We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist with Histology and team leadership experience as well as excellent interpersonal and organisational skills to join our team. Applications are invited for this exciting post within the Department of Oral/Head and Neck Pathology at Guy’s Hospital. The post holder will participate in the day-to-day workload of the routine Histology section, under the supervision of the Lead BMS, line manager and quality manager where quality related roles are performed.
The Department of Oral Pathology provides a comprehensive, fully UKAS accredited diagnostic services across South London and receives specialist referrals from all over the country. The department performs routine and various highly specialised diagnostic tests using modern equipment.
As an IBMS approved training provider, the department runs a well-structured training program that is delivered by a highly experienced and dedicated departmental training officer who is supported by a team of senior BMS staff. Team members receive personalised training program and are encouraged to actively work on their personal and professional development including support for specialist portfolios and MSc programs. Among other things, the training program comprises individual training manuals, competency assessments, registration and specialist portfolios as well as reflective learning and CPD lectures.
The post holder will perform analytical procedures necessary for the histological diagnosis of disease. Using accredited procedures, they will rotate through the routine histology laboratory including BMS cut-up, microtomy, embedding, frozen sectioning, IHC and special stains sections. They will liaise with pathologists, clinicians and laboratory staff to assist in the delivery of a professional and efficient diagnostic service. They will also support and supervise junior members of the team and support staff. There is also an opportunity for the successful candidate to undertake BMS dissection within the department.
As a band 6 BMS, the post holder is expected to plan and organise own work and follow the principles and broad occupational policies or regulations, adhering to standard operating procedures and local rules within Histopathology.
The Department of Head and Neck pathology at Guy’s Hospital currently processes approximately 8,000 surgical specimens per year, offering an impressive range of diagnostic techniques including routine histopathological methods, immunocytochemistry, and molecular pathology service.
The service is delivered by a dynamic team of 6 Biomedical Scientists and support staff spread across the Laboratory and the office. We hold IBMS training laboratory approval and participate in multiple external quality assurance schemes and demonstrate a strong commitment to continual quality improvement.
Duties and Responsibilities
Generic
1. To assume responsibility for a specified area of activity
2. To rotate through all sections of the department as required and assist in ensuring the efficient and smooth running of the section.
3. To participate in all the routine BMS tasks within the department and set a high standard
4. To be able to identify potential problems in order to maintain a safe service and reduce risk to patient care and to staff.
5. To take personal responsibility for promoting a safe environment and safe patient care, by identifying areas of risk and following the Incident Reporting policy and procedure.
6. To maintain a high level of professional conduct.
7. To attend departmental meetings as required.
8. To acquire and maintain an up to date knowledge base of Cellular Pathology developments.
9. To ensure that the workplace and work benches are kept optimally organised and maintained in accordance with agreed Health and Safety policies.
Scientific and Technical
1. To work independently; planning, organising and prioritising own workload within the overall departmental workload. Liaise with other members of staff to ensure the work is completed in an efficient and timely manner and report to the Operations Manager if their individual workload becomes too great.
2. To comply with departmental Health and Safety instructions
3. Required to analyse and make judgements on complex scientific issues where there may be a range of options from which to choose a practical solution.
4. To receive specimens into the department safely, noting minimum acceptance criteria; record and follow up discrepancies.
5. Supervise and assist at the dissection of tissue samples, providing informative support to junior clinical staff.
6. On a rotational basis, to work with fresh and formalin-fixed tissue samples, including accurate numbering of samples and the embedding of tissue into paraffin wax. Pay regard to the potential microbiological hazards posed by fresh tissue and the chemical hazard posed by formalin.
7. Supervise the safe storage of specimens after histological dissection.
8. Perform microtomy paying due regard to the inherent physical and chemical hazards posed by this technique.
9. Undertake urgent cryotomy specimens (frozen tissue) paying particular regard to the potential microbiological hazards posed by fresh tissue.
