Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Job description

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
• Accurate data input
• Organise and store samples, requests and other materials
• Ability to perform and have in-depth understanding of tinctorial techniques

Person specification

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• 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
• Educational qualification in mathematics
• Ability to perform complex scientific calculations and data analysis
• Good judgment, analytical, perceptive, eye for detail
• Able to deal with all simple day to day problems and trouble shooting

Desirable criteria

• Awareness of organisational and logistical issues

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Evidence of personal development
• Able to work unsupervised
• Commitment to team working

Desirable criteria

• Enthusiasm for role, job and profession
• Self-confident, contributes to laboratory meetings
• Flexible approach to work

Specific Experience

Essential criteria

• 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

Desirable criteria

• Completed specialist portfolio or extensive post registration experience
• 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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