Senior Biomedical Scientist - Cytopathology

ROYAL CORNWALL HOSPITALS TRUST; Truro; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust seeks an experienced Senior Biomedical Scientist to lead the Diagnostic Cytopathology section. You will supervise the team, deliver ROSE and telecytology services, and work with clinical teams to ensure timely diagnoses.

With strong leadership and clinical judgement, you will manage day-to-day operations, mentor staff, and coordinate specimen processing across sites while maintaining high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Experience in diagnostic cytology leading teams and services.
• Competence in ROSE and telecytology for complex sites.
• Ability to supervise, train and plan workforce in a busy lab.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Diagnostic Cytopathology service with expert scientific judgement.
• Provide ROSE and telecytology across sites, directing material for testing.
• Supervise biomedical scientists, trainees and support staff, including competency assessments.
• Escalate unexpected findings, risks or delays promptly and clearly.
• Collaborate with consultants, histopathologists and management, deputising when required.

Skills

Cytopathology expertise

ROSE

Leadership

Telecytology

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, motivated and forward-thinking Senior Biomedical Scientist to lead our Diagnostic Cytopathology section at the Royal Cornwall Hospital. Working closely with the Consultant Biomedical Scientist and wider Cellular Pathology team, you will provide expert scientific and operational leadership for a high-quality, patient-focused service. The role includes day-to-day supervision of the section, specialist assessment and processing of diagnostic cytology specimens, and delivery of Rapid On-Site Evaluation (ROSE) and telecytology services across complex anatomical sites. You will apply advanced professional judgement to specimen adequacy and triage, support appropriate ancillary testing, and communicate effectively with clinical teams to enable timely diagnosis and treatment.

Main duties of the job

• Provide expert ROSE and telecytology, including EBUS, EUS and head and neck procedures; assess adequacy, advise clinicians and direct material for ancillary testing.
• Lead the day-to-day Diagnostic Cytopathology service, applying advanced scientific judgement to specimen assessment, preparation and processing.
• Supervise, train and support biomedical scientists, trainees and laboratory support staff, including competency assessment, appraisals, rotas and workforce planning.
• Ensure accurate, timely results and **escalate** unexpected findings, risks or delays appropriately.
• Work collaboratively with the Consultant Biomedical Scientist, histopathologists, clinical teams and Cellular Pathology management, deputising for senior colleagues when required.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is at the heart of acute and specialist care for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We care for a population of around 470,000 people, a number that increases during visitor seasons. We employ around 6,700 staff, united by a shared commitment to deliver safe, high-quality care. We provide services across three main hospital sites, with around 780 inpatient beds:

Hospital sites

• Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro
• St Michael's Hospital in Hayle
• West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance

As a teaching hospital, we're proud to work in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, the University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School, supporting the next generation of health professionals. We're committed to staying at the forefront of medical advance; investing in our people, developing our facilities, and expanding the specialist care we can offer locally so more patients can receive the care they need closer to home. We have a growing reputation for research and innovation that helps shape better care for the future. The Knowledge Spa, located on our Truro site, is a vibrant hub for medical, nursing and professional education across clinical and non-clinical roles. It plays a vital role in attracting, developing and retaining highly skilled teams.

We are driven by one clear ambition, Outstanding Care for One and All, care that's safe, kind and high-quality. We are RCHT.