The post is for an Associate Practitioner to assist in the processing of surgical specimens together with other day-to-day laboratory activities. They will perform Histology laboratory techniques accurately, efficiently and according to Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures. In addition to support staff roles, these techniques include embedding, microtomy of formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue and special stains.
BMS staff are available for technical support, quality assessments and advice when required. The post holder will also assist with the preparatory procedures of surgical specimens for microscopic examination. Using standard operating procedures, they will rotate through the Histology laboratory, specimen reception and specimen dissection areas. Working alongside Biomedical Scientist staff they will liaise with Pathologists, Clinicians and laboratory staff to assist in the delivery of a professional and efficient diagnostic service.
We are an IBMS approved training provider (for both the registration and specialist portfolios) and staff are encouraged to actively work on their personal and professional development including support for HCPC registration, specialist portfolios and MSc programmes wherever possible. The training programme comprises individual training manuals, competency assessments, registration and specialist portfolios as well as reflective learning and CPD lectures.
Under the direction of a Senior BMS, duties will include data entry, machine maintenance and reagent management and assisting medical and technical staff in various duties including specimen dissection.
The post holder will perform analytical procedures necessary for the histological diagnosis of disease. After in-house training and successfully completing the relevant competency assessments, they will rotate through the routine histology laboratory sections including microtomy, embedding and special stains. They will liaise with Pathologists, Clinicians and other laboratory staff to assist in the delivery of a professional and efficient diagnostic service.
After receiving the necessary training and support from the senior team, the post holder is expected to plan and organise their own work and follow the principles and broad occupational policies or regulations, adhering to standard operating procedures and local rules within Histopathology.
The post holder is expected to maintain professional competency and dexterity in those precision based specialist and physical tasks, and maintain the levels of concentration required to uphold a quality service. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential in order to give and seek complex scientific, medical and sensitive information as part of the scientific and communication process of service provision.
The Institute of Liver Studies at King’s encompasses clinical service and academic activities (undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and overlapping research) in adult and paediatric hepatology, hepatobiliary surgery and liver transplantation. It was established in 1966 and is the largest specialist centre in Europe for the treatment of Liver disease.
The Liver Histopathology section provides a specialist histopathology service to the liver transplantation service, adult hepatobiliary services and paediatric liver services, and is an internationally recognised centre of scientific investigation.
Liver Histopathology is one of the ultra-specialist laboratories within the Synnovis analytics core service. The laboratory is ISO 15189:2022 accredited (No. 8805) and is approved by the IBMS to provide training for both registration and specialist (cellular pathology) portfolios. The candidate will be part of a team of scientific staff involved in the delivery of our clinical Histopathology service.
We handle approximately 4500 specimens annually including liver biopsies, liver and pancreato-biliary resection specimens, pancreato-biliary cytology and referrals for expert liver pathology opinion from other centres, both nationally and internationally. There is also an active postgraduate pathology teaching programme supporting UK and international visiting pathologists.
This is an excellent opportunity for applicants with ambition to progress within Histopathology. The post holder is required to participate in the routine histology workload within the various sections of the Liver Histopathology laboratory including sorting out samples within specimen reception, booking in samples, assisting cut-up procedures, equipment maintenance and reagent management, embedding, paraffin section cutting, routine and special staining procedures. The candidate will also have the opportunity to participate in laboratory audits, assist with research projects and in validation projects to improve existing tests and for the introduction of new tests.
The post holder is expected to maintain professional competency and dexterity in those precision based specialist and physical tasks, and maintain the levels of concentration required to uphold service quality.
As part of the quality management system, the post holder is required to be involved in the department’s efforts in maintaining high quality diagnostic tests by working closely with the departmental Quality Lead and Quality Manager (The full list of duties and responsibilities can be found in the Job Description).
In addition, there are a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.
Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
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.
King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. King’s 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, King’s has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.
