Job summary

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest integrated care providers in England, serving a population of around 600,000 people. We are a high performing organisation with a track record of success.

Our Cellular Pathology department has a fixed term vacancy for an Expert Practitioner in Histology for a 6 month period.

The post holder will be recognised as an expert practitioner in their field, and as such autonomous and independent expert level histological dissection and pre-screening of histology slides will comprise the most significant part of their role.

Providing expert teaching, training and supervision of Advanced Practitioner Biomedical Scientists in appropriate dissection techniques to an advanced level is a key part of this post.

The post holder would be expected to work closely with consultants and Advanced Practice BMS staff within the Trust, promoting and maintaining the high quality of these services. The appointee will be based at the laboratory of the University Hospital of North Durham (UHND) where the Histology Department concentrates provision of the service (but supports other sites within the Trust, particularly at Darlington).

Main duties of the job

The post holder will assist Pathologists in complex specimen dissection and the pre-screening of histology slides, working at an expert level and ensuring we deliver a high quality service.

Working effectively with Pathologists to deliver activity in support of their own clinical roles both independantly and also under their direction as needed is key to this role.

The post holder will be expected to work at pace under own initiative referring to standard operating procedures and following these closely to deliver consistent high quality work.

After consultation with pathologists and Cellular Pathology Management Team they will develop and improve techniques and methods in dissection.

They will provide expert training and supervision of Advanced Practitioner Biomedical Scientists in appropriate dissection techniques to an advanced level.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

To be eligible for Health and Care Worker visa sponsorship you will usually need to be paid at least �25,600 per year

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

At County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust our aim is to always deliver excellent care with compassion to deliver the highest quality of care our patients deserve. We value the personal skills, experiences and qualities that