Biomedical Scientist

at  Synnovis

The Department of Clinical Neuropathology at King’s College Hospital Denmark Hill Campus in London has full time, permanent job opportunities for experienced biomedical scientists specialising in Histology, at Band 6.
Working Monday to Friday, your existing skillsets will be stretched as you apply advanced techniques in Neuropathology, playing a key role in this specialist service.
This UKAS accredited department delivers comprehensive diagnostic neuropathology services for King’s College Hospital, external referring institutions and is involved in research investigations for the London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank.
The department handles a wide range of CNS and PNS specimens including muscle, nerve, pituitary and skin (for IENFD intra-epidermal nerve fibre density analysis), and conducts whole brain examinations. The techniques employed include standard formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue sectioning and staining as well as advanced histological procedures including fresh frozen sections for enzyme histochemistry, automated and manual immunohistochemistry and resin processing for semi-thin and ultra-thin electron microscopy. Experience in these techniques will be highly advantageous.
This is a permanent position available immediately to suitably qualified applicants.
In addition to your salary, you will receive a one off joining bonus payment of £3,000 payable after successfully passing your probation and subject to terms and conditions.
You will carry out a range of specialised diagnostic histological tests under the guidance of senior biomedical scientists, and will provide scientific and technical support within the Department.

General

• The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and well-being and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
• To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
• The post holder may be required to carry out other duties in line with the grading of the post. The job description may be subject to change and, if so, this will take place in consultation with the post holder

PRINCIPLE DUTIES WILL INCLUDE:

1. Perform a range of examination procedures and laboratory analysis on tissue specimens for the diagnosis of disease.
2. Preserve and process organ and tissue samples using a variety of specialised techniques including freezing, aerosol fixation, paraffin wax and resin processing.
3. Cut very thin sections of processed samples using a variety of microtomes and perform H&E and special stains as well as immuno-staining with associated quality processes.
4. Participating in and promoting an effective Quality Management System in collaboration with the Quality Manager.
5. Liaising with pathologists, clinicians and laboratory staff in other areas of the department and wider Trust to ensure a professional and efficient service.
   Your development and learning
   You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.
   Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.
   At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.
   Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London. This post is based in The Department of Clinical Neuropathology on the King’s College Hospital Denmark Hill campus.
   The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
   The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
   The department of Clinical Neuropathology provides high-quality UKAS accredited diagnostic services and conducts research into disease of the nervous system. A wide range of CNS and PNS specimens are handled. Services include diagnosis of tumours as well as other pathologies on Pituitary biopsies, Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), Muscle and Nerve biopsy, Intra-Epidermal Nerve Fibre Density analysis (IENFD), Epilepsy surgery and supporting comprehensive Neuro Molecular Genetic testing. The department provides autopsy examinations and forensic neuropathology, particularly for head injury and co-ordinates research projects and teaching courses in traumatic neuropathology. The department also provides clinical diagnosis for the Centre for Nervous Tissue Bio-Resource (Brain Bank) for neurodegenerative disease.
   King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. King’s has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.
   Over the last 170 years, King’s has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.
   Duties and Responsibilities

OTHER DUTIES:

• Maintain stocks of all chemicals and reagents. Inform the appropriate senior BMS or Laboratory Manager when stocks are running low such that replacements arrive before they run out.
• Meticulously maintain the records of work and tests carried out on each sample, either manually or on computer (as required), as it progresses through the laboratory.
• Liaise with the appropriate senior BMS when organising work priorities.
• When required, retrieve microscope slides from the archives, cut sections and prepare additional stains for various clinical meetings run by the Department.
• When requested, prepare test material for EQA schemes.
• Carry out audits (when appointed to do so by the Quality Manager) as part of the Department’s internal quality management system to meet the requirements of UKAS accreditation to ISO15189. When completed, prepare a report (including any non-compliances) and present the findings to the Quality Manager.
• Maintain registration with the Health and Care Professions Council to practice as a Biomedical Scientist.

General

• The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and well-being and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
• To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
• The post holder may be required to carry out other duties in line with the grading of the post. The job description may be subject to change and, if so, this will take place in consultation with the post holder.