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Job overview
Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Services (CWPS) offer a range of diagnostics tests across a number of departments. The Cellular Pathology service receives approximately 56,000 cases per year across 3 NHS Trusts; University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, George Eliot NHS Trust and South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust.
The Histology laboratories are based at University Hospital Coventry and Warwick Hospital. It is an exciting time to join the department as we are currently implementing new laboratory equipment. We have also recently implemented the Sectra Digital Pathology solution and brand new Hamamatsu scanners, and will be upgrading the Pathology LIMS system in 2026.
CWPS have been given funding for extra laboratory workforce to support in meeting the increasing demand for Histology case processing and Cancer Services across the Trusts. We are looking for a Specialist Scientific Lead in Tissue Dissection & Sampling to support in advanced dissection.
The post holder must be a Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientist registered with the HCPC, possess a relevant higher degree e.g. MSc in Pathological Sciences and hold the IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Histopathological Dissection. The successful candidate will hold the IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma in Dissection.
Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.
Main duties of the job
You will liaise closely with the other Advanced BMSs, Reporting BMSs and Section Lead BMSs, the Cellular Pathology Laboratory Manager, Deputy Head BMS and clinical team to ensure provision of a high-quality service within the resources available.
The post holder with work within the dissection team to assist Consultant Histopathologist's in specimen dissection. The post holder will be expected to teach, train and supervise Biomedical Scientists and junior medical staff in the dissection area. The post holder will ensure that the specialised technical assistance required by Pathologists is provided by the BMS and BMA staff in the department.
Working under their own initiative and referring to the Consultant Histopathologist as required, the post holder will undertake a role that involves the macroscopic description, dissection and block sampling of specimens that fall within normal limits the RCPath designation of category, A, B, C, D & E. Accuracy and attention to detail is essential. The post holder will train to dissect a wider range of category D & E specimens using specialist knowledge as required by the service.
Working shifts are 7.5 hours rotating between 7am and 7pm Monday- Saturday across the 2 sites.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This is a network post including our two histology sites of SWFT and UHCW; you will be expected to work across both sites but the main base is UHCW.
In conjunction with the Consultant Histopathologist the post holder will participate in the sampling of fresh tissue for research and Biobank (Tissue Bank). The post holder will be required to train junior medical staff in the sampling of fresh tissue for research and Biobank (Tissue Bank).
In liaison with the Advanced BMS in specimen reception and dissection, the post holder will ensure a timely workflow and assist in maintaining high scientific and technical standards.
For further details please see the attached job description.
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- • Be able to speak, receive and issue instructions without risk of misunderstanding. • Good organisational skills • Be able to prepare and comment on complex documents such as a standard operating procedure (in English). • High level of accuracy and attention to detail. • Ability to train other staff • Ability to communicate technical information and results to other health professionals and be able to use telephone and email • Supervisory skills • Planning and organisational skills • Excellent presentation skills • Good communication skills (verbal and written) • Evidence of working as part of a team • Good time management and prioritisation skills • Good IT skills including commonly used software packages in the laboratory and dissection areas • Able to communicate highly complex and sensitive information to individuals or groups
Knowledge
Essential
- • A working knowledge of RCPath cancer data sets and dissection guidelines including block selection for diagnosis and research • Extensive histopathology laboratory knowledge including decalcification, fixation, tissue processing and embedding techniques • Anatomical, clinical presentation and differential diagnose • Experience in Audit and Error Logging • Awareness of all local and national legislation/policies relating to relevant aspects of Laboratory Medicine • Knowledge of the ISO15189 standard including uncertainty of measurement, validation and verification etc.
Desirable
- • A working knowledge of the RCPath retention and storage of pathological records and specimen guidelines
Experience
Essential
- • Extensive experience working in a clinical laboratory as a state registered BMS • Extensive experience in dissection • Extensive experience in an adult histopathology laboratory • Training and supervision of staff including junior medical staff • Experience in managing Health and Safety • Experience of participation and preparation for an ISO/UKAS inspection • Experience of leading a team
Desirable
- • Experience of training other staff • Problem solving
Qualifications
Essential
- • HCPC registration as a Biomedical scientist or clinical scientist, through possession of an acceptable degree • Relevant MSc or equivalent qualification • Hold the IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Histological Dissection or equivalent qualification via the Scientist Training Programme (STP) with single specialism in Histopathology and associated experience of specimen dissection in categories A-E • Hold or be working towards the IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma in dissection • Evidence of ongoing CPD
Desirable
- • Management qualification • Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences • Leadership/management qualification
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential
- • Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust’s values. (As detailed in UHCW’s Values in Action document below) • Applicants applying for job roles with managerial responsibility will be required to demonstrate evidence of promoting equal opportunities through work experience
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Specialist Scientific Lead, Tissue Dissection & Sampling with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust in Coventry, Midlands, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £57,528 - £64,750 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 20 Jul 2026.
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