Applications are invited for a Senior Biomedical Scientist post within the Molecular Pathology Service at Liverpool Clinical Laboratories (LCL). The successful candidate will be an HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist with previous experience in Molecular Pathology testing protocols and the application of genomics testing within Cellular Pathology. A strong understanding of normal and pathological tissue morphology will also be highly advantageous in potential candidate’s applying for this role.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the delivery of a high quality, patient focused Molecular Pathology testing service within theCheshire and Merseyside Pathology Network (CMPN). Good communication and inter-personal skills, together with a team-focused approach are essential for this role.
The successful candidate will work within the LCL Molecular Pathology Department tosupport the delivery of routine genomics diagnostics within Cellular Pathology and play a key role in the implementation of new genomics pathways in Cellular Pathology services within the Cheshire and Merseyside Pathology Network (CMPN).
The post holder will be an HCPC Specialist Biomedical Scientist whose role will be to lead, supervise and motivate team members in the laboratory and to assist the Molecular Pathology Service Manager in the assessment and implementation of new techniques and equipment as required.
The post holder will oversee and participate in a broad range of specialised diagnostic tests including Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) investigations. Interpretive analysis forms a large component of this job role and the prospective post holder should have a good knowledge of tissue morphology and of the science behind the procedures they are using.
The successful candidate will be expected to work autonomously and as a member of a team and should be able to operate and problem-solve specialist equipment used for genomic analysis.
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
Aintree University Hospitalis the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility.Broadgreen Hospitalis home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation.Liverpool Women’s Hospitalspecialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK’s largest single site maternity hospital each year. TheRoyal Liverpool University Hospitalis the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
For roles at Liverpool Women’s, visit theircareers page.
Job Summary
The Molecular Pathology Team Leader is a highly skilled and experienced professional, capable of performing routine and specialised tasks in a knowledgeable way to assist in the diagnosis of disease, to determine their existence or absence, as well as to monitor treatment effectiveness.
The post holder will play an active role in the performance of routine and specialised tasks involved in the Molecular Pathology Service delivering a high level of quality and working to take into consideration health and safety regulations and financial viability. The successful candidate will lead the team to ensure that the daily workload is completed efficiently while adhering to all departmental policies and procedures. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills and be required to train and educate a wide range of staff in the use and application of genomics procedures in Cellular Pathology.
The post holder will be required to meet the requirements of all internal and external Quality Assurance and United Kingdom accreditation service (UKAS) standards and uphold the department's professional reputation in the Trust. Most importantly, the post holder should be patient centred.
Key responsibilities
· Services -routine and specialised technical procedures and organisation, research and development, Quality Assurance and Quality Control involved in the Molecular Pathology service.
· People -duty to take reasonable care and work in accordance with the Health and Safety regulations. Undertake discipline, appraisal and recruitment of staff.
· Resources–undertake evaluation of equipment and consumables ensuring duty of responsibility for all departmental equipment to ensure effective and efficient functioning and to be financially mindful.
· Information -to attend and participate in Trust and departmental meetings.
· Training –to be proactive in own personal training/development and that of junior staff, overseeing training programmes and additional educational activities.
Management responsibilities
· Take responsibility for the daily supervision of Biomedical Scientists, Trainee Biomedical Scientists, Associate practitioners and Medical Laboratory Assistant’s.
· To assist and deputise the Molecular Pathology Manager in the management and thedeployment of staff in the event of sickness/holidays and appropriately deploy staff within the team.
· To manage minor breaches of discipline within the Molecular Pathology team, reporting more serious breaches of discipline to the Molecular Pathology Manager.
· Take responsibility for the general tidiness, quality and effective operation of the LCL Molecular Pathology Service.
· To contribute to the planning strategy of the department via the Molecular Pathology Manager.
· To plan work schedules and determine work priorities within the Molecular Pathology Service to ensure completion of the day to day work in the department.
· To ensure that results are validated and quality control measures have been fulfilled.
· To ensure maintenance, calibration and internal quality control of equipment is performed, taking corrective action when required.
· Teach technical support staff, medical staff and placement students a basic knowledge of Molecular Pathology techniques.
· To train scientific staff in the operation of specialist equipment within the Molecular Pathology Service ensuring safety protocols are followed and adhered to.
• Take an active role in the delivery of the appraisal programme in the department as required.