10. On a rotational basis perform appropriate tinctorial and specialised staining techniques, using highly skilled manual techniques and appropriate equipment; and paying due regard to any inherent chemical hazards.
11. On a rotational basis, participate in the provision of the immunocytochemistry service.
12. Ensure the correct selection and testing; documentation and storage of control materials, liaising with consultants when necessary.
13. Supervise the preparation and/or prepare reagents required for fixation and staining applying appropriate chemical hazard control measures.
14. Have a working knowledge of the departmental filing system in order to file or retrieve blocks and slides.
15. Assist in the supervision and training of support staff.
16. Comply with and ensure the maintenance of internal and external quality control procedures.
17. To assist in the monitoring and improvement of the technical standard of the laboratory.
18. To highlight the need for corrective action to senior staff when quality control procedures indicate loss of performance.
19. Be responsible for the safe use of highly specialised and complex laboratory equipment.
20. Supervise the disposal of tissue samples according to local procedures, always taking due precautions with respect to the hazards associated with formalin solutions.
21. Ensure the supply of clean, large specimen pots for theatre.
22. Prepare and organise specimens for x-ray analysis for end-point of decalcification or x-ray, always taking due precaution with respect to the hazards associated with formalin and acid solutions.
23. Ensure that daily/weekly/monthly maintenance of tissue processing and staining machines is carried out.
24. Ensure the safe storage and disposal of waste reagents into appropriate empty containers.
25. Refer to their immediate supervisor any matter that is beyond their level of competence.
Organisational and Administrative
1. Liaise with the pathologists to supervise junior clinical staff at specimen dissection.
2. Communicate with specimen reception to ensure notification and timely receipt of specimens, particularly urgent specimens.
3. Communicate with theatre staff to ensure timely receipt of specimens, especially urgent specimens; and advise on adequate preservation of specimens and best treatment for some specimen types.
4. Communicate with other members of the laboratory to ensure that the work is completed in an efficient and timely manner.
5. Identify problems relating to Health and Safety, maintaining agreed safety procedures.
6. Help monitor the resources of the laboratory and report any deficiencies to the Operations Manager.
7. Use the stock scanning system, monitor and maintain stocks of consumables, solvents and reagents used in the laboratory.
8. Demonstrate an awareness of, and compliance with, Health and Safety regulations, the Data Protection Act, Standard Operating Procedures and ISO15189.
9. To assist in the implementation of local policies and suggest changes to work practices / procedures
10. Update standard operating procedures where applicable under the direction of the Operations Manager
11. Adhere to the Synnovis and Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.
12. Take an active role in departmental laboratory staff meetings, which incorporate local quality improvement, dissemination of Trust and Synnovis information and departmental issues.
Line management
1. To participate in the day to day supervision and training of Medical Laboratory Assistants and Associate Practitioners.
Laboratory Informatics
1. To use information systems, specialist and general software, both in data entry and the collection and interpretation of information to assist in the provision of laboratory services.
2. To keep up to date with Departmental policies and SOP’s using Q-Pulse software, including the raising of change requests.
Quality
1. Maintain high scientific and quality standards within the section to ISO15189
2. Maintain error log in operational area under the guidance of the Quality Officer
3. Carry out laboratory audits as requested by schedule/Quality Manager
Training and Development
1. Attend/complete online mandatory training courses required by Synnovis.
2. Keep up to date with professional issues that influence biomedical science relating to their area of clinical practice, education and research.
3. Contribute towards the continuing development of the department as a learning environment for all grades of biomedical scientists and support staff
4. Participate in continuing professional development, which is a requirement for maintaining HCPC Registration, and maintaining a record of evidence of professional development in a Personal Professional Portfolio.
5. To participate as an appraisee in the Synnovis annual performance review/appraisal structure.
Research and Development
1. Participate in any research in which the department may be involved
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.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Women’s Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Children’s Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guy’s site.
You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!
