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Job summary

Main area
Histopathology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
282-SA1280
Employer
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Royal Marsden Chelsea
Town
Chelsea
Salary
£46,419 - £55,046 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/03/2026 23:59

Employer heading

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialist Biomedical Scientist

NHS AfC: Band 6

Job overview

We are seeking a Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6 AfC equivalent) to support the operation of the Cellular Pathology Genomic Centre (CPGC). The CPGC plays a key role in the preparation of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue for submission to the North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub.

The post holder will undertake pre-analytical procedures, including microtomy, to prepare samples for downstream genomic testing. The role also offers the opportunity to rotate through all sections of the Cellular Pathology Department, performing both core and advanced procedures as required.

Based within the Cellular Pathology Department at Chelsea, the post holder will carry out scientific analytical work on clinical samples, contributing to a high-quality diagnostic service for Trust clinicians, as well as supporting national and international referrals and second-opinion cases.

Main duties of the job

The post is for a Specialist Biomedical Scientist, Band 6 AfC Equivalent, to assist in the running of the Cellular Pathology Genomic Centre (CPGC).

The CPGC is responsible for the preparation of formalin-fixed paraffin-was embedded (FFPE) tissue for submission to the North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub.

The post holder will perform pre-analytical procedures such as microtomy necessary for the sample preparation for downstream genomic testing.

The post holder will have the opportunity to rotate through all sections of the department, performing both core and advanced procedures as required. The post holder will be responsible for undertaking scientific analytical work on clinical samples within the Cellular Pathology Department at Chelsea, contributing to the delivery of a high-quality diagnostic service for Trust clinicians, as well as for national and international referrals and second-opinion diagnoses.

In addition, the post holder may be required to deputise for a Section Lead in their absence. Duties will include, but are not limited to, specimen processing and preparation, accurate data entry of requests, routine equipment maintenance, and effective liaison with other hospital staff to support service delivery.

 

Working for our organisation

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information please refer to the job description and personal specification

•    Actively participate in the CPGC workload, technical and administrative

•    Use of microtome’s to produce tissue sections and rolls from paraffin wax samples (internal and external samples)

•    Understanding of specific requirements for tissue sectioning for different tissue types, subsequent diagnostic techniques

•    Accuracy in ensuring slides are appropriately labelled

•    Use of automated staining system to produce H&E staining

•    Basic understanding of routine maintenance of automated H&E staining system 

Person specification

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Educational qualification in mathematics

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Ability to express themselves clearly
  • Good telephone manner, diplomatic
  • Ability to write clearly and concisely
  • Ability to use in-house IT systems
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to use Microsoft software or equivalent

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of personal development
  • Able to work unsupervised
Desirable criteria
  • Self-confident, contributes to laboratory meetings
  • Flexible approach to work

Specific Experience

Essential criteria
  • Degree in biomedical science
  • HCPC registration
  • Experience of working in all areas of relevant routine laboratory
  • Able to understand / follow SOPs
Desirable criteria
  • Specialist Portfolio or extensive post registration experience.
  • Evidence of post registration study
  • Able to perform basic training

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Ability to perform complex scientific calculations and data analysis
  • Good judgement, analytical, perceptive, eye for detail
  • Able to deal with all simple day to day problems and trouble shooting
Desirable criteria
  • Awareness of organisational and logistical issues

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria
  • Commitment to team working
Desirable criteria
  • Enthusiasm for job and profession

Specific Experience

Essential criteria
  • Full understanding of all laboratory H&S procedures
  • Able to work to deadlines
  • Full understanding of EQA & IQA and their implications

Clinical responsibility

Essential criteria
  • Understanding of relationship between laboratory investigations and clinical practice
  • Awareness of clinical significance of laboratory findings and implications for patients
  • Ability to extrapolate from basic information to consider additional investigations to perform
  • Ability to review anomalous / unexpected findings and take further appropriate action

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDApprenticeships logoLondon Living Wage is a voluntary commitment made by employers, who can become accredited with the Living Wage FoundationArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStep into health

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Coralie Pennaneac'h
Job title
Histopathology Laboratory Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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