Biomedical Scientist advanced dissection and Biomedical Scientist

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Norwich; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in England is offering a role in their Histopathology Department. This position involves a variety of laboratory tasks including histological techniques and assisting pathologists. The ideal candidate will hold current UK professional registration and have experience in a laboratory setting. This role provides a supportive environment for professional development and encourages teamwork within a modern teaching hospital.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Discounted gym memberships

Excellent pension scheme

Free Park & Ride service

On-site nursery

Qualifications

• Must have current UK professional registration.
• Experience in a busy laboratory setting is essential.
• Strong communication skills to liaise with healthcare professionals.

Responsibilities

• Work as a BMS in all sections of the laboratory.
• Carry out histological techniques including fixation and processing.
• Assist pathologists during specimen dissection.

Skills

Histopathology skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

UK professional registration

Tools

CEREBRO specimen tracking system

Job description

A post is available in the Histopathology Department. This post presents an exciting opportunity to be part of an excellent team working in a busy modern teaching hospital laboratory. The department has a workload of around 90,000 surgical requests per year and covers a wide range of routine and specialised services. This is an excellent opportunity to work within a committed team of office, laboratory and Consultant Pathologist staff. The department encourages active professional development and further educational activities. The service also has Biomedical Scientist advanced dissection and Biomedical Scientist reporting roles. The service uses digital pathology reporting. We also use CEREBRO specimen tracking system, and we are currently replacing most of our specialist laboratory equipment. We will also welcome applications from individuals who have a booked assessment date for their registration portfolio assessment.

Responsibilities

• Work as a BMS in all sections of the laboratory.
• Carry out section cutting, embedding, special staining, Immunohistochemistry and specimen reception/dissection room work.
• Carry out frozen sections and Mohs frozen sections.
• Help with staff training, quality control, and equipment maintenance/troubleshooting.
• Help with lab projects/development.
• Carry out audits.
• Communicate routine clinical technical service‑related information to colleagues, managers, consultants, nurses, other health‑care colleagues and patient carers.
• Participate in departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.
• Answer telephone inquiries from pathology users and patient carers and provide routine information about methodologies and service requirements.
• Manage own work under the supervision of experienced BMS staff, refer to more senior staff for support, and communicate any difficulties, problems, accidents or incidents affecting the department to a section leader/manager promptly.
• Responsible for processing immediate, urgent and non‑urgent work to maintain turnaround times in line with Trust and Service policies.
• Work in the dissecting room, categorise specimens according to clinical details, assign a specimen code and participate in the reception, sorting and processing of samples through the dissection room.
• Ensure correct patient ID on matching request forms and specimens and follow appropriate quality and error‑logging procedures in the event of incidents.
• Carry out histological techniques including fixation and processing of body tissues. This includes recognisable body parts, products of conception containing fetal parts, fetal and post‑mortem tissue, which may cause distress. Perform precision orientation and embedding of tissue, cutting of paraffin wax sections and staining methods.
• Assist pathologists during specimen dissection and clean working areas of tissue, faeces, mucus and blood.
• Carry out the selection and macroscopic description of biopsy samples at cut‑up, as defined by Royal College of Pathologists guidelines and departmental SOPs, including CU P11.

Full responsibilities and requirements for this post are detailed in the accompanying Person Specification.

Visa and Immigration

If you are wishing to apply for this role and would require sponsorship (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer), you can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this post by assessing your circumstances against the criteria specified on the gov.uk website https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job.

Travelling to Work

Staff parking is available onsite; however, this is limited during core working hours. We have more capacity in the evening and at weekends and can usually provide spaces during those hours. Our Travel Office has a set of criteria that staff must meet in order to qualify. If you qualify for a space, you may be placed on a waiting list if we are at full capacity. The NNUH is served by a number of public buses, and we offer generously discounted monthly passes. The Costessey Park and Ride runs regularly each day and is free for NHS staff. There is a regular Thickthorn P&R service which is free. Applications to the Travel Office are required for this service. We also have a discounted service from the airport P&R if you purchase a bundle. Please see Konect website for further details. The NNUH hosts multiple bicycle racks and a salary sacrifice scheme. We also benefit from a Beryl station onsite.

DBS

Applicants will be required to undergo a DBS check. If you are a new employee or registering with the Staff Bank you will need to meet the cost of this unless your salary is less than point 9 of the Afc NHS Service. Should you be appointed to the post we will need to establish any previous NHS service via the ESR IAT.

UK Registration

You will need to have current UK professional registration where this is a requirement of the role.

Application

All communication regarding your application will be by email. We value equality in our team and recruit from all sections of the community. We recognise there is a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and if you meet the minimum criteria detailed in the person specification and have a disability, you may wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme by indicating this in the relevant section on your application. We look forward to receiving your application and will inform you within four weeks if you are not shortlisted.

Flexibility

Alternative working patterns may be considered. If you wish to work in a different working pattern to that stated in our advertisement, please indicate this in the supporting statement to your application.

Benefits

• Flexible working hours
• Fast‑Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
• Multi‑faith prayer room
• Discounted gym memberships
• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• Wagestream – access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
• Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
• Free 24‑hours confidential counselling support
• On‑site nursery
• On‑site cafés offering staff discounts
• Support in career development
• Flexible staff bank
• Salary sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

About NNUH

At NNUH, we provide healthcare to over one million people across Norfolk and surrounding areas. Our vision is to "provide the best care for every patient". We are the busiest Trauma Unit in the East of England, caring for almost 850 trauma patients annually and aspire to become a Major Trauma Centre. We are a teaching and research hospital, partnering with the University of East Anglia and the Quadram Institute. We offer a wide range of NHS benefits and discounts.