Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Royal Marsden; Sutton; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in Sutton is seeking a Band 6 Specialist Biomedical Scientist for Histopathology on a 14-month fixed-term contract. HCPC registered applicants with IBMS Specialist Portfolio or equivalent experience are invited to apply.

The role focuses on technical duties, section cutting, automated immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridisation, with pathologists supported in delivering accurate diagnostics.

Qualifications

• HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist.
• IBMS Specialist Portfolio completed or equivalent experience.
• Experience in histopathology and technical duties.
• Ability to work to defined protocols and SOPs.

Responsibilities

• Carry out scientific analytical work in Histopathology CMP Sutton.
• Perform section cutting, immunohistochemistry and ISH.
• Maintain equipment and records; ensure QA/QC.
• Assist Pathologists with diagnostic reporting.
• Provide supervision/training as required.

Skills

HCPC registration

Laboratory skills

Data entry

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Biomedical Science

IBMS Specialist Portfolio or equivalent experience

Tools

Ventana immunostainers

Cryostats

Routine stainers

Tissue processors

Job description

Main area Biomedical Science Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Fixed term: 14 months (Until 22nd December 2027) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 282-SA1930

Employer The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site The Royal Marsden - Sutton Town Sutton Salary £45,953 - £54,254 pro rata per annum including outer London HCAS Salary period Yearly Closing 30/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

The Royal Marsden Hospital (NHS Foundation Trust)
Band 6 Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Histopathology

An exciting opportunity has risen for a 1 year fixed term, experienced and enthusiastic band 6 Biomedical Scientist to join the Cellular Pathology department, located at the Sutton site of the Royal Marsden Hospital. Applicants must be HCPC registered and have completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio or have equivalent experience.

The major focus of the role will be in performing essential technical duties for the department, section cutting, assisting with automated immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridisation, maintenance tasks and supporting Pathologists in providing a reliable and accurate diagnostic service. Attention to detail is important and the post holder must be able to work to high standards, following defined protocols and assist in the production of accurate & high quality analytical results for the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

For an informal visit or further information, please contact Natalie Peters, Histopathology laboratory manger 0208 915 6549.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for carrying out scientific analytical work on clinical samples within the Histopathology Department at Centre for Molecular Pathology (CMP) Sutton, providing a diagnostic service both for the Trust’s clinicians and also for those in the national and international community seeking second opinion.

The post holder will rotate through all sections of the Department performing core and advanced procedures as required.

The post holder may when required deputise for a Section Manager in their absence. Duties will include, amongst others, specimen processing and preparation, data entry of requests, equipment maintenance and liaison with other hospital staff.

Working for our organisation

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information please refer to the job description and personal specification

Clinical and Technical Laboratory services

• To ensure knowledge of all instrumentation and equipment is up to date and that the post holder capable of operating such equipment e.g. Ventana automated immunostainers, cryostats, routine stainers, tissue processors
• To ensure the timely and efficient provision of core and technologically complex analytical/diagnostic services.
• To take personal responsibility for the quality of own technical work produced, in line with Quality Management procedures.
• To ensure that work is carried out in line with Standing Operational Procedures and/or Departmental policy.
• Maintain reagent records, both paper and electronic, as part of section stock control system.
• To ensure daily maintenance of equipment is carried out to schedule and is documented.
• To ensure that statutory and Trust requirements for record keeping of results are met by validation or verification of reports as required.
• To ensure that quality control tests are conducted and meet required analytical standards. Where appropriate assist senior staff in implementation of remedial plans, in line with SOPs.
• To ensure that all log books (electronic or paper) relating to calibrators, controls and reagents are maintained.
• To ensure each malfunction or breakdown of equipment is notified to the Laboratory Manager or Deputy Manager.
• To assist in maintenance of adequate stock of all reagents and consumables, through accurate record keeping and reporting to senior staff.
• To be able to work within specific areas of the department and train/ supervise training of new team members as required.
• To be able to work within all areas of the department with no supervision.

Specimen Dissection

• Receipt and checking of samples against request forms and information on LIMS
• liaising with surgeons and outpatient staff regarding labelling errors, identifying and taking appropriate action with high risk specimens and dealing with leaking/damaged samples
• Assisting Pathologists in the diagnostic sampling of fresh and formalin fixed tissue
• Performing biopsy transfer and specimen dissection of category A and B samples
• Ensuring cassettes are appropriately labelled

Section Cutting and Staining

• Use of microtome’s to produce tissue sections from paraffin wax samples (internal and external samples)
• Understanding of specific requirements for tissue sectioning for different tissue types and subsequent diagnostic techniques
• Mounting tissue sections on slides

Specialised diagnostic techniques

• Understanding of data entry requirements for additional diagnostic requests
• Organise and store samples, requests and other materials
• Ability to perform and have in-depth understanding of tinctorial techniques

Skills and Abilities

• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to express themselves clearly
• Good telephone manner, diplomatic
• Ability to write clearly and concisely
• Ability to use in-house IT systems
• Ability to use Microsoft software or equivalent
• Ability to perform complex scientific calculations and data analysis
• Able to deal with all simple day to day problems and trouble shooting
• Awareness of organisational and logistical issues

Personal Qualities

• Evidence of personal development
• Able to work unsupervised
• Commitment to team working
• Enthusiasm for role, job and profession
• Self-confident, contributes to laboratory meetings
• Flexible approach to work

Specific Experience

• Degree in biomedical science
• HCPC registration
• Experience of working in all areas of relevant routine laboratory
• Able to understand/ follow SOPs
• Full understanding of all laboratory H&S procedures
• Able to work to deadlines
• Full understanding of EQA & IQA and their implications
• Evidence of post graduate study
• Able to perform basic training

The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment. Please ensure your information is accurate to avoid errors with processing your application

All applicants will be contacted by email to the address supplied on your application. Applicants are advised to check their email accounts regularly and to ensure that email filters are set to allow our emails.

Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff

At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.

The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.

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