Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Chertsey; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a qualified individual for cervical cytology screening. Responsibilities include ensuring accuracy in screening cervical smears, training staff, and complying with national health standards. The post-holder will manage diagnostic specimens, participate in quality control, and maintain laboratory procedures. This role requires commitment to continual professional development and adherence to safety protocols. Ideal candidates should be dedicated to delivering high-quality cytology assessments.

Responsibilities

• Hold the required qualification for screening cervical smears.
• Comply with NHSCSP accuracy requirements for cervical cytology.
• Screen a minimum of 3,000 cytology slides per annum.
• Assist in training of staff, students, and volunteers.
• Use document control software for training records.
• Perform quality checks on diagnostic material.
• Undertake annual update courses in Cervical Cytology.
• Assess and report on cervical cytology specimens.
• Manage patient histories for sample pathway management.
• Suggest improvements to standard operating procedures.
• Participate in quality control exercises and departmental EQA schemes.
• Adhere to health and safety procedures and laboratory codes.
• Maintain laboratory equipment per policy.
• Authorize HPV negative reports and assist in staff training.

Job description

Responsibilities

• To hold the qualification required to Primary and rapid screen cervical smears and then 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.
• To assist in the supervision and training of permanent staff, work experience students, volunteers and Medical Laboratory Assistants in accordance with departmental protocols.
• To use the ipassport document control software package to record training and competency + access controlled documents.
• Perform stain check to ensure the quality of diagnostic material as per SOP.
• Post qualification the post-holder must undertake an appropriate update course in Cervical Cytology every year 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 screening.
• 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 authorise HPV negative reports Assist the departmental training team with induction and training of new staff