Expert Practitioner - Cytology | Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust in the United Kingdom is seeking an Expert Practitioner Scientist/Laboratory Manager in Cytopathology Reporting (Non-Gynaecology). You will lead the Cytopathology laboratory team, manage non-gynaecological cytology services, and ensure the highest scientific standards. Ideal candidates should have considerable experience in cytopathology, hold the necessary diplomas and registrations. This role offers an opportunity to play a pivotal part in a busy laboratory setting, training junior staff and maintaining quality accreditation.

Qualifications

• Healthcare Scientists holding a Diploma of Expert Practice with considerable experience in non-gynaecological cytopathology.
• Candidates seeking to complete the IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma in non-gynaecological cytopathology qualification will be highly considered.
• Must hold and maintain professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientist.
• Must hold an IBMS Expert Practitioner Diploma in non-gynaecological cytopathology reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Cytopathology laboratory team and service development.
• Manage the non-gynaecological cytology services.
• Ensure correct decisions are made by technical staff on specimen processing.
• Train junior medical and scientific staff.
• Maintain ISO15189:2022 medical laboratory accreditation.

Skills

Interpretation of benign cytopathology specimens

Management of non-gynaecological cytology services

Training junior staff

Quality assurance and control

Education

Diploma of Expert Practice in non-gynaecological cytopathology

IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma in non-gynaecological cytopathology

Professional registration with HCPC as Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientist

IBMS Expert Practitioner Diploma in non-gynaecological cytopathology reporting

Job description

Overview

Liverpool Clinical Laboratories wish to appoint a substantive full time Expert Practitioner Scientist/Laboratory Manager in Cytopathology Reporting (Non-Gynaecology).

The cytopathology service is the largest in the region providing specialist services to the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group. This includes patient facing H N rapid diagnosis clinics, several adequacy clinics across HPB and thyroid, and the service is currently working on a Lung ROSE clinic proposal across multiple sites. The team supports multiple Specialist MDTs, second opinion and referral cases and research and clinical trials.

The service receives 5,000 cases per year across the full breadth of non-gynaecology cytopathology.

Further information and informal departmental visits can be obtained by contacting:

• Dr Vijay Sharma, Clinical Director, Cellular Pathology [e-mail]
• Mr James Wingfield, Directorate Manager, Cellular Pathology [e-mail]

Role Summary

The post holder will lead the Cytopathology laboratory team, take the lead role in service development together with the Directorate Manager and Cytopathology clinical team, and be actively involved in benign cytology sample reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Independent interpretation and reporting of benign cytopathology specimens.
• Management of the non-gynaecological cytology services.
• In consultation with the clinical lead for non-gynaecological cytology and with extensive use of personal judgement based on advanced experience and knowledge, ensure that correct decisions are made by all technical staff on all aspects of specimen processing.
• Ensure the highest scientific standards are maintained and contribute to quality enhancements.
• Training of junior medical and scientific staff.

Qualifications and Experience

• Healthcare Scientists holding a Diploma of Expert Practice with considerable experience in non-gynaecological cytopathology.
• Candidates seeking to complete the IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma in non-gynaecological cytopathology qualification will be highly considered.
• Must hold and maintain professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientist.
• Must hold an IBMS Expert Practitioner Diploma in non-gynaecological cytopathology reporting.

Additional Responsibilities

• Independent reporting of benign patient specimens as detailed in the IBMS and Royal College of Pathologists Competency Based Framework for Scientist Reporting.
• Undertake a wide range of complex scientific procedures that contribute to the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diseases and the investigation of other pathological processes.
• Communicate using complex scientific and medical terminology to clinical colleagues including consultants, radiologists and MDT coordinators ensuring full comprehension and appropriate action.
• Play a lead role in the education, training and development of laboratory staff in the macroscopic description, preparation and sampling of specimens.
• Supervise and train Biomedical Scientists and other laboratory technical support staff while working within the laboratory environment.
• Lead the coordination and management of research and development for cytopathology and other stakeholders where required.
• Maintain ISO15189:2022 medical laboratory accreditation through ensuring adequate quality assurance and control procedures are in place and adhered to across the service.

Addendum

Please review the attached Job Description and Person Specification for a more comprehensive overview of the roles and responsibilities for this post.

This advert closes on Tuesday 16 Dec 2025.