Biomedical Scientist/Training Officer

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Chertsey; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider seeks a qualified Cytology Screener to ensure accurate cervical screening compliance with national standards. This role involves extensive quality control, training responsibilities, and adherence to laboratory protocols within a dynamic cytology department, offering opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Must hold qualification for screening cervical smears.
• Attend an update course every three years.
• Experience in lab protocols and safety.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for screening a minimum of 3,000 cytology slides annually.
• Assist in training students and staff for IBMS registration.
• Participate in internal quality control exercises.

Skills

Cytology screening

Attention to detail

Quality control

Education

Qualification in Biomedical Science

IBMS registration

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

To hold the qualification required to Primary and rapid screen cervical smears and comply with NHSCSP accuracy requirements for all staff screening cervical cytology i.e. 90% sensitivity for all grades of abnormals and 95% for high grades. To comply with NHSCSP requirements for all staff screening cervical cytology. Individual screeners (including checkers who perform cytology screening) are currently required to screen a minimum of 3,000 cytology slides per annum.

The post-holder must undertake an appropriate update course in Cervical Cytology every three years and attend any training or CPD activities appropriate to this post. The post holder will be responsible for the assessment and reporting of negative and technically unsuitable cervical cytology specimens + the identification of potential abnormalities within cervical cytology specimens for subsequent interpretation by a designated checker. To identify and retrieve appropriate histories on patients to enable appropriate pathway management of the samples in line with the appropriate NHSCSP Screening protocol algorithm for HPV triage and TOC. To follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and to be proactive in the development of these by suggesting improvements, and piloting revisions.

To participate in departmental EQA schemes, internal quality control exercises (including the mandatory NHSCSP Screening EQA scheme) and to review slides from relevant cases for teaching IQC and clinical governance. To comply with the BSPS health and safety procedures and laboratory codes of practise at all times and adhere to Trust and departmental policies and procedures. To use and maintain laboratory equipment within the department according to Trust and departmental policy. To assist in the supervision of work experience students, volunteers and Medical Laboratory Assistants in accordance with departmental protocols.

To work with university tutors and other education professionals as a workplace representative and assessor to support staff studying part time for biomedical science/apprenticeship degrees. To deliver specialist training for students and permanent staff aiming to complete the IBMS registration and specialist portfolios. To act as internal accessor for NHSCP trainee cytoscreeners. To represent the Cytology department at BSPS network training group meetings.