Job summary
Applications are invited from enthusiastic and highly motivated Specialist Biomedical Scientists to join our Cellular Pathology team at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
We are seeking a dynamic individual to support our expanding service. Applicants must be able to demonstrate specialist knowledge and experience within Cellular Pathology, alongside strong technical skills, including IHC, and the ability to contribute to staff training, quality assurance, and service development.
- Interview Date Friday 07 August 2026
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week, including participation in Saturday rota (approximately one week in 6)
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
To contribute to the provision of an effective clinical Cellular Pathology service to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners, other Trusts and other users of the service. This will involve assisting a line manager with operational continuity by supervising, organising and directing Biomedical Scientists, Healthcare Science Associate Practitioners and Healthcare Science Assistants and also imparting specialist knowledge in clinical and technical situations and will report non-compliance's to their line manager. This would include training and mentorship of staff undertaking portfolios.
To ensure laboratory diagnostic tests and procedures are performed accurately and efficiently and results validated microscopically and judgement used in determining if further tests/procedures are necessary.
To microscopically interpret tissue and/or fluid samples, select and dissect areas for diagnosis e.g. renal biopsies.
To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to the Department Health and Safety Officer.
About us
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:
- Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
- Freeman Hospital
- Newcastle Dental Hospital
- Cramlington Manor Walks
- Urgent treatment centres
- Newcastle Fertility Centre
- Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
- Northern Genetics Service
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trus
Job description
Job responsibilities
It is essential that applicants hold the IBMS Specialist Portfolio to be appointed at Band 6. Candidates who have completed or close to completing their portfolio will be appointed to Band 5 until the Specialist Portfolio certificate has been received. Applications may also be considered from experienced HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientists in which case appointment would be made at Band 5.
The department provides Histopathology, Cytopathology and Mortuary services housed within a purpose-built facility in a prime city-centre location. We receive a broad range of specimens from within the Trust, General Practitioners and as a specialist referral centre handle cases regionally, nationally and from overseas; we provide an excellent opportunity to gain experience with a wide range of specimens and repertoire of tests. We work closely with genomics services, accommodating the increasing complexity of integrated pathology and molecular diagnostics.
The laboratory is divided into a Specimen Reception, Slide Production, Immunohistochemistry (IHC), Muscle & Nerve, Electron Microscopy, Neuropathology, Cytology, Genomics preparation, Mohs and research facility NovoPath. We have established Advanced Practitioner roles undertaking specimen dissection with some undertaking RCPath reporting qualifications for BMSs.
The laboratory is open Monday Friday, 7am 6pm, flexibility is encouraged to support the staff and the service. As a major Transplant Centre, we also provide an out of hours on-call service that is voluntary to join.
- The department of Cellular Pathology is made up of Histology, Cytology, Neuropathology, Research and Mortuary Services. The post holder will rotate between sections and participate as part of a team, in providing Cellular Pathology service to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners, other Trusts and other users of the service.
- Procedures will be carried out without supervision under the guidance of a Senior Biomedical Scientist.
- To work as part of a team in the receipt of Cellular Pathology specimens, assisting in specimen dissection and preparing samples for processing, recording details on the laboratory information system, storage and eventual disposal of residual tissue.
- To undertake cryotomy on intraoperative tissue samples (frozen sections) and produce high quality sections in a timely and efficient manner.
- To carry out a wide range of laboratory procedures, e.g. taking X-rays of breast and bone samples, programming tissue processors, orientating and embedding tissue samples, preparing and analysing non-gynaecological cytology preparations, microtomy, tissue staining, immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy, moleculardiagnostic procedures, validate results and use judgement in determining and initiating further procedures that may be required.
- To actively participate in the maintenance and basic trouble shooting of laboratory equipment, report any faults and non-compliances to a senior member of staff and take prompt and appropriate action in response to unexpected situations.
- To participate in Quality Control and correct any minor non-conformities and report any major non-compliant events to a senior member of staff.
- To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for you, colleagues and visitors.
- To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH,Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any noncompliances to a senior member of staff.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent qualification
- IBMS Specialist Diploma (postgraduate) in Cellular Pathology or equivalent level of knowledge
- Current Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Previous experience in a Cellular Pathology laboratory
- Broad knowledge of Cellular Pathology and specialist knowledge of Cellular Pathology including Laboratory Techniques
Desirable
- Basic IT knowledge
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Able to organise and prioritise own work activities
- Communication skills
- Analytical and judgemental skills
- Planning and organisational skills
Desirable
- Keyboard skills
Band 5 Meets All Criteria
Essential
- BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent qualification approved by the IBMS
- Health and Care Professions Council registration (HCPC)
- Knowledge of Cellular Pathology
- Previous laboratory experience as a Trainee Biomedical Scientist/Healthcare Scientist in an NHS Laboratory
- Familiarity with Health & Safety and COSHH
- Participates in CPD
- Keyboard skills
- Able to organise and prioritise own work activities
- Communication
- Planning and organisational skills
- Analytical and judgemental skills
Desirable
- Member of the IBMS
- Computer literacy
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Royal Victoria Infirmary
317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary
NE1 4LP
United Kingdom
Employer's website
This listing was aggregated from publicly-available sources. The employer holds an A-rated sponsor licence at the time of this listing, but sponsorship of this specific role is not guaranteed — the employer's offer and UK Visas and Immigration are the final authority. Details may have changed since our last update — verify with the employer via the Apply link.