· To create and implement SOP’s for the Molecular Pathology Service incorporating COSHH and risk assessments.
· To review and update SOP’s as required to conform to UKAS regulations.
· To arrange regular stock takes and maintain appropriate stock levels.
Quality Control
· To contribute to the department’s ongoing quality management culture.
· To supervise, co-ordinate and participate in External Quality Assurance Schemes and monitor compliance rates.
· To review and analyse the results of external quality assurance and internal quality control and investigate and resolve non-compliances.
· To assist the Quality Manager in investigating any untoward incidents and implement any preventable actions.
· To implement any immediate corrective actions required to maintain the Molecular Pathology Service.
· To ensure that all documents are kept up to date and maintained securely in compliance with local, Trust, and departmental SOPs.
· To review and write, as required, departmental SOPs.
· Participate in the departmental audit schedule as required, ensuring that all findings are assigned to the appropriate handler and closed in the appropriate timescale.
· Be able to raise non-conformities (NC), DATIX incidents and be able to conduct root cause analysis in order to close NCs quickly and effectively.
Scientific and technical
· In accordance with local training policy and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) to perform sample preparation for genomic testing.
· Support the delivery of genomic testing for cancer patients both in LCL and through the preparation of referral material for analysis at the North West GLH located in Manchester.
· Engage in the routine work of the Molecular Pathology laboratory, including routine processing, embedding, section cutting and staining of histology samples in accordance with departmental protocols.
· To participate in the duties undertaken in the Immunocytochemistry (ICC) department, performing immunoperoxidase and in situ hybridisation staining protocols (FISH) in accordance with departmental SOPs.
· To be responsible for essential maintenance tasks and be able to problem solve equipment faults, ensuring operational continuity for complex laboratory equipment.
· To undertake microscopic QC of all stained slides and participate in the process of verification/validation of new antibodies and probes used in the Molecular Pathology Service.
· To undertaketumour content assessment.
· To evaluate and report fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) stained slides.
· To be involved with the improvement and development of the service, evaluating new equipment, and introducing new techniques.
· On a regular basis perform validation and verification of new equipment and testing assays ensuring that all the associated paperwork required isin compliance with ISO15189:2022 (UKAS), HTA and HSE standards.
Advice, Guidance and Interpersonal Skills
· Deal professionally during liaison with colleagues, other health professionals and staff from external organisations.
· Provide specialist advice to pathologists, clerical staff, clinicians and other service users regarding appropriate testing regimes, specimen types and turnaround times.
· Provide advice and guidance to students and trainees, to other Biomedical Scientists and to pathologists.
· Be proactive in the training of staff in the department, including junior BMSs, support staff and students.
· To assist in the Chief BMS with the implementation and development of competency assessments for Molecular Pathology as required for the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Cellular Pathology.
Professional Responsibilities
· To maintain registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and adhere to the codes of conduct of the Institute of Biomedical Scientists (IBMS).
· To actively participate in formal and informal CPD activities as required by the professional body.
· Due to a varied workload, it is necessary to be able to multi-task both physically and mentally, as well as to be able to communicate with all levels of staff.
· Deputise for the Chief BMS staff members in their absence.
· To behave with courtesy and consideration to colleagues and service users, regardless of hierarchical or professional position within the organisation.
· To attend educational and training courses as required by the department.
· Maintain knowledge of advances in relevant scientific areas through continuous professional development.
· To attend Trust Mandatory training sessions as required, as well as any other relevant training courses.
Health and Safety
· To fully comply with the relevant sections of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
· All workers have a responsibility to take reasonable precautions to prevent harm to themselves or others, as well as to assist the Trust in fulfilling its legal obligations.
· To handle chemicals and biological material in accordance with COSHH regulations and departmental protocols.
· To participate in Risk Assessments and COSHH assessments.
IT Duties
• To use all the departmental computer systems to perform daily tasks, Telepath and Q-Pulse among others.
• To ensure that information records are generated, maintained, and exchanged in an acceptable manner, in compliance with legislative requirements and agreed security and confidentiality policies, procedures, and guidelines. All employees are responsible for ensuring that data quality is implemented and maintained, as well as that documents are legible and traceable, and that records are kept in a timely manner.
• To establish the status/progress of a specimen by tracking the sample at all stages of processing.
This advert closes on Tuesday 11 Feb 2025