Biomedical Scientist

Job description

Job responsibilities

At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland,and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London. This post is based in The Department of Clinical Neuropathology on the Kings College Hospital Denmark Hill campus.

The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.

The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.

The department of Clinical Neuropathology provides high-quality UKAS accredited diagnostic services and conducts research into disease of the nervous system. A wide range of CNS and PNS specimens are handled. Services include diagnosis of tumours as well as other pathologies on Pituitary biopsies, Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), Muscle and Nerve biopsy, Intra-Epidermal Nerve Fibre Density analysis (IENFD), Epilepsy surgery and supporting comprehensive Neuro Molecular Genetic testing. The department provides autopsy examinations and forensic neuropathology, particularly for head injury and co-ordinates research projects and teaching courses in traumatic neuropathology. The department also provides clinical diagnosis for the Centre for Nervous Tissue Bio-Resource (Brain Bank) for neurodegenerative disease.

Kings College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UKs leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. Kings has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.

Over the last 170 years, Kings has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL:

1. To carry out histological demonstration of tissue constituents on a range of samples using a variety of highly specialised techniques.

2. To liaise with Neuropathologists, users, and other departments within the Trust in relation to the provision of the clinical service.

3. To work as economically with ones time, equipment and consumables as is practicable to achieve work objectives.

4. To keep work area clean and tidy and make sure everything is left as one would expect to find it.

5. To regularly analyse the quality of work with the relevant senior BMS and provide advice as required.

7. To participate in internal quality control systems and all relevant external quality assessment schemes.

8. To utilise and ensure accurate data entry within our laboratory Information Management System (EPIC Beaker)

OTHER DUTIES:

Maintain stocks of all chemicals and reagents. Inform the appropriate senior BMS or Laboratory Manager when stocks are running low such that replacements arrive before they run out.

Meticulously maintain the records of work and tests carried out on each sample, either manually or on computer (as required), as it progresses through the laboratory.

Liaise with the appropriate senior BMS when organising work priorities.

When required, retrieve microscope slides from the archives, cut sections and prepare additional stains for various clinical meetings run by the Department.

When requested, prepare test material for EQA schemes.

Carry out audits (when appointed to do so by the Quality Manager) as part of the Departments internal quality management system to meet the requirements of UKAS accreditation to ISO15189. When completed, prepare a report (including any non-compliances) and present the findings to the Quality Manager.

Maintain registration with the Health and Care Professions Council to practice as a Biomedical Scientist.

The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and well-being and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.

To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.

The post holder may be required to carry out other duties in line with the grading of the post. The job description may be subject to change and, if so, this will take place in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered as a Biomedical Scientist with Health Care Professions Council.
• Completed, or in advanced stages of completing, IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Cellular Pathology or equivalent.

Desirable

• MSc or IBMS higher specialist diploma.
• Member of the IBMS.

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable understanding of handling tissue for histological processes.
• Significant experience working in a variety of work settings in either a neuropathology or a histopathology laboratory.

Desirable

• Experience working within a UKAS accredited cellular pathology laboratory.
• To have practical experience using automated immuno-staining machines.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Proficient in a wide range of histological techniques, including immunohistochemistry.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable

• Practical expertise in neuro-histological techniques.
• Experienced in using laboratory information management systems.
• Experienced in the maintenance and use of Quality Management Systems including QPulse.

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

Synnovis Analytics

Address

King’s College Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 9RS

Employer's website

http://www.synnovis.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)