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Job summary

Main area
Cellular Pathology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (2 Maternity cover posts for 45wks and 12 months)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
249-7559692
Employer
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Great Western Hospital
Town
Swindon
Salary
per annum pro rata
Closing
01/12/2025 08:00

Employer heading

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialist Biomedical Scientist

NHS AfC: Band 6

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a unique organisation, serving as the sole integrated provider in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire system. Our scope extends beyond boundaries as we oversee adult community services in Swindon and provide acute care from the Great Western Hospital. 

Our 5,500 staff have 1.2m patient contacts a year, with 13,000 operations carried out in our Theatres, around 4,000 babies born, and our emergency attendances are now well over 100,000 per year. Those numbers only tell part of our story about what an exciting time it is to join Great Western Hospitals.

We are cultivating a culture that fosters our ambitions, prioritising equality, diversion, inclusion, wellbeing, and leadership. We aim to create an environment where every member of our team can truly thrive.

The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer; all applicants who have a disability can opt to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme, which means that, providing they meet the minimum essential criteria for the post, they will be offered an interview. We are also proudly accredited as a Veteran Aware organisation and have signed The Armed Forces Covenant.

If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close adverts prior to the published closing date. Therefore, we advise you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Job overview

We are offering two fixed-term opportunity for an experienced and motivated Band 6 Biomedical Scientist to join our Cellular Pathology team.

These fixed term role are available until October and December 2026 as maternity cover.  You will play a key role in delivering high-quality histological and/or cytological diagnostic services, while also contributing to quality, training, and service improvement initiatives.

Main duties of the job

  • Undertake specialist duties in specimen dissection, embedding, microtomy, staining, immunohistochemistry, and/or non-gynae cytology

  • Provide support and supervision for junior staff, including Band 5 BMS and support workers

  • Participate in internal and external quality assurance schemes and audit processes

  • Contribute to the implementation of digital pathology, including electronic requesting and LIMS optimisation

  • Support the verification and validation of new tests, equipment, and workflow changes

  • Assist in maintaining laboratory compliance with ISO 15189 and UKAS standards

  • Engage with wider clinical and laboratory teams to support safe, efficient diagnostics

Working for our organisation

You’ll join a welcoming, experienced, and quality-focused Cellular Pathology team within a multi-specialty Pathology service committed to delivering safe and timely diagnostic services to our patients.

Our STAR values – Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect – are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will work as a senior member of the laboratory team to support the operational delivery of high-quality histological and/or cytological investigations, including:

  • Performing complex technical work across the histology workflow

  • Ensuring safe and accurate handling, processing, and analysis of patient samples

  • Monitoring quality and assisting in troubleshooting technical or workflow issues

  • Supporting and mentoring junior staff and participating in training programmes

  • Participating in audits, SOP reviews, and preparation for UKAS accreditation inspections

  • Contributing to innovation projects, including equipment upgrades and potential digital slide scanning developments

Person specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential criteria
  • BSc(Hons) Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
  • Registration with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) as a Biomedical Scientist
  • IBMS specialist diploma in cellular pathology or equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • Member of IBMS
  • Evidence of CPD
  • Specialist training

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Previous experience of working in a diagnostic Cellular Pathology laboratory
  • Experienced in embedding, microtomy, staining histology samples
  • QC checking of samples
  • Preparation at cut-up of BMS specimen dissection
  • Immunohistochemistry experience
Desirable criteria
  • Involvement in quality management processes including reviewing SOPs, and recording departmental incidents
  • Previous experience of Health and Safety processes, including Risk Assessments and COSHH assessments
  • Non-Gynae cytology/Andrology experience

Other

Essential criteria
  • Positive, enthusiastic and motivated
  • Ability to cope under pressure
  • Flexible approach to role

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in People: Goldhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/kickstart-scheme-brand-guidelinesStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Matthew Long
Job title
Cellular Pathology Laboratory Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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