Senior Biomedical Scientist (Non Gynaecological Cytology)

Job overview

The postholder will: -

• Have the qualifications, specialist knowledge and experience required to primary and rapid screen cervical smears and perform the expert opinion checking role for abnormal cervical cytology.
• To have the analytical, judgement and managerial skills to be able to perform the appropriate technical procedures in any area of the department including but not limited to diagnostic cytology, screening room and andrology.  Working autonomously within your scope of practice when taking the necessary steps in dealing with all technical or operational problems which may arise.

To fully engage with the departments quality management systems and actively participate in ensuring departmental procedures and policies remain fit for purpose and meet the requirements of ISO 15189: 2022

Main duties of the job

To have the qualifications, specialist knowledge and experience required to primary and rapid screen cervical smears and perform the expert opinion checking role for abnormal cervical cytology. The post-holder must undertake the appropriate update course in Cervical Cytology, one day each year over a 3-year cycle, and will also be expected to attend various conferences and symposia to maintain knowledge that is current and valid

To comply with NHSCSP requirements for all staff screening cervical cytology. Individual screeners are currently required to screen a minimum of 3,000 cytology slides per annum; checkers must see a minimum of 750 slides per year and screen a minimum of 1,000 cytology slides.

To have the specialist knowledge and practical experience to perform the checking of cervical cytology cases classed as abnormal by the primary or rapid review screener.

To have the advanced analytical and judgemental skills to act as a source of special expertise in all areas of Cytology (Cervical Cytology, Diagnostic Cytopathology).

• Following training and internal competency assessment to have the expert skills to assist in the provision of the diagnostic cytopathology service including FNA and EBUS clinics on all BSPS sites.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To have the qualifications, specialist knowledge and experience required to primary and rapid screen cervical smears and perform the expert opinion checking role for abnormal cervical cytology. The post-holder must undertake the appropriate update course in Cervical Cytology, one day each year over a 3-year cycle, and will also be expected to attend various conferences and symposia to maintain knowledge that is current and valid. To comply with NHSCSP requirements for all staff screening cervical cytology. Individual screeners are currently required to screen a minimum of 3,000 cytology slides per annum; checkers must see a minimum of 750 slides per year and screen a minimum of 1,000 cytology slides.

To comply with NHSCSP accuracy requirements for all staff screening cervical cytology i.e. 90% sensitivity for all grades of abnormals and 95% for high grades.

Following training and competency assessment to check and authorise appropriate categories of cervical cytology reports including “flagged” cases requiring recall period confirmation.

To have the specialist knowledge and practical experience to perform the checking of cervical cytology cases classed as abnormal by the primary or rapid review screener.

To have the analytical and judgemental skills to be able to perform all appropriate technical procedures in use within the department and to work autonomously when taking the necessary steps in dealing with all technical operational problems which may arise.

To have the knowledge and experience required to assess new techniques and equipment for their suitability for adoption by the Cytology department.

To have the advanced analytical and judgemental skills to act as a source of special expertise in all areas of Cytology (Cervical Cytology, Diagnostic Cytopathology).

• Following training and internal competency assessment participate in the supervision of the diagnostic cytopathology preparation laboratory in the St Peter’s Hospital site. Following training and internal competency assessment to have the expert skills to assist in the provision of the diagnostic cytopathology service including FNA and EBUS clinics on all BSPS sites.