Job overview

The Department of Histopathology is looking to appoint an registered Biomedical Scientist, who can demonstrate recent experience in a wide range of techniques and histology specialties. We invite applications from enthusiastic and eager candidates to integrate into an expanding and evolving laboratory.

We will consider candidates looking for a trainee position salary and banding will be based on experience.

The successful candidate should have experience of most aspects of the Histopathology Laboratory but training will be provided where necessary. Staffing within the department is managed between the hours of 08:30 and 17:00, with a rota for early embedding duties from 7.30am. Candidates should be willing to work full time hours within these.

The department handles approximately 16 000 requests per year and is well equipped with Epredia tissue processors and Ventana Benchmark Ultra immunostainer. The range of procedures performed includes routine surgical cut up, immunohistochemistry, skin immunofluorescence, frozen section and joint fluid analysis .  We have two digital pathology scanners and are progressing to and end to end digital solution.  All work is tracked using Roches Vantage tracking system and the department benefits from Navify analytics. A non- gynae cytology service is also provided.

For further information and informal discussion please contact:

Andrea Johnson Cellular Pathology manager on telephone number: 01432 364022

Main duties of the job

All preparative techniques including tissue embedding, processing and microtomy

Participates in the digital pathology service, scanning of images and organisation of cases.

Performs a defined range of specialized diagnostic staining techniques. These procedures require extended discipline specific knowledge.

Performs dissection of a limited range of Histological specimens (Category A and B) and is familiar with the dissection room processes

Participates in the immunohistochemistry service, including cutting, staining and microscopical analysis of biopsy specimens.

Performs  the preparative processes leading to rapid tissue diagnosis (frozen section).

Performs joint fluid and skin immunoflouresence techniques and reports on the findings using developed interpretive and judgmental skills. This is a specialized technique requiring extended knowledge and developed skills.

Internal quality assessment of the departmental workload, at the microscope. These process can only be performed by skilled and suitably trained Biomedical Scientists and requires concentration and a keen eye for detail. This is the final quality and patient security check prior to releasing diagnostic preparations for reporting and requires the post holder to concentrate for extended periods of time.

Working for our organisation

Wye Valley NHS Trust is a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire NHS FT , the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

Located on the border with Wales in the shadow of the Black Mountains, we provide acute and community services across Herefordshire and into parts of Powys and run Hereford County Hospital and the community hospitals in Bromyard, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.

We are a progressive and forward looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care we’d want for our family and friends.

More than 3,500 people work for the Trust – they tell us it’s a great place to work, blending the busyness of a DGH with the benefits of working in a beautiful rural and unspoilt county like Herefordshire.

We can offer a great work-life balance and have a fine tradition of working with staff to help them achieve their full potential.

Russell Hardy, Trust Chairman: “The strength of the Trust is its amazing staff; a great place to work, a great place to develop your career and a great place to reach your potential.”

Our values - Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence - are at the heart of all we do. We believe in providing the right care in the right place at the right time…all the time.