Job summary
The Cellular Pathology laboratory at 60 Whitfield Street (60WS) is a consolidated service involving the Royal Free Hospital (RFH), University College London Hospitals (UCLH), Whittington Health (WH), Barnet & Chase Farm (B&CF) and the North Middlesex University Hospital (NMUH). Our new, purpose designed laboratory opened in January 2020, with entirely new equipment, and houses one of the largest Cellular Pathology services in Europe. Working closely with our academic partners in UCL and other national research bodies, the service is also a major centre for clinical trials. HSL Cellular Pathology is a UKAS Accredited Medical Laboratory (No. 9706). The laboratory also has the HSL-Advanced Diagnostics service on-site. We are looking for an experienced, motivated and enthusiastic Biomedical Scientist to join our growing team.
Main duties of the job
You will be working in our centralised 830sqm state-of-the-art Histopathology laboratory at 60 Whitfield Street. The laboratory service has completed the final stage of our consolidation with the Royal Free and this is an especially interesting time to join, as we start the introduction of digital pathology within the service. This position will suit ambitious individuals, who want to make an immediate impact and contribution on helping the team implement and develop our vision for the laboratory service we provide.
Working in the centre of London, the service is located within easy reach of many transport links, being close to Goodge Street, Warren Street and Tottenham Court Road Tube Stations and also St Pancras and Euston Stations. The local area has an almost endless supply of retail and food outlets, entertainment and cultural opportunities within walking distance.
We offer a stimulating work environment with a diverse team, very competitive salaries, 37.5 hour working week and 28 days annual leave.
Training and career progression are core parts of how we operate. We have a dedicated educational faculty within HSL coordinating training activity throughout the company, as well as our own dedicated laboratory based training manager that coordinates a range of opportunities for all staff.
About us
Sonic Healthcareis an internationally renowned healthcare provider with a demonstrable track record of medical services across the world. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, Sonic is an ASX Top 50 company that has grown to become one of the worlds leading healthcare providers, specialising in pathology, radiology and primary care medical centres. We have operations in Australia, the USA, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
Sonic Healthcare UKencompasses the two main entities in the UK, The Doctors Laboratory (TDL) and Health Services Laboratories (HSL). HSL is a partnership between The Doctors Laboratory (TDL), Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH). HSL was formed to provide pathology services to the NHS Trusts and has expanded further to provide services to other NHS Trusts. Over 2,500 staff work at Sonic Healthcare UK, primarily under the TDL or HSL banner.
Our purpose is to deliver medically-led diagnostics, innovation, value and long-term investment to healthcare. With our core laboratory based at The Halo Building in London WC1H 9AX, we also have an expanding site in Manchester as well as smaller hospital-based laboratories across the country. We maintain rigorously high standards of quality, whilst also delivering efficiencies to healthcare through careful workforce planning, pioneering technology and significant investment in infrastructure and IT.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To include, but not be restricted to, the following duties:
1. To provide a consistently efficient, accurate and world-class service to our clients and
patients.
2. To produce high quality work and gain a deep understanding of the techniques employed
in the department.
3. To produce high quality histological sections, stained with both routine H&E and special
demonstration techniques.
4. To provide a speedy and high quality frozen section service for the pathologists and the
various specialty bio banks.
5. To participate in all rotas in operation.
6. To undertake quality control of slides leaving the laboratory.
7. To assist with EQA.
8. To perform batch acceptance testing of all new reagents entering testing services in the
laboratory and to assist Section Leads in analysing and trending data generated.
9. To assist in method development and validation as required.
10. To operate and maintain laboratory equipment according to departmental and
manufacturers protocols and procedures.
11. To ensure agreed standards for turnaround times of samples and results are met.
12. To be familiar with and proficient in the use of the information technology systems within
the Department.
13. To participate in departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within
the Department.
14. To assist in planning ones own work and that of other staff within a Section.
15. To demonstrate commitment to flexible working patterns, to meet the needs of the service.
16. To participate in departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within
the department
Job description
Job responsibilities
To include, but not be restricted to, the following duties:
1. To provide a consistently efficient, accurate and world-class service to our clients and
patients.
2. To produce high quality work and gain a deep understanding of the techniques employed
in the department.
3. To produce high quality histological sections, stained with both routine H&E and special
demonstration techniques.
4. To provide a speedy and high quality frozen section service for the pathologists and the
various specialty bio banks.
5. To participate in all rotas in operation.
6. To undertake quality control of slides leaving the laboratory.
7. To assist with EQA.
8. To perform batch acceptance testing of all new reagents entering testing services in the
laboratory and to assist Section Leads in analysing and trending data generated.
9. To assist in method development and validation as required.
10. To operate and maintain laboratory equipment according to departmental and
manufacturers protocols and procedures.
11. To ensure agreed standards for turnaround times of samples and results are met.
12. To be familiar with and proficient in the use of the information technology systems within
the Department.
13. To participate in departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within
the Department.
14. To assist in planning ones own work and that of other staff within a Section.
15. To demonstrate commitment to flexible working patterns, to meet the needs of the service.
16. To participate in departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within
the department
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Some theoretical and practical knowledge in all disciplines of pathology relevant to its multidisciplinary nature.
- Previous experience in a relevant laboratory, and proficiency in techniques appropriate to the discipline.
Qualifications
Essential
- IBMS-accredited Biological Sciences degree or equivalent qualification in pathology disciplines.
- Current registration with The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Desirable
- Specialist Diploma or equivalent experience
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Some theoretical and practical knowledge in all disciplines of pathology relevant to its multidisciplinary nature.
- Previous experience in a relevant laboratory, and proficiency in techniques appropriate to the discipline.
Qualifications
Essential
- IBMS-accredited Biological Sciences degree or equivalent qualification in pathology disciplines.
- Current registration with The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Desirable
- Specialist Diploma or equivalent experience
Additional information
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).