Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for an experienced HCPC-registered Advanced cutup practitioner within our Histology department based at Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow. However, applications are also invited from individuals who is currently pursuing their specimen dissection qualification. Our department operates from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday. We are looking for a candidate who have completed their IBMS DEP in specimen dissection qualification and can demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills. The successful candidate is expected to provide Histology services mainly specimen dissection but may include embedding, microtomy, cryotomy, special stains, Immunohistochemistry etc.
Main duties of the job
You will be joining our energetic, highly motivated, dynamic & passionate team of 65 people. You are expected to be proactive, motivated and a team player with an excellent communication skill. The successful candidate will also have opportunities to progress in their careers.
We provide Cellular Pathology services toLondon Northwest University Healthcare NHS Trust (one of the largest integrated NHS Trusts in the country).
We are UKAS accredited and a recognised HCPC / IBMS training laboratory.
About us
At TDL we offer a variety of excellent staff benefits including:
Training and development opportunities supporting professional development
Annual salary review- No banding restrictions:As we are a private company we are not restricted by salary bandings and so are able to negotiate appropriate salaries based on experience. This also means that annual salary reviews do not hit a band ceiling.
Discounted gym membership we have a corporate gym membership scheme with Better Gyms
Cash healthcare plan cash back on a variety of healthcare costs including dentist and opticians
Sick Pay Entitlement 5 paid days in the first year of employment, 20 days thereafter
Permanent Health Insurance and Death in Service Cover
Life Assurance providing salary continuation for long term illness (six months qualifying period)
Employee Assistance Programme supporting staff wellbeing
Season Ticket Loan Scheme interest free loan for the cost of annual travel ticket
Perkbox Access to additional staff perks and benefits such as high street discounts
Company Pension Scheme company and staff contributions which increase with service
Competitive annual leave allowance 28 days
Flexible working hours we support and offer flexibility around shift patterns and working schedule
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. With support from the Consultant Histopathologist team be responsible for the direct delivery
of histopathological dissection of category A, B, C, D and E specimens using Royal College of
Pathologist data sets, including the macroscopic description of surgically removed specimens.
As competence is obtained, contribution will be as an independent practitioner.
2. Use specialist professional judgement, scientific knowledge, and experience in determining
appropriate tissue selection for further examination based on visible pathological features and
assessment of the submitted clinical details.
3. Specimen dissection requires acute hand/eye co-ordination, physical dexterity and judgement
acquired through the assimilation of academic knowledge (degree level and post graduate
level) and practical experience when assessing macroscopic specimens with interpretation of
pathological conditions.4. Ensure that Consultant Histopathologists are informed of any significant unexpected abnormal
findings at dissection as soon as possible.
5. Performing Histology dissection accurately, efficiently, and according to Laboratory Standard
Operating Procedures, national guidelines and best practice and supervise juniors staff and
contributing to the provision of high quality histology service at Northwick Park Hospital.
6. Supervise and perform investigations of varying complexity, utilising specialist knowledge and
skills.
7. Demonstrate use of personal judgement based on advanced experience and knowledge to
ensure correct decisions are made by Biomedical Scientists and support staff on all aspects of
specimen dissection.
8. Advise and liaise with non-departmental staff (i.e. clinicians, theatre staff, GPs, staff in other
Trusts) re: the correct collection and handling procedures of patients biopsies.
9. Helping to ensure service Quality and operational KPIs are met, assist with the review of
workflow operations and helping to always maintain the highest professional and technical
standards within the service.
10. To regularly supervise and review all technical procedures performed within the laboratory,
including the establishment and monitoring of effective internal and external quality control
and quality assurance schemes.
11. Responsible for the supervision of equipment and facilitate adequate maintenance, repair and
safety of relevant departmental equipment.
12. To apply specialist operational and technical knowledge to advise laboratory staff on any
trouble-shooting or technical queries within normal working hours and out of hours.
13. To ensure that the catalogue of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in specimen reception
and dissection are comprehensive and relevant and that all SOPs are updated in a timely
fashion
14. In conjunction with other Advanced BMS staff be responsible for completion and supervision of
specimen reception and dissection examination, vertical, and horizontal audits according to the
departmental audit schedule, in a timely fashion.
15. In conjunction with the Quality Lead report and investigate nonconformances in the specimen
reception and dissection service, including completing and reviewing error logs and subsequent
actions.
16. Be responsible for the identification of possible areas of risk and takes appropriate action to
minimise the risk.
17. Assist the Lead and Advanced Biomedical Scientists in ensuring specimen dissection complies
with all relevant statutory requirements, clinical governance, risk management, and
accreditation systems.18. Report and assist with the investigation of complaints and incidents in histopathology in
accordance with TDL and Trust policies.
19. To ensure compliance with local and national safety policies and fire regulations and ensure
safe working environment for staff and visitors.
20. To deal with and resolve technical problems in relation to specimen reception & dissection as
they arise and report them as appropriate.
