# Expert Practitioner - Histological Dissection > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/expert-practitioner-histological-dissection/18ff0832-dd84-4b4e-a36e-12ca32d034f2 - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/expert-practitioner-histological-dissection/18ff0832-dd84-4b4e-a36e-12ca32d034f2.md ## Summary - **Status:** Live - **Employer:** Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - **Location:** Royal Liverpool University Hospital - **Workplace type:** onsite - **Profession:** Biomedical scientist, Clinical scientist - **Grade:** Band 7 - **Salary:** £49,387 - £56,515 per annum - **Contract type:** Permanent - **Employment type:** Full time - 37.5 hours per week (This department operates extended day over 7 days.) - **Closing date:** 2026-10-26T23:59:00.000Z - **Posted:** 2026-10-12T08:06:07.303Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/Merseyside/Liverpool/Liverpool_University_Hospitals_NHS_Foundation_Trust/Histopathology/Histopathology-v8358455 - **Application URL:** https://apps.trac.jobs/job-advert/8358455?ShowJobAdvert=&feedid=9002 - **Employer website:** https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk ## Job Content ### Job overview Liverpool Clinical Laboratories (LCL) is seeking to appoint a substantive Expert Practitioner Healthcare Scientist (Histological Dissection) within LCL. This is an excellent opportunity to join the largest provider of specialist histological pathology services in Cheshire and Merseyside. The successful candidate will be a registered Biomedical or Clinical Scientist with a significant background in histopathology dissection and hold an IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice (DEP) in Histological Dissection. We are seeking a strong leader with attention to detail and an innovation mindset. Candidates who do not hold a DEP (dissection) are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be supported to complete the portfolio within 2 years. In addition to the dissection role, candidates will be involved in the leadership and management for the dissection and specimen reception services in collaboration with a team of Expert Practitioner team leaders and Advanced Practitioners. We're looking for people who see opportunities to innovate and lead, and who recognise that behind every sample is a patient. If you're someone who inspires those around you and is a true 'team player', we want to hear from you. Interested candidates are welcome and encouraged to visit our new state of the art laboratory. Please note that our BMS dissection roles and scope of responsibility are currently under review. ### Main duties of the job Expert Practitioners perform complex scientific procedures, interpreting biological samples that support the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of disease, including cancer. They dissect a wide range of histological specimens (Categories A-C) and selected Category D-E specimens in line with training and competence, while supporting the departmental cut-up rota. They maintain and develop expertise throughout their career. The role includes managing specimen reception or dissection laboratories to ensure efficient workflow and high-quality service. Working with expert dissectors, advanced practitioners, and consultant pathologists, they uphold ISO15189 standards and lead training for biomedical scientists, laboratory technicians, and medical specialist trainees. ### Detailed job description and main responsibilities - Undertake complex scientific procedures involving the examination, interpretation, and dissection of biological specimens to support the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of disease and other pathological conditions. - Independently dissect the full range of Category A-C specimens and selected Category D-E specimens within approved competency and scope of practice. - Manage the day-to-day operation of the Cellular Pathology specimen reception and/or dissection laboratories, ensuring compliance with accreditation, regulatory, quality, and health and safety requirements. - Work collaboratively with Senior Management to provide specialist expertise, support service development, and maintain high-quality laboratory services. - Communicate complex scientific and medical information effectively with pathologists, surgeons, radiologists, and other healthcare professionals to support patient care. - Lead the education, training, assessment, and professional development of Biomedical Scientists, laboratory staff, and junior medical colleagues in specimen examination, dissection, and sampling techniques. - Contribute to departmental training programmes and workforce development initiatives. - Coordinate and manage the collection of tissue samples for research and other approved projects in accordance with governance requirements. - Independently assess, describe, sample, and dissect benign and malignant biopsies and surgical resections within the agreed scope of practice (Categories A-C and selected D-E specimens). - Provide expert scientific advice to clinical and medical colleagues to support diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient management. - Maintain expert-level dissection knowledge and practice in accordance with current Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) guidance and professional standards. - Exercise professional judgement when selecting and adapting dissection procedures to ensure optimal specimen examination and sampling. - Support quality assurance, service improvement, and innovation within the department. - Excellent verbal and written communication skills. - Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues at all levels of the organisation. - Demonstrates resilience and professionalism when dealing with complex, stressful, or distressing situations. - Ability to maintain concentration and produce accurate, clinically focused work over extended periods. - Commitment to quality improvement, patient safety, and continuous professional development. - Ability to produce complex documentation, reports, and training materials with clarity and precision. For a full list of duties, please refer to the attached job description and person specification. ### Applicant requirements You must have appropriate UK professional registration. ## Person Specification ### Other **Essential** - Excellent communication skills - Demonstrates a high level of resilience and ability to deal with distressing and stressful circumstances - Able to maintain concentration for long periods of time in order to produce timely, accurate clinically focussed work - Demonstrates excellent communication skills at all levels of organisation - Able to write complex documents with clarity and precision ### Skills **Essential** - Advanced macroscopic tissue recognition and dissection skills - Evidence of ability to order appropriate ancillary tests (e.g. fresh tissue collection) - Able to produce high quality macroscopic descriptions for clinicians in all Trusts in a timely fashion meeting departmental KPI’s - Autonomy in dissection of comprehensive range of surgical specimens (Category A-C) - Able to manage and prioritise the work of the dissection room. - Assessment of the suitability of set procedures for any given specimen and using judgement to carry out alternatives. - Able to organise own workload and do so under pressure - Able to obtain appropriate biological control material, use of other specific control measures where appropriate and complete the validation of such material ### Knowledge **Essential** - Evidence of comprehensive CPD portfolio in relevant specialty - Up to date knowledge of Royal College of Pathologists guidelines for specimen dissection - Up to date knowledge of Evidence based national and international patient care pathways - Understanding of Health & Safety requirements in laboratory - Understanding of up to date UKAS/ISO15189 or equivalent standards for medical laboratory accreditation ### Experience **Essential** - Minimum 24 months dissection experience including benign and malignant resections - Competency assessments for RCPath specimen types Cat A-C in all specialties demonstrated - Evidence of training Biomedical Scientists and junior medical staff - Experience of leadership and management within a Pathology setting ### Qualifications **Essential** - BMS Diploma of Expert practice in Histological Dissection - HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientist - MSc (or equivalent) in relevant specialty - Member of the Institute of Biomedical Science **Desirable** - Post-graduate management qualification or equivalent experience ## Documents - [risk id (pdf, 344.6kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10684769) - [job description (pdf, 310.2kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10684768) - [recruitment documents (pdf, 383.5kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10684770) ## Agent Notes - This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk job record as the HTML job detail page. - Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references. - Use the application URL when the user wants to apply on the source NHS site.