Band 7 Senior Biomedical Scientist - Histology

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Our trust has around 10,000 staff serving 1.6 million patients. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital and more than 30 services in the community. This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.

Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers' money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation.

Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

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Job overview

The post holder will be required to perform as a senior specialist HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist (BMS) in the histology section, deputising for the head of fibril typing where appropriate. They will be required to lead and supervise a team comprising of biomedical scientists and technicians with the responsibility for providing a highly specialised, cohesive, high quality laboratory service.

Main duties of the job

• Carry out diagnostic histology tests for amyloid.
• Analyse and interpret prepared histological and immunohistochemistry slides, report test results, and using a bespoke data base, formulate the amyloid histology report.
• Discuss cases at weekly multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Contribute to the implementation of UKAS standards, (Quality Management System to comply with the ISO 15189 standards).
• Perform laser capture microdissection and process samples for Mass Spectrometry.

Working for our organisation

The National Amyloidosis Centre (NAC) is funded centrally by NHS England to provide the UK service for the diagnosis and management of the whole national caseload of patients with amyloidosis.

The Jack O'Neil Laboratory (JONAL) is a highly specialised laboratory using dedicated methodology for the diagnosis of amyloidosis and systemic autoinflammatory diseases and is central to the NHS England-funded, national, highly specialised services based at the National Amyloidosis Centre. The JONAL consists of a specialised team covering the following sections: specimen reception, molecular genetics, histopathology and proteomics.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See job description.
• Ensure the provision of a quality analytical service of specialist histological and pathological testing,
• Responsible for the histology diagnostic pathway from booking in of samples to the issuing of reports.
• Use professional judgement to assess and select appropriate tests and allocate testing procedures accordingly.
• Manage and contribute to the day to day workload of the JONAL, including preparing and processing tissue specimens for the diagnosis of amyloid using conventional histological procedures and specialist histological techniques (including immunohistochemistry) on all platforms.
• Use professional judgement to analyse and interpret stained slides and record the results appropriately.
• Report histology cases with consultants and generate amyloid immunohistochemistry reports.
• Use the Leica LMD7000 to perform Laser Capture Microdissection on amyloid samples, and process samples in preparation for proteomic analysis with the Mass Spectrometer.
• Carry out other duties as required by more senior members of staff.
• Responsible for the procurement of all stock/purchases for the histology section by acting as a requisitioner through PECOS.
• To understand financial implications of service delivery.
• Liaise with company representatives to build relationships with the laboratory suppliers.
• Perform Audits and present at the departmental Audit.
• Teach and train members of staff and visiting colleagues.
• Ensure completion and reporting of EQA schemes.

Person specification

Royal Free World Class Values

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values

Education & professional Qualifications

Essential criteria

• BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent and demonstrable experience at Specialist BMS level
• HCPC State Registration
• Master's degree or related professional healthcare qualification or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential criteria

• Significant highly specialised knowledge of routine histology acquired over a significant period post-HCPC registration
• Experience in amyloid pathologies and diagnostic techniques
• Experience in supervising/training other members of staff
• Experience in managing staff
• Experience with laboratory information and quality management systems UKAS compliance
• Experience in developing and implementing new technologies and methodologies
• Experience in undertaking administrative responsibilities
• Experience of following health and safety policies and procedures

• Covid-19 Vaccination

  Getting vaccinated, and getting a booster, remains the best defence against COVID-19.
  We encourage and support staff to get COVID-19 vaccine and a booster dose as and when they are eligible.

• AT* - Apprenticeship Training. Where AT* is entered next to the job title indicates that this vacancy is for an apprenticeship role.
• By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers. Therefore we require you to complete your stat and Man e-learning modules prior to joining our organisation.
• If you are an EU/EEA citizen who does not have EU Settlement or Pre-Settled status, you will require a visa to work in the UK.
• Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• If you are offered a role with one of the NLPSS partner trusts, as part of pre-employment checks your identity and right to work documentation will be verified remotely (in most circumstances), using a certified identity verification service provider TrustID. You will be asked to capture an image of the relevant documents as well as a "selfie" using your smartphone/tablet (if available) for facial matching. TrustID will also perform a digital address check using Trunarrative and Equifax, which is a soft check and does not leave a footprint on your credit rating. For more information, visit www.trustid.co.uk
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• The Trust will request a DBS (CRB) if post involves regulated activities. The Trust is compliant with the Disclosure and Barring Service Codes of practice and the Rehabilitation of offenders act.
• By applying for this post you are agreeing to Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
• Please be aware of scams - unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

Applications are welcome from people wishing to job share or work flexible patterns. We are committed to equal opportunities.

Please note:

• Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification
• Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.
• Interview arrangements will be communicated via email so please check your email regularly following the closing date.

Please be advised that due to exceptionally high demand, all Royal Free accommodation is at full capacity and waiting lists are being held. Average waiting times are 12 months. Please do not rely on Trust accommodation when you commence your role and ensure you investigate alternative accommodation for your arrival.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

• JD and PS doc (PDF, 114.1KB)
• PS Senior Biomedical Scientist - Histology (PDF, 114.1KB)
• Senior BMS Functional requirements (PDF, 120.5KB)
• Allied Health Professional - benefits, about RFL, values and governing objectives (PDF, 939.6KB)