Biomedical Scientist Histology

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is inviting applications for a Biomedical Scientist Histology. The role is based in the Cellular Pathology Department and requires HCPC registration, an IBMS accredited Biomedical Science degree, and prior UK histology experience.

The post involves 37.5 hours per week with occasional weekend work and a commitment to high-quality, timely histology services. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team and contribute to routine and

Qualifications

• Approved IBMS accredited degree in Biomedical Science is required.
• Registration with HCPC as Biomedical Scientist is required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in routine work of all sections to provide accurate and timely results.
• Perform routine and specialised tasks across analytical equipment and manual techniques.
• Ensure tasks are performed according to SOPs and regulations to maintain high quality service.
• Maintain and operate equipment per departmental SOPs and manufacturer SOPs.
• Troubleshoot automated equipment to minimise downtime.
• Document specimens and enter computerised records.
• Handle, process and dispose of histological and cytological material securely.
• Assist Advanced Practitioners with dissection and sampling of diagnostic material.
• Macroscopically describe and transfer biopsies and related specimens to cassettes.
• Prepare cell blocks from cytological specimens as needed for histological investigation.
• Embed and orientate tissue samples for diagnostic evaluation.
• Produce microscopical preparations for diagnostic sections using microtomy.
• Prepare stains and reagents for histological, histochemical and immunocytochemical investigations.
• Undertake immunohistochemistry and other immunocytochemical investigations as per SOPs.
• Maintain precise pipetting where accuracy is required.
• Participate in UKNEQAS Quality Assessment activities.
• Implement quality control measures with the Quality Lead and Manager.
• Prepare high quality frozen sections for urgent diagnosis.
• Carry out any other duties to maintain Cellular Pathology Services.

Education

Approved IBMS accredited degree in Biomedical Science

HCPC registration - Biomedical Scientist

Job description

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Biomedical Scientist Histology

The closing date is 17 November 2026

Applications are invited from proactive, motivated, enthusiastic HCPC registered biomedical scientists to join the Cellular Pathology Department, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. The department is UKAS accredited ISO 15189:2022 and is an IBMS approved training laboratory.

The post holders would be working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday (occasional weekend working may be required)

The post holder will be working as part of a combined team of Consultant Pathologists, Biomedical Scientists, Medical Laboratory Assistants and Secretarial and other support staff to provide a cellular pathology service for Worcestershire.

For further information, please contact Susan Lovelock, Deputy Laboratory Manager on 01905 760230 or via email: [e-mail]

Main duties of the job

• To follow agreed protocols and policies seeking advice where appropriate from more senior staff
• To work in an efficient and timely manner and to be adaptable to change
• To work in a safe manner in accordance with departmental and Trust Health and Safety policies
• To contribute to care, maintenance and security of the laboratory premises and equipment
• To demonstrate a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory, colleagues and service users
• To respond to requests for information in a polite, helpful and concise manner
• To maintain confidentiality and conform with the Data Protection Act
• To work to quality standards for all aspects of the service as defined by the Pathology Directorate Quality Management System (QMS
• To be able to work alone in conjunction with SOPs with offsite technical supervision.

About us

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acuteand specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services tothe residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a largerpopulation in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sitesin Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester

Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caringstaff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care.You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work withus. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everydaywork and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Being open and honest

Ensuring people feel cared for

Showing respect to everyone

We are committed to developing a culture of continuousimprovement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - thismeans we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation asa flex positive employer.

DBS Checks and Costs

Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS checkas part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at thecurrent rate) deducted from their salary.

Job responsibilities

• To participate in the routine work of all sections of the department to provide our users with accurate and timely results.
• To perform both routine and specialised tasks covering a variety of analytical equipment and manual techniques.
• To ensure that all tasks are performed in accordance with current Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and regulations to ensure a high quality service at all times.
• To ensure that equipment is properly maintained on a day to day basis and operated in accordance with laboratory and manufacturers SOPs.
• To be fully conversant with all forms of automated equipment within the Department, including being able to troubleshoot to ensure minimum downtime as consequence of minor breakdowns/ malfunctions
• To document specimens, including the entry of computerised records.
• To handle, process and dispose of histological and cytological material including sensitive disposal of products of conception.
• To provide assistance to Advanced Practitioners with regard to specimen dissection and sampling of diagnostic material.
• To macroscopically describe and transfer into cassettes, small biopsies, curettings, needle biopsies etc (Category A Specimens).
• To participate in the preparation of cell blocks from cytological specimens to aid histological investigation if necessary.
• To embed and orientate tissue samples selected for diagnostic evaluation, requiring significant knowledge and experience of histological and anatomical structure.
• To produce microscopical preparations, requiring extensive hand and eye coordination to produce high quality diagnostic sections using complex, skilled microtomy and handling techniques, for both paraffin wax and urgent diagnostic frozen sections.
• To prepare complex stains, working solutions and reagents in order to perform routine and specialised histological, histochemical and immunocytochemical investigations.
• To undertake routine and specialised histological, histochemical,and Immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescent investigations on diagnostic tissue specimens in accordance with Standard Operational Procedures.
• To have precise pipetting skills where accuracy and precision are required.
• To undertake investigations arising from UKNEQAS Quality Assessment participation, including Cellular Pathology Technique and Immunocytochemistry.
• To implement quality control measures and checking in conjunction with the BMS Quality Lead and Quality Manager.
• To cut high quality frozen sections for urgent diagnosis.
• To be able to work alone in conjunction with SOPs with offsite technical supervision.
• To undertake quality control sign out of samples including routine and specials stains.
• To carry out any other duties deemed necessary to maintain a Cellular Pathology Services.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Approved IBMS accredited degree in Biomedical Science
• Registration with HCPC - Biomedical Scientist

Experience

• At least 2 years experience in a UKAS accredited NHS hospital histology laboratory.
• Experience in working with laboratory computers
• Experience in embedding techniques
• Experience in manual and automated immunohistochemistry techniques

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.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust