Specialist Biomedical Scientists

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a highly motivated Biomedical Scientist to join the Cellular Pathology team. The role involves specimen receipt, tissue processing, embedding, microtomy, staining, immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques, with supervision by senior staff as required.

Applicants should have a BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent, HCPC registration, and IBMS Specialist Portfolio or equivalent knowledge.

Qualifications

• BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent qualification.
• IBMS Specialist Diploma (postgraduate) in Cellular Pathology or equivalent level of knowledge.
• Current HCPC registration.
• Broad knowledge of Cellular Pathology and specialist knowledge including Laboratory Techniques.

Responsibilities

• Receive and register specimens in the laboratory information system.
• Assist in specimen dissection and preparation of samples for processing.
• Record information on the Laboratory Information System and manage specimen storage and disposal.
• Carry out tissue processing, embedding, microtomy, staining and immunohistochemistry as appropriate.
• Validate results and exercise judgement on additional investigations or procedures.

Education

BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent qualification

IBMS Specialist Diploma (postgraduate) in Cellular Pathology or equivalent level of knowledge

HCPC registration

Knowledge of Cellular Pathology

Job description

The laboratory is divided into several specialist sections including Specimen Reception, Slide Production, Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Muscle & Nerve, Electron Microscopy, Neuropathology, Cytology, Mohs and our research facility, NovoPath. We also work closely with Genomics services, supporting the increasing complexity of integrated pathology and molecular diagnostics in our role as the regional Cellular Pathology Genomics Centre (CPGC). The department has established Advanced Practitioner dissection and Consultant Biomedical Scientist reporting roles, reflecting our commitment to developing advanced practice, driving innovation and delivering excellence in patient care. The laboratory operates Monday to Friday between 7.00am and 6.00pm, and flexibility is encouraged to support both staff and departmental requirements. As a major Transplant Centre, the department also provides an out-of-hours on-call service, participation in which is voluntary. This is an excellent opportunity to join a progressive and forward-thinking department delivering high-quality diagnostic services and contributing to the future development of pathology services across the region.,

• Interview Date: 16th October 2026
• 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week, including participation in Saturday rota (approximately one week in 6)
• To contribute to the provision of an effective Cellular Pathology service for The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners, other Trusts and other users of the service.
• The post holder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team within Cellular Pathology, undertaking a wide range of diagnostic laboratory procedures with an appropriate degree of autonomy and under the guidance of Advanced Biomedical Scientists and Advanced Practitioners where required.
• Duties will include the receipt and registration of specimens, assisting in specimen dissection, preparation of samples for processing, recording information on the laboratory information system, storage of specimens and disposal of residual tissue in accordance with departmental procedures.
• The post holder will undertake a range of technical and scientific procedures including cryotomy for intraoperative consultations (frozen sections), tissue processing, embedding, microtomy, routine and specialised staining techniques, immunohistochemistry, and molecular diagnostic techniques appropriate to their area of work and competence. The post holder will validate results and use judgement in determining when further investigations or procedures may be required.
• The post holder will actively participate in the maintenance and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment, reporting faults, incidents and non-compliances to senior staff as appropriate. They will contribute to quality management activities including quality control, quality assurance, audit and continuous improvement initiatives.
• All staff are required to work in compliance with departmental and Trust Health and Safety policies, including COSHH, risk assessments and standard operating procedures, to ensure a safe working environment for patients, visitors and colleagues.
• Specialist Biomedical Scientists will be expected to provide specialist scientific and technical expertise within Cellular Pathology, supporting the day-to‑day operational delivery of the service. They will contribute to the supervision, organisation and training of Biomedical Scientists, Healthcare Science Associate Practitioners, Healthcare Science Assistants and staff undertaking registration portfolios and competency assessments.
• Specialist Biomedical Scientist will undertake more advanced technical duties, including the microscopic interpretation of tissue and/or fluid samples and the selection and dissection of tissue for diagnosis, where trained and competent to do so. They will contribute to service development, validation and implementation of new techniques, quality initiatives and improvement projects.
• Specialist Biomedical Scientists will also deputise for Advanced Biomedical Scientists as required, providing leadership, technical guidance and operational support to ensure continuity of service delivery.

Whilst Newcastle Hospitals are a forward thinking and highly innovative organisation, the use of Third-Party Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a risk to the integrity of our Recruitment & Selection processes. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual application or to the recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
We are seeking a dynamic individual to support our expanding department. Applicants must be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience within Cellular Pathology, alongside the ability to contribute to staff training, quality assurance and service development. Knowledge and experience of Immunohistochemistry (IHC) would be advantageous. Applicants who hold the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Cellular Pathology will be appointed as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6). Applicants who are HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists but do not hold the IBMS Specialist Portfolio will be appointed as a Registered Biomedical Scientist (Band 5). The department provides Histopathology, Cytopathology and Mortuary services housed within a purpose-built facility in a prime city-centre location. We receive a broad range of specimens from within the Trust, General Practitioners and other healthcare providers and, as a specialist referral centre, handle cases regionally, nationally and from overseas. This provides an excellent opportunity to gain experience across a wide range of specimen types and specialised investigations.

Job Purpose

• BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent qualification
• IBMS Specialist Diploma (postgraduate) in Cellular Pathology or equivalent level of knowledge
• Current Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration, Previous experience in a Cellular Pathology laboratory
• Broad knowledge of Cellular Pathology and specialist knowledge of Cellular Pathology including Laboratory Techniques, Able to organise and prioritise own work activities
• Communication skills
• Analytical and judgemental skills
• Planning and organisational skills, BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent qualification approved by the IBMS
• Health and Care Professions Council registration (HCPC)
• Knowledge of Cellular Pathology
• Previous laboratory experience as a Trainee Biomedical Scientist/Healthcare Scientist in an NHS Laboratory
• Familiarity with Health & Safety and COSHH
• Participates in CPD
• Keyboard skills
• Able to organise and prioritise own work activities
• Communication
• Planning and organisational skills
• Analytical and judgemental skills, Member of the IBMS
• Computer literacy
  
• As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
• With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:
• Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
• Freeman Hospital
• Newcastle Dental Hospital
• Cramlington Manor Walks
• Urgent treatment centres
• Newcastle Fertility Centre
• Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
• Northern Genetics Service

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS. We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.