Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Job overview

Applications are invited from enthusiastic and highly motivated Specialist Biomedical Scientists to join our Cellular Pathology team at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.

We are seeking a dynamic individual to support our expanding service. Applicants must be able to demonstrate specialist knowledge and experience within Cellular Pathology, alongside strong technical skills, including IHC, and the ability to contribute to staff training, quality assurance, and service development.

• Interview Date Friday 07 August 2026
• 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week, including participation in Saturday rota (approximately one week in 6)
• You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy.  Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Main duties of the job

To contribute to the provision of an effective clinical Cellular Pathology service to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners, other Trusts and other users of the service. This will involve assisting a line manager with operational continuity by supervising, organising and directing Biomedical Scientists, Healthcare Science Associate Practitioners and Healthcare Science Assistants and also imparting specialist knowledge in clinical and technical situations and will report non-compliance’s to their line manager. This would include training and mentorship of staff undertaking portfolios.

To ensure laboratory diagnostic tests and procedures are performed accurately and efficiently and results validated microscopically and judgement used in determining if further tests/procedures are necessary.

To microscopically interpret tissue and/or fluid samples, select and dissect areas for diagnosis e.g. renal biopsies.

To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to the Department Health and Safety Officer.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

It is essential that applicants hold the IBMS Specialist Portfolio  to be appointed at Band 6.  Candidates who have completed or close to completing their portfolio will be appointed to Band 5 until the  Specialist Portfolio certificate has been received. Applications may also be considered from experienced HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientists  in which case appointment would be made at Band 5.

The department provides Histopathology, Cytopathology and Mortuary services housed within a purpose-built facility in a prime city-centre location. We receive a broad range of specimens from within the Trust, General Practitioners and as a specialist referral centre handle cases regionally, nationally and from overseas; we provide an excellent opportunity to gain experience with a wide range of specimens and repertoire of tests. We work closely with genomics services, accommodating the increasing complexity of integrated pathology and molecular diagnostics.

The laboratory is divided into a Specimen Reception, Slide Production, Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Muscle & Nerve, Electron Microscopy, Neuropathology, Cytology, Genomics preparation, Mohs and research facility ‘NovoPath’. We have established Advanced Practitioner roles undertaking specimen dissection with some undertaking RCPath reporting qualifications for BMSs.

The laboratory is open Monday – Friday, 7am – 6pm, flexibility is encouraged to support the staff and the service. As a major Transplant Centre, we also provide an out of hours on-call service that is voluntary to join.

• The department of Cellular Pathology is made up of Histology, Cytology, Neuropathology, Research and Mortuary Services. The post holder will rotate between sections and participate as part of a team, in providing Cellular Pathology service to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners, other Trusts and other users of the service.
• Procedures will be carried out without supervision under the guidance of a Senior Biomedical Scientist.
• To work as part of a team in the receipt of Cellular Pathology specimens, assisting in specimen dissection and preparing samples for processing, recording details on the laboratory information system, storage and eventual disposal of residual tissue.
• To undertake cryotomy on intraoperative tissue samples (frozen sections) and produce high quality sections in a timely and efficient manner.
• To carry out a wide range of laboratory procedures, e.g. taking X-rays of breast and bone samples, programming tissue processors, orientating and embedding tissue samples, preparing and analysing non-gynaecological cytology preparations, microtomy, tissue staining, immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy, moleculardiagnostic procedures, validate results and use judgement in determining and initiating further procedures that may be required.
• To actively participate in the maintenance and basic trouble shooting of laboratory equipment, report any faults and non-compliances to a senior member of staff and take prompt and appropriate action in response to unexpected situations.
• To participate in Quality Control and correct any minor non-conformities and report any major non-compliant events to a senior member of staff.
• To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for you, colleagues and visitors.
• To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any noncompliances to a senior member of staff.