Job summary
The Histology Department at Maidstone Hospital is looking for a Senior Biomedical Scientist with excellent organisational and staff leadership skills.
You will work closely with the departmental management team, and with senior colleagues, to ensure delivery of a high quality, efficient, cost effective service for the benefit of patients and service users.
Maidstone Hospital includes the regional Oncology centre which is expanding in support of the Kent cancer network. The Histology department provides services for Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trusts, Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust. Consequently, there is a combined Histology workload of around 85,000 cases per year. The department carries out a wide range of investigations including various specialist resections from hospitals within the Kent & Medway. It also includes an expanding immunocytochemistry section that has an annual through-put of approximately 55,000 tests.
Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for the technical quality and organisational workflow of the main laboratory section of the laboratory. This requires coordinating available resources, including equipment and staff, to ensure optimal service delivery
The post holder will be responsible for training departmental staff in core histological techniques and for coordinating the day to day running of the main laboratory. This means they will be required to take a key role in workflow prioritisation and problem solving. It is also essential the post holder demonstrates and maintains continuing professional development (CPD) in both quality management practices and Histology activities.
About us
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible, working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:o At least 27 days of annual leaveplus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).o Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefitso Blue Light cardeligibilityo And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Job description
Job responsibilities
Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions before submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at a Standard Level.
Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original dates, so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions before submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at a Standard Level.
Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original dates, so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- HCPC registration as Biomedical Scientist
- Fellowship of IBMS, MSc in biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
Desirable
- Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences
- Evidence of managerial training/ qualification
- Specialist qualification in histology
- IBMS certificates of extended or expert practice
- Completion of IBMS specialist portfolio (or registration under CPSM)
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- Track record of effective staff leadership
- Participation in laboratory audit activities
- Advanced understanding of Histology laboratory technique and its contribution to Histopathology diagnosis plus an awareness of modern trends in Histology
- Experience of working in NHS, or equivalent Histology laboratory (minimum 2 years post specialist portfolio completion).
- Evidence of experience of accreditation process against ISO15189:2012 standards/relevant accreditation body
- Experience of writing/ reviewing SOPs in line with local or national guidelines
Desirable
- Human Resource management experience
- Experience of using quality management software (such as i-passport or QPulse
Skills
Essential
- High level of manual dexterity
- Ability to organise own work and to do so under pressure.
- Able to manage and prioritise the work of the Histology laboratory and direct staff accordingly
- Able to problem solve
- Able to write complex documents with clarity and precision for use as SOPs or as reports
- Excellent communications skills with good command of written and verbal English
Desirable
- Change management skills
- Human Resource management skills
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- HCPC registration as Biomedical Scientist
- Fellowship of IBMS, MSc in biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
Desirable
- Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences
- Evidence of managerial training/ qualification
- Specialist qualification in histology
- IBMS certificates of extended or expert practice
- Completion of IBMS specialist portfolio (or registration under CPSM)
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- Track record of effective staff leadership
- Participation in laboratory audit activities
- Advanced understanding of Histology laboratory technique and its contribution to Histopathology diagnosis plus an awareness of modern trends in Histology
- Experience of working in NHS, or equivalent Histology laboratory (minimum 2 years post specialist portfolio completion).
- Evidence of experience of accreditation process against ISO15189:2012 standards/relevant accreditation body
- Experience of writing/ reviewing SOPs in line with local or national guidelines
Desirable
- Human Resource management experience
- Experience of using quality management software (such as i-passport or QPulse
Skills
Essential
- High level of manual dexterity
- Ability to organise own work and to do so under pressure.
- Able to manage and prioritise the work of the Histology laboratory and direct staff accordingly
- Able to problem solve
- Able to write complex documents with clarity and precision for use as SOPs or as reports
- Excellent communications skills with good command of written and verbal English
Desirable
- Change management skills
- Human Resource management 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).
