Job summary
Senior Biomedical Scientist - Dissection Specialist
Department: Cellular Pathology
Band 7: £49,387 and £56,515 Per annum, pro rata
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

The Histopathology department at #TeamMKUH have recently had a business case approved to expand our workforce due to our popular and growing services. As the demand for pathology services increases, we are investing in our workforce, welcoming talented Biomedical Scientists, Assistant Technician Officers, administrator staff and other registered healthcare professionals who bring fresh expertise and innovation to the department.

We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute

Interview date: Friday 7th of August

Main duties of the job
The Cellular Pathology department is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, proactive, and experienced individual to take up the post of Senior Biomedical Scientist Dissection Specialist in our professional and friendly team.

The individual will be a key member of the Cellular Pathology management team assisting in the day-to-day operational delivery of the Cellular Pathology service, working closely with the Cellular Pathology Operational and Laboratory Managers and Consultant Histopathologists. You will have experience of performing specimen dissection, RCPath categories A - D and will assist in leading and developing the BMS dissection service.

The successful candidate will be a professional with strong technical, troubleshooting, and decision-making skills and the ability to communicate confidently and effectively. Additionally, you will assist in directing a team of scientific and support staff to deliver a diagnostic service that meets accreditation & regulatory requirements to deliver effective patient care and resource management.

About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.

Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

Job responsibilities
NHS Survey, 2024. Healthcare Scientists feels their health safety and wellbeing is support at work.

The post holder will be part of a team of Biomedical Scientists delivering a 24/7 diagnostic service analysing and reporting on blood, urine, faeces and other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care, and effective resource management within the hospital.

To work closely with the Operational Manager and Quality Manager on all aspects of Quality impacting on the Cellular Pathology Departments compliance with IS0 15189 standards.

To provide professional leadership and direction for staff including expert scientific and technical knowledge.

To monitor and report on Quality & Performance of the Chemical Pathology laboratory.

To manage aspects of Change Control & Document Control within the Chemical Pathology department in liaison with the Operational Lead.

The post holder will be a member of and support the Pathology Quality Improvement Team in the maintenance and development of the Quality Management system within the Chemical Pathology Department.

The post holder will report directly to the Chemical Pathology Operational Manager where acceptable levels of Quality are not maintained or where key result areas cannot be met due to operational constraint.

The post holder will implement all actions required to maintain an operational service meeting the requirements of the Pathology Quality Management System.

Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge

• HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist
• BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent in a relevant field
• MSc or equivalent postgraduate qualification in a relevant Biomedical Science field
• Comprehensive specialist scientific knowledge in Cellular Pathology to underpin the technical aspects of service delivery
• Extensive knowledge of ISO 15189 standards for medical laboratories
• Knowledge of laboratory training and competency requirements
• Knowledge of quality assurance
• Knowledge of professional Health and Safety legislation / requirements
• Knowledge of GDPR requirements
• Evidence of relevant continued professional development
• Awareness of wider NHS/Pathology initiatives

Desirable

• Membership of the IBMS
• Hold the IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice in Histological Dissection
• Management qualification

Experience

• Post HCPC registration experience as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6) within Cellular Pathology
• Experience of performing histological dissection of specimen categories A-D
• External assessment by UKAS
• Experience as a trainer / mentor
• Experience in quality audits
• Incident investigation

Desirable

• Experience as a team leader at Band 7

Skills

• Ability to manage conflicting priorities and complete tasks within given timeframes
• Be able to organise the workload of the laboratory
• Excellent practical and technical skills in Cellular Pathology laboratory techniques
• Experience of performing Category A-D specimen dissection
• Ability to troubleshoot problems under pressure
• Ability to manage difficult situations and pressures
• Proficient IT skills including the use of MS Office software.
• Use of QMS tools e.g., QPulse
• Technical and scientific troubleshooting skills
• Change control / management skills
• Ability to analyse complex laboratory results and provide appropriate advice to service users

Personal and people development

• Proven leadership / management skills
• Motivational skills
• Self-motivated and patient focused
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity.
• Flexible approach
• Enthusiastic
• Demonstrate reliability and commitment
• Commitment to service development and quality improvement

Desirable

• Perform annual joint review
• Forward thinking

Communication

• Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English
• Good interpersonal skills
• Effective listening skills
• Effective trainer, modifying the approach as appropriate
• Able to present complex information to colleagues with differing knowledge and ability levels

Desirable

• Effective communication with auditors
• Customer care / service user skills

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.