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Job summary

Main area
Histology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
382-CS38-35
Employer
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Town
Blackpool
Salary
£38,682 - £46,580 Dependant on experience
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
13/11/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialist Biomedical Scientist

NHS AfC: Band 6

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the west coast of Lancashire, with services covering the local authority areas of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The Trust is part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) supporting a population of around 1.6 million people.

We have three main hospitals providing acute services to around 330,000 local residents. The organisation also provides specialist tertiary care for cardiac and haematology services, delivers community health services to over 445,000 residents including those in North Lancashire and hosts the National Artificial Eye Service across England. Plus, we provide urgent and emergency care services to an estimated 18 million people who visit the seaside resort each year. We employ over 7000 people from 68 different countries.

We welcome and encourage application from anyone with protected characteristics, as well as supporting reservists and Veterans who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career within the NHS.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals encourages flexible working in all our roles to support staff in maintaining healthy home-life balance.  Working patterns such as: part time working, self-rostering, compressed hours, annualised hours, term time, reverse term time and flexitime working can be explored. 

 


Job overview

The Histology Department is looking for a suitably experienced and qualified Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join the friendly, well established team in Blackpool. 

We are a UKAS accredited laboratory with a brand new laboratory in 2023. 

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work in the context of the Objectives of the Pathology Directorate and the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist in the Department of Cellular Pathology.

The post holder will carry out all tests and background tasks following established Standard Operating Procedures, within one of the following sections of the Cellular Pathology Department:

 

Ø  Operational histopathology, tissue sectioning & staining.

Ø  Specimen reception, dissection and processing.

Ø  Immunocytochemistry and tinctorial staining

Rotation between all above sections takes place, but flexibility may be required, depending on service needs.

Additional duties will be undertaken as directed by the Head of Department in consultation with the post holder.

Working for our organisation

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a forty five minute drive from Manchester. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac and Haematology patients.

As one of the United Kingdom's largest coastal resort, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents -it's not just a good place to work; it's a great place to live. In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers a number of scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the south.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY:

The post holder will work in the context of the Objectives of the Pathology Directorate and the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as a Biomedical Scientist in the Department of Cellular Pathology.

The post holder will carry out all tests and background tasks following established Standard Operating Procedures, within one of the following sections of the Cellular Pathology Department:

 

Ø  Operational histopathology, tissue sectioning & staining.

Ø  Specimen reception, dissection and processing.

Ø  Immunocytochemistry and tinctorial staining

 

Rotation between all above sections takes place, but flexibility may be required, depending on service needs.

 

Additional duties will be undertaken as directed by the Head of Department in consultation with the post holder.

 

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

1.    Scientific and Technical :

 

·        To ensure requests submitted to and accepted by the Department are processed in accordance with the agreed department protocols, in an accurate & timely manner.

·        To plan, perform and control diagnostic procedures using automated and manual techniques to prescribed standards. To ensure correct operation of specialised tests and ensure laboratory analyses are operating within defined parameters.

·        To have the depth of knowledge and required skills to safely handle infected specimens (eg T.B. H.I.V., Hepatitis B, C) and hazardous materials (eg toxic chemicals) according to defined protocols, including spillage control or other unexpected outcomes.

·        To have the depth of knowledge and intricate physical skills to set up and operate complex instrumentation and specialist equipment, such as microscopes, microtomes, automated processors and staining equipment.

·        To have the depth of knowledge and required skills to safely proceed in the event of anomalous results, breakdowns, or other unexpected outcomes, reporting faults and breakdowns to senior staff and/or taking corrective or evasive action as appropriate

·        To plan and prioritise workload according to service needs and pressures, in conjunction with senior staff. To communicate and co-operate with colleagues to ensure efficient and effective delivery of service.

·        To carry out laboratory policies, Risk Assessments and Standard Operating Procedures, recommend modifications and contribute to future developments.

·        To provide technical advice and explanation on complex matters to medical and other staff, within defined parameters, when the need arises.

·        To ensure the accurate data entry and text/data processing of all information on manual and automated (computer) systems.

·        To carry out Internal and External Quality Assurance Schemes.

·        Monitor appropriate levels of stocks and supplies and report deficiencies to senior staff.

·        To participate in approved research and audit programmes.

·        To participate in the evaluation of new instrumentation, policies and procedures.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • BSc Biomedical Science
  • Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
  • IBMS Specialist Diploma in Cellular Pathology or equivalent.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • • Experience of working in a diagnostic histology/cytology laboratory, gained over several years.
  • • Experience of manual and automated laboratory techniques in histology.
  • • Experience of accreditation systems and QC schemes in histology.

Skills

Essential criteria
  • • Good oral and written communication skills, telephone technique, client / customer liaison.
  • • Good laboratory practice, technical and organisational skills.
  • • Patient and calm, yet assertive and decisive when required.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareNo smoking policyDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - SilverDisability confident employer

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Joanne Sharples
Job title
Cellular Pathology Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01253953151

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
BTH
Telephone
01253 957001
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