Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Advanced Diagnostics

Barts Health NHS Trust; London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS healthcare provider in London is seeking passionate individuals to join their expanding Cellular Pathology team. The ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications and a strong focus on diagnostic science, enhancing healthcare services. Opportunities involve working in a collaborative environment, maintaining high laboratory standards, and contributing to clinical trials. This role offers competitive compensation and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Supportive work environment

Opportunities for training and development

Commitment to inclusion and diversity

Qualifications

• HCPC Registration required.
• Experience in a Cellular Pathology laboratory essential.
• Understanding of laboratory processes and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high standards of laboratory practice.
• Use LIMS for data management.
• Support clinical trials and ensure accuracy under deadlines.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Technical proficiency in IHC/ISH techniques

Education

IBMS Accredited BSc in Biomedical Science

IBMS Specialist Diploma in Cellular Pathology

Tools

Microsoft Word

WinPath LIMS

Job description

Overview

Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country and a leading healthcare provider. The group is on an improvement journey to become an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. We aim to be a high-performing group renowned for excellence and innovation, providing safe and compassionate care to patients in east London and beyond. We strive to be an outstanding place to work, with our WeCare values guiding how we work together. Barts Health supports the Pregnancy Loss Pledge and commits to supporting staff through distress of miscarriage.

Job overview

Join the East and SouthEast Pathology Partnership - Exciting Career Opportunities in Cellular Pathology. The East and SouthEast Pathology Partnership (ESP) is investing in its Cellular Pathology department to expand and enhance services. We are recruiting for multiple roles across this area. If you are passionate about advancing healthcare through diagnostic science and eager to work in a collaborative, innovative environment, ESP offers a fantastic career opportunity.

The Advanced Diagnostics laboratory includes Immunohistochemistry (IHC), in-situ hybridisation (ISH), direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and neuromuscular techniques. This is an opportunity to join our expanding team and contribute to the Cellular Pathology Genomics Centre and Cancer Vaccine Launchpad work.

Main duties of the job

The role involves working within a histology laboratory, contributing to diagnostic and research activities with a focus on IHC, immunofluorescence and neuromuscular techniques. You will maintain high standards of laboratory practice, use LIMS (e.g., WinPath) for data management, and support clinical trials such as CVLP. Key duties include IHC techniques, following SOPs, and ensuring accuracy under deadlines. The role requires good organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure. The ideal candidate will be adaptable, motivated, and skilled in laboratory techniques with openness to new technologies in pathology.

Working for our organisation

The NHS East and South East London Pathology Partnership is an arms-length organisation providing pathology services to Barts Health NHS Trust, Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The Pathology Partnership is hosted by Barts Health. The Partnership was formed in May 2021 and has progressed a complex transformation programme to establish a single network of laboratories with a unified LIMS and QMS. The main hub is at the Royal London Hospital with Essential Service Laboratories (ESL) at six other sites. The Partnership has three divisions: Blood Sciences, Microbiology and Virology, and Cellular Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics. We strive to live by our WeCare values and promote an inclusive working environment. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates as they are underrepresented within the Pathology Partnership and Barts Health at this band.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachments below. Please note: When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS is not included for non-medical roles to ensure fairness within our organisation.

Person specification

Qualifications

• HCPC Registration.
• IBMS Accredited BSc in Biomedical Science (or equivalent).
• IBMS Specialist Diploma in Cellular Pathology (or equivalent).

Desirable criteria

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant area of biomedical science (e.g., MSc or equivalent).
• Additional certifications (e.g., Immunohistochemistry, molecular biology, or other relevant fields).
• Training in supervisory or leadership skills.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience working in a Cellular Pathology laboratory with understanding of laboratory processes and procedures.
• Substantive post-registration experience in a Cellular Pathology setting with competency in diagnostic techniques and laboratory practices.
• Experience in an Immunohistochemistry (IHC) laboratory, including IHC/ISH techniques and relevant platforms.
• Experience of working in an NHS environment under UKAS: ISO 15189 standards.
• Experience of working to deadlines.

Desirable criteria

• Experience with microscopic quality control of antibodies/probes.
• Familiarity with technical Immunofluorescence (IMF) techniques in diagnostic workflows.
• Experience handling muscle samples (freezing and orientation).
• Experience of enzyme histochemistry.
• Experience with Ventana Benchmark Ultra/Ultra Plus, Leica Bond III, Agilent/Dako Autostainer Link 48 and OMNIS.
• Experience of validation and verification of Histology tests.

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Good knowledge of Histopathology/IMF/Neuromuscular and IHC theory and practice.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to build working relationships within and outside the Trust.
• Working knowledge of data security and confidentiality.
• IT literate including Word, data analysis and WinPath LIMS.
• Knowledge of quality assurance and Quality Management System.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of troubleshooting enzyme histochemistry.

Skills

Essential criteria

• Extensive computer skills including Microsoft Word, data analysis tools and LIMS.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in laboratory procedures and documentation.
• Excellent communication skills to liaise with colleagues, clinicians and other healthcare professionals.
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining quality and efficiency.
• Technical proficiency in IHC/ISH techniques, including preparation, staining and QC.
• Effective problem-solving and troubleshooting of IHC and equipment issues.
• Organisational skills to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Supervisory skills to assist with training junior staff and ensuring safety standards.

Desirable criteria

• Advanced IHC technique skills and ability to perform complex staining and analyses.
• Leadership skills with experience mentoring or supervising junior staff.

Personal and people development

• Good organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to produce high quality work, be open to new technology, reliable, self-motivated and adaptable.
• Methodical, precise, numerate with the ability to handle repetitive work and learn techniques quickly.
• Think clearly under stress and respond appropriately while staying calm.

Communications

• Good verbal communication skills and ability to work as part of a team or independently as required.

Specific requirements

• Able to perform required duties with necessary aids or adaptations.
• Comfortable handling human body fluids, tissue, organs and infected materials in line with Health & Safety and Infection Control policies.
• Willingness to undergo necessary vaccinations as part of role-specific health and safety protocols.

Desirable criteria

• Previous NHS experience.
• A commitment to contributing to NHS patient care.
• Awareness of scientific developments in pathology and how they may influence the field.

We strive to live by our WeCare values and promote inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value differences and advocate an inclusive working environment. We aim to create an equitable environment where everyone can fulfil their potential.

As an Equal Opportunities Employer we actively support applications under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme and will process applications accordingly. We reserve the right to expire vacancies before the advertised closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.

After applying via NHS Jobs, your submission will be imported into our preferred recruitment system. By applying, you consent to transferring information to our applicant management system and, if offered a job, to the NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Barts Health is committed to safeguarding and child protection. A Disclosure and Barring Check may be required for roles with access to children or vulnerable adults.

Barts Health promotes active travel toward Net Zero. Sites are accessible by public transport; a cycle to work scheme and Brompton Hire Pods are available at some sites.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and a Disclosure to the DBS may be required.

Documents to download

• JD & PS (PDF, 793.9KB)
• Our Values and Behaviours (PDF, 334.9KB)
• Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders (PDF, 92.0KB)
• Candidate Information Pack (PDF, 549.5KB)