Equipment safety and maintenance schedules are followedo Health and safety standards are meto Appropriate records are maintained (in both electronic and written formats)
- To assist in investigation into laboratory incidents and other aspects of ensuring ongoing quality such as auditing following appropriate training
- To ensure completion of appropriate training and maintenance of competency, escalating any training needs
- To rotate through all sections of the department, participating in the duties indicated in the following paragraphso Paraffin wax histology of surgical biopsies -Assisting a pathologist with specimen cut-upProcessing and embedding specimens into waxMicrotomy of wax blocks using a rotary microtome to produce sections for mounting on slidesStaining of these slides by a range of dye methods to demonstrate specific tissue componentso Identifying and assessing control material for use with the departments panel of special stainso Paraffin wax histology of autopsy specimens to include -Processing and embedding large specimens into waxMicrotomy of large dimension wax blocks using a base-sledge microtome to produce sections for mounting on large format slidesStaining of these slides by a range of dye methods to demonstrate specific tissue componentsUsing various specialised silver impregnation techniques to demonstrate morphological features specific to the nervous systemo Urgent interoperative diagnostic methods -Staining of biopsy tissue smears for inter-operative diagnosisFreezing and cutting sections of these frozen blocks of biopsy tissue using a cryostat. These sections are mounted on slides and stained.o Enzyme histochemistry of muscle biopsies -Dissection, sampling and rapid freezing of specimens using iso-pentane cooled in liquid nitrogenUsing a cryostat to cut sections of the frozen muscle for mounting on glass slidesPerforming a range of enzyme histochemical incubations on mounted sections of the specimen to demonstrate the pattern of activity of these enzymes in the muscle tissueo Immunohistochemistry - Application of immunohistochemistry techniques to both wax-embedded and frozen tissue samples. Use of appropriate pre-treatment methods on slides prior to incubation. Application of automated techniques to demonstrate a wide spectrum of tissue components (currently utilising approximately 100 different antibody markers). Assistance with the validation and verification of reagents and methods to ensure optimal sensitivity and performance. Identification and assessment of suitable control material for use with the departments panel of primary antibodies.o Cytology methods -Preparation of slides containing cells extracted from cerebral spinal fluid suspensions using a cytocentrifugation technique;Staining of these slides for microscopy In addition, the post-holder may be required to provide occasional technical support for some departmental research activities
Service support
To assist in implementing both internal QC and external QA activities To assist in the day-to-day maintenance of the departments facilities, to include:o Preparation of reagentso Filing of specimens and slideso Cleaning & preparation of glassware and other lab materialso Equipment maintenanceo Stock control To assist in training and supervising more junior staff within this Department
CommunicationsThe post-holder is required to communicate biomedical information of varying degrees of complexity with medical, scientific and secretarial staff within the Neuropathology Department, and in other departments both within and outside of the North Bristol NHS Trust. This involves providing and receiving information both verbally and in writing
Other dutiesThe post-holder may be required to undertake additional duties commensurate with the grade of post, and in the event of staff absence, may be required to cover for both higher and subordinate grades within the Neuropathology Department
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification attached for more detailed information.
