The Royal Marsden Hospital (NHS Foundation Trust)
Band 6 Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Histopathology

An exciting opportunity has risen for a 1 year fixed term, experienced and enthusiastic band 6 Biomedical Scientist to join the Cellular Pathology department, located at the Sutton site of the Royal Marsden Hospital. Applicants must be HCPC registered and have completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio or have equivalent experience.

The major focus of the role will be in performing essential technical duties for the department, section cutting, assisting with automated immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridisation, maintenance tasks and supporting Pathologists in providing a reliable and accurate diagnostic service. Attention to detail is important and the post holder must be able to work to high standards, following defined protocols and assist in the production of accurate & high quality analytical results for the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

For an informal visit or further information, please contact Natalie Peters, Histopathology laboratory manger 0208 915 6549.

The post holder will be responsible for carrying out scientific analytical work on clinical samples within the Histopathology Department at Centre for Molecular Pathology (CMP) Sutton, providing a diagnostic service both for the Trust’s clinicians and also for those in the national and international community seeking second opinion.

The post holder will rotate through all sections of the Department performing core and advanced procedures as required.

The post holder may when required deputise for a Section Manager in their absence. Duties will include, amongst others, specimen processing and preparation, data entry of requests, equipment maintenance and liaison with other hospital staff.

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

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