East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Senior Biomedical Scientist- Histological Dissection

The closing date is 23 January 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) for a Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join our Cellular Pathology Team.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, dedicated, hardworking individual to join our senior team with a focus largely on advanced Biomedical Scientist dissection. The successful individual will undertake the role of expert dissector in a range of Histopathology sub-specialities in the dissection of category A, B and C specimens. You must be able to demonstrate an extensive specimen dissection competency including complex resection specimens.

Applicants must have the IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Histopathological Dissection and the willingness to progress towards the Advanced Specialist Diploma in Histological Dissection. The candidate would be expected to liaise with the Consultant staff, and to motivate themselves via self-directed learning to achieve this goal.

In addition to the dissection role the individual will form part of the senior team at ESHT overseeing the operations and staff within our department; providing leadership, expertise and troubleshooting in the Histology laboratory; including specimen reception, tissue dissection, processing, sectioning, routine staining, immunocytochemistry and digital pathology.

This position will be across two sites: the Conquest Hospital in Hastings and Eastbourne District General Hospital

Main duties of the job

(For the full duties of the job, please see attached full job description and person specification).

  • Histological dissection of category A, B and C specimens
  • Management and participation in the day-to-day running of the main histopathology laboratory.
  • To ensure, supervise and monitor the quality of the work produced in the main histopathology laboratory.
  • To develop, implement and maintain departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • To ensure that the performances in EQA and IQA programmes are satisfactory.
  • To ensure routine operative maintenance on laboratory instruments is undertaken.
  • To use specialist knowledge to troubleshoot any issues as they arise.
  • To participate in the conduct of annual staff appraisals, continual professional development (CPD) and the educational activities of the department.
  • To assist in the recruitment, appointment and induction of staff into the department.
  • To assist with departmental training and competency assessment.
  • To participate in quality and governance management of the department.
  • To participate in ensuring that the department complies with the requirements of UKAS accreditation to ISO15189:2012/2022.
  • To adhere to Health and Safety legislation and guidelines that apply in a pathology department.

About us

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Details

Date posted

12 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

374-ED1056

Job locations

Conquest Hospital

The Ridge

St Leonards-on-Sea

TN37 7RD


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • B.Sc (Hons) in Biomedical Science or equivalent.
  • State Registration (Health Professionals Council)
  • Postgraduate specialised training evidenced by completion of IBMS specialist portfolio or equivalent
  • MSc or equivalent qualification such as the IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma in Cellular Pathology, Cytopathology or Leadership and Management
  • Demonstrable knowledge and skills achieved through ongoing professional development and attendance on educational and practical courses

Desirable

  • FIBMS
  • Evidence of management training

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience of all aspects in Cellular Pathology
  • Experience of service improvement
  • Experience of working as part of a team

Desirable

  • Evidence of supervising a team

Skills

Essential

  • Highly developed Histological/Cytological skills and techniques.
  • Good knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and procedures as applied in Pathology.
  • Sound Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practice.
  • Good communications and interpersonal skills.
  • Capable of leading and working as part of a team.
  • Capable of working on own initiative and managing own workload.
  • Ability to organise and delegate work to junior members of staff
  • Capable of working under pressure.
  • Ability to cut and stain frozen sections
  • Ability to train others
  • Good concentration skills.
  • Good keyboard and IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Excel and Outlook

Desirable

  • Capable of working in difficult environmental conditions.
  • Experience of successful UKAS inspection participation
  • Experience of validating new equipment
  • Knowledge of the Roche Ultra and BSS special stains platform
  • Ability to carry out and troubleshoot special stains and immunohistochemical techniques
  • Knowledge of APEX and/or Winpath Enterprise.
  • Knowledge of Vantage for specimen tracking, SECTRA PACS for imaging data access and TalkingPoint Voice Recognition for documentation.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • B.Sc (Hons) in Biomedical Science or equivalent.
  • State Registration (Health Professionals Council)
  • Postgraduate specialised training evidenced by completion of IBMS specialist portfolio or equivalent
  • MSc or equivalent qualification such as the IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma in Cellular Pathology, Cytopathology or Leadership and Management
  • Demonstrable knowledge and skills achieved through ongoing professional development and attendance on educational and practical courses

Desirable

  • FIBMS
  • Evidence of management training

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience of all aspects in Cellular Pathology
  • Experience of service improvement
  • Experience of working as part of a team

Desirable

  • Evidence of supervising a team

Skills

Essential

  • Highly developed Histological/Cytological skills and techniques.
  • Good knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and procedures as applied in Pathology.
  • Sound Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practice.
  • Good communications and interpersonal skills.
  • Capable of leading and working as part of a team.
  • Capable of working on own initiative and managing own workload.
  • Ability to organise and delegate work to junior members of staff
  • Capable of working under pressure.
  • Ability to cut and stain frozen sections
  • Ability to train others
  • Good concentration skills.
  • Good keyboard and IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, Excel and Outlook

Desirable

  • Capable of working in difficult environmental conditions.
  • Experience of successful UKAS inspection participation
  • Experience of validating new equipment
  • Knowledge of the Roche Ultra and BSS special stains platform
  • Ability to carry out and troubleshoot special stains and immunohistochemical techniques
  • Knowledge of APEX and/or Winpath Enterprise.
  • Knowledge of Vantage for specimen tracking, SECTRA PACS for imaging data access and TalkingPoint Voice Recognition for documentation.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Conquest Hospital

The Ridge

St Leonards-on-Sea

TN37 7RD


Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Conquest Hospital

The Ridge

St Leonards-on-Sea

TN37 7RD


Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Biomedical Scientist (Cellular Pathology)

Ellie Hopkins-Button

ellie.hopkins@nhs.net

03001314916

Details

Date posted

12 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

374-ED1056

Job locations

Conquest Hospital

The Ridge

St Leonards-on-Sea

TN37 7RD


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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