21. To undertake routine analytical work if required.
22. To help ensure that the department meets all standards required by UKAS
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. With support from the Consultant Histopathologist team be responsible for the direct delivery
of histopathological dissection of category A, B, C, D and E specimens using Royal College of
Pathologist data sets, including the macroscopic description of surgically removed specimens.
As competence is obtained, contribution will be as an independent practitioner.
2. Use specialist professional judgement, scientific knowledge, and experience in determining
appropriate tissue selection for further examination based on visible pathological features and
assessment of the submitted clinical details.
3. Specimen dissection requires acute hand/eye co-ordination, physical dexterity and judgement
acquired through the assimilation of academic knowledge (degree level and post graduate
level) and practical experience when assessing macroscopic specimens with interpretation of
pathological conditions.4. Ensure that Consultant Histopathologists are informed of any significant unexpected abnormal
findings at dissection as soon as possible.
5. Performing Histology dissection accurately, efficiently, and according to Laboratory Standard
Operating Procedures, national guidelines and best practice and supervise juniors staff and
contributing to the provision of high quality histology service at Northwick Park Hospital.
6. Supervise and perform investigations of varying complexity, utilising specialist knowledge and
skills.
7. Demonstrate use of personal judgement based on advanced experience and knowledge to
ensure correct decisions are made by Biomedical Scientists and support staff on all aspects of
specimen dissection.
8. Advise and liaise with non-departmental staff (i.e. clinicians, theatre staff, GPs, staff in other
Trusts) re: the correct collection and handling procedures of patients biopsies.
9. Helping to ensure service Quality and operational KPIs are met, assist with the review of
workflow operations and helping to always maintain the highest professional and technical
standards within the service.
10. To regularly supervise and review all technical procedures performed within the laboratory,
including the establishment and monitoring of effective internal and external quality control
and quality assurance schemes.
11. Responsible for the supervision of equipment and facilitate adequate maintenance, repair and
safety of relevant departmental equipment.
12. To apply specialist operational and technical knowledge to advise laboratory staff on any
trouble-shooting or technical queries within normal working hours and out of hours.
13. To ensure that the catalogue of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in specimen reception
and dissection are comprehensive and relevant and that all SOPs are updated in a timely
fashion
14. In conjunction with other Advanced BMS staff be responsible for completion and supervision of
specimen reception and dissection examination, vertical, and horizontal audits according to the
departmental audit schedule, in a timely fashion.
15. In conjunction with the Quality Lead report and investigate nonconformances in the specimen
reception and dissection service, including completing and reviewing error logs and subsequent
actions.
16. Be responsible for the identification of possible areas of risk and takes appropriate action to
minimise the risk.
17. Assist the Lead and Advanced Biomedical Scientists in ensuring specimen dissection complies
with all relevant statutory requirements, clinical governance, risk management, and
accreditation systems.18. Report and assist with the investigation of complaints and incidents in histopathology in
accordance with TDL and Trust policies.
19. To ensure compliance with local and national safety policies and fire regulations and ensure
safe working environment for staff and visitors.
20. To deal with and resolve technical problems in relation to specimen reception & dissection as
they arise and report them as appropriate.
21. To undertake routine analytical work if required.
22. To help ensure that the department meets all standards required by UKAS
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 2 years experience in specimen dissection and related tasks
- Able to supervise and help manage a histology analytical service
- Experience at supervisory level in an general histology service
- Experience in analysis, interpretation and technical validation of
- diagnostic histology results
- Sufficient knowledge to be able to analyse and trouble shoot technical and analytical problems
- Experience in quality assurance principles and practice
- Experience in verification and introduction of new techniques and equipment
- Knowledge of maintaining and accredited service including UKAS/CQC registration and IBMS standards
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)
- Experience on training laboratory staff and assessing competence
- Experience with quality management systems
- Theoretical and Practical knowledge of specimen dissection / Histology techniques.
Qualifications
Essential
- Bachelors degree in biomedical science or Qualification in Histology
- consistent with State Registration requirement.
- Current registration with The Health Professions Council (HCPC).
- Relevant Masters degree or equivalent
- IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Histological Dissection qualificatio
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 2 years experience in specimen dissection and related tasks
- Able to supervise and help manage a histology analytical service
- Experience at supervisory level in an general histology service
- Experience in analysis, interpretation and technical validation of
- diagnostic histology results
- Sufficient knowledge to be able to analyse and trouble shoot technical and analytical problems
- Experience in quality assurance principles and practice
- Experience in verification and introduction of new techniques and equipment
- Knowledge of maintaining and accredited service including UKAS/CQC registration and IBMS standards
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)
- Experience on training laboratory staff and assessing competence
- Experience with quality management systems
- Theoretical and Practical knowledge of specimen dissection / Histology techniques.
Qualifications
Essential
- Bachelors degree in biomedical science or Qualification in Histology
- consistent with State Registration requirement.
- Current registration with The Health Professions Council (HCPC).
- Relevant Masters degree or equivalent
- IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Histological Dissection qualificatio
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).