Band 7 Histology - Section Lead Biomedical Scientist

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Job overview

We are looking to recruit into a band 7 Section Lead Biomedical Scientist- Quality Supervisor position in the Histology department at Queen's Hospital - Romford. The department receives 41,000 requests per annum amounting to 75,000 plus specimens from a full range of care group specialties. For this post you must be HCPC registered, possess a Specialist Diploma in Cellular Pathology (or have 8 years' experience in a routine histology laboratory) an MSc or FIBMS with extensive demonstrable experience across the full range of histology investigations as a necessity. As this position has extensive responsibility for quality and governance you must be fully conversant in quality and risk management and continual improvement. You should be friendly, professional, self-motivating, innovative and be able to demonstrate excellent communication (verbal and written), organisation and manual dexterity skills. You need to demonstrate a patient focused approach to work and detail how you are committed to continual improvement of self, the service, and your team. You can expect to work 37.5 (WTE) hours including weekends. This is not a training post. Please note interviews will be in person only.
This post is based at Queens Hospital, but all staff must be prepared to work at King George Hospital if required.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be the responsible person for the day-to-day running of the Histology Specimen Reception which includes macroscopic examination and dissection. They will be the main point of contact for specimen reception related issues and between the Speciality Doctors that work in dissection. Delegated duties will include supervision of trainees, training of all staff in the section, quality and health and safety.
The purpose of the role is to support the diagnostic service provided by the department to the trust.

Working for our organisation

We're an organisation that is getting better and better. We were the most improved Trust in England for A&E performance in 2023/24; we're no longer in special measures; and Matthew Trainer, our Chief Executive, has been named the top CEO by the Health Service Journal. Our improvements are driven by a determination to deliver care we're proud of and that our patients are happy with.

Many of our 8,000 staff - who come from 146 different countries - live in the three diverse London boroughs we serve and the majority are from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. More than 400 of them are on apprenticeship programmes and we're proud to be a London Living Wage employer.

We operate from two main sites - King George Hospital (KGH) in Goodmayes and Queen's Hospital in Romford. We have two of the busiest emergency departments in London - more than 300,000 people visited our A&Es in 2023.

Patients across north east London are benefitting from two new state of the art theatres at KGH and our Community Diagnostic Centres at Barking Community Hospital and St George's Health and Wellbeing Hub will significantly increase the number of scans that can be carried out.

We're looking forward to introducing an electronic patient record next year. This will mean the records of any patient visiting one of the seven hospitals run by BHRUT and Barts Health will be accessible to the clinical teams. It'll make things easier for staff and will be better for patients.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

The person specification listed below is not the full specification requirements for the role. Please ensure you review the full specification on the job description prior to submitting your application.

Applicants are advised to read all the information on the advert and the supporting information before completing and submitting an application. As you complete your application please ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the person specification for this post by adequately completing the supporting information section of the application form.

All new staff appointed at the Trust are subject to a probationary period.

Applications should be made online, however, queries regarding the application process or assistance with completion of the form (for applicants with a disability) can be made to Amanda Vickers, Recruitment Advisor, on 01708 435000 ext. 5926. Further details regarding the post may be obtained by contacting the manager as per the contact details above.

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Specialist Diploma in Cellular pathology or equivalence (8 years working as a HCPC registered BMS in histology (not multi-discipline).

Experience/Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Evidence and knowledge of in-depth Histological practice and theory.
• Experience and awareness of quality management systems and supporting software.

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of supporting training.
• Knowledge of pathology LIMS and software applications. (QPulse/ Pathmanager / Digital dictation applications).

Skills/Abilities

Desirable criteria

• Incident management.

Ensuring people settle in and feel part of our Trust straight away is one of our top priorities. We hold two corporate welcome events each month and, if successful, you will start on one of these days so we can provide you with a seamless and welcoming introduction to our Trust.

We believe that providing the highest quality of care, is about having the best people, inspired and supported by the best leaders, and backed by the best training and career development opportunities. Our vision is to provide outstanding healthcare to our community, delivered with pride. It is driven by our PRIDE values and behaviours which were developed together with our staff.

Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust is committed to Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults is central to the care provided by our Trust and the post holder must be aware of their responsibilities and work in line with our Trust's Safeguarding Adult and Children Procedures.

All salaries are inclusive of standard allowances e.g. High Cost Area for staff on Agenda for Change contracts.

To create an inclusive and diverse workplace, we will work with you to get the best experience, so that you can provide outstanding care for our local community. We are happy to have an open discussion on part-time hours and flexible working and will consider your requirements if our service is able to accommodate. Please have discussion with the recruiting manager about your flexibility requirements.

All correspondence regarding this application will be by e-mail, please check as some emails may fall into your junk folder.

Please ensure that the references are from your most recent employer and one of these must be your direct Line Manager or Supervisor. Additionally, ensure that any gaps in your employment history are clearly indicated. Please ensure business/organisation email addresses are provided for all referees.

Barking, Havering, and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) uses TrustID identification technology to verify essential documents, such as passports and driving licenses. All new employees will be expected to have their original documents verified through TrustID.

In line with UKVI guidelines BHRUT is unable to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship for Band 2 or Band 3 positions.

We may close vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received and to support with streamlining the recruitment process.

Unfortunately due to the large number of applications that the Trust receives for some posts, it is not possible to reply to every unsuccessful application.

If you have not received a response within 3 weeks of the closing date of an advert, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

Trust buildings and grounds became fully Smoke Free on National No Smoking Day 11th March 2015. The Trust expects all staff to promote healthy living and to set good examples in their own behaviour. Those not ready to quit smoking must remain smoke free during working hours, and will not be able to smoke in Trust uniform, in Trust grounds including car parks, while driving on Trust business or take smoking breaks. Second hand smoke causes heart and lung disease, and is harmful to young children. However, disposable or rechargeable e-cigarettes ("vaping") may be used outside hospital buildings.

We are an equal opportunity employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community and welcomes applications from people wishing to job-share, either with or without a partner. Applicants who consider themselves to have a disability (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) will be shortlisted for interview if they meet the essential criteria. We also operate strict screening procedures for posts with access to vulnerable adults and children.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Documents to download

• Job Description & Person Specification (PDF, 928.2KB)
• Policy Statement - Ex Offenders (PDF, 104.6KB)
• Our Annual Goals (PDF, 1.2MB)
• Candidate Journey (PDF, 186.7KB)