Scientific/ Technical
- To participate in the reception, preparation, documentation and subsequent safe disposal of all specimens
- To adhere to and assist in ensuring ongoing accuracy of established protocols and procedures ensuring that:o There is consistency in the preparation of laboratory specimenso Equipment safety and maintenance schedules are followedo Health and safety standards are meto Appropriate records are maintained (in both electronic and written formats)
- To assist in investigation into laboratory incidents and other aspects of ensuring ongoing quality such as auditing following appropriate training
- To ensure completion of appropriate training and maintenance of competency, escalating any training needs
- To rotate through all sections of the department, participating in the duties indicated in the following paragraphso Paraffin wax histology of surgical biopsies -Assisting a pathologist with specimen cut-upProcessing and embedding specimens into waxMicrotomy of wax blocks using a rotary microtome to produce sections for mounting on slidesStaining of these slides by a range of dye methods to demonstrate specific tissue componentso Identifying and assessing control material for use with the departments panel of special stainso Paraffin wax histology of autopsy specimens to include -Processing and embedding large specimens into waxMicrotomy of large dimension wax blocks using a base-sledge microtome to produce sections for mounting on large format slidesStaining of these slides by a range of dye methods to demonstrate specific tissue componentsUsing various specialised silver impregnation techniques to demonstrate morphological features specific to the nervous systemo Urgent interoperative diagnostic methods -Staining of biopsy tissue smears for inter-operative diagnosisFreezing and cutting sections of these frozen blocks of biopsy tissue using a cryostat. These sections are mounted on slides and stained.o Enzyme histochemistry of muscle biopsies -Dissection, sampling and rapid freezing of specimens using iso-pentane cooled in liquid nitrogenUsing a cryostat to cut sections of the frozen muscle for mounting on glass slidesPerforming a range of enzyme histochemical incubations on mounted sections of the specimen to demonstrate the pattern of activity of these enzymes in the muscle tissueo Immunohistochemistry - Application of immunohistochemistry techniques to both wax-embedded and frozen tissue samples. Use of appropriate pre-treatment methods on slides prior to incubation. Application of automated techniques to demonstrate a wide spectrum of tissue components (currently utilising approximately 100 different antibody markers). Assistance with the validation and verification of reagents and methods to ensure optimal sensitivity and performance. Identification and assessment of suitable control material for use with the departments panel of primary antibodies.o Cytology methods -Preparation of slides containing cells extracted from cerebral spinal fluid suspensions using a cytocentrifugation technique;Staining of these slides for microscopy In addition, the post-holder may be required to provide occasional technical support for some departmental research activities
Service support
To assist in implementing both internal QC and external QA activities To assist in the day-to-day maintenance of the departments facilities, to include:o Preparation of reagentso Filing of specimens and slideso Cleaning & preparation of glassware and other lab materialso Equipment maintenanceo Stock control To assist in training and supervising more junior staff within this Department
CommunicationsThe post-holder is required to communicate biomedical information of varying degrees of complexity with medical, scientific and secretarial staff within the Neuropathology Department, and in other departments both within and outside of the North Bristol NHS Trust. This involves providing and receiving information both verbally and in writing
Other dutiesThe post-holder may be required to undertake additional duties commensurate with the grade of post, and in the event of staff absence, may be required to cover for both higher and subordinate grades within the Neuropathology Department
Person Specification
Education/Training/Qualifications
Essential
- First degree or equivalent in Biomedical Sciences
- Evidence of commitment to Continuing Professional Development
- State registration with HCPC
Desirable
- A postgraduate level qualification (with specialisation in Cell Path or Neuropath), or a comparable level of knowledge and experience
Work Experience
Essential
- Extensive theoretical knowledge and practical experience of histopathology techniques to include immunocytochemistry and enzyme histochemistry
- Extensive knowledge of health and safety procedures in the laboratory
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of neuropathology
- Experience of organising, training, supervising and mentoring of junior staff
- Extensive knowledge of quality management and experience in BSN: EN ISO15189:2012
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Good IT skills and knowledge of MS programs
- Ability to work to SOPs
- Able to trouble shoot failures of laboratory equipment and procedures
Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances
Essential
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to work in an accurate and timely manner with a high level of concentration
- Able to provide judgement on a wide range of complex laboratory issues
- Highly organised
- Able to work effectively as part of a team, and independently
Person Specification
Education/Training/Qualifications
Essential
- First degree or equivalent in Biomedical Sciences
- Evidence of commitment to Continuing Professional Development
- State registration with HCPC
Desirable
- A postgraduate level qualification (with specialisation in Cell Path or Neuropath), or a comparable level of knowledge and experience
Work Experience
Essential
- Extensive theoretical knowledge and practical experience of histopathology techniques to include immunocytochemistry and enzyme histochemistry
- Extensive knowledge of health and safety procedures in the laboratory
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of neuropathology
- Experience of organising, training, supervising and mentoring of junior staff
- Extensive knowledge of quality management and experience in BSN: EN ISO15189:2012
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Good IT skills and knowledge of MS programs
- Ability to work to SOPs
- Able to trouble shoot failures of laboratory equipment and procedures
Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances
Essential
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to work in an accurate and timely manner with a high level of concentration
- Able to provide judgement on a wide range of complex laboratory issues
- Highly organised
- Able to work effectively as part of a team, and independently
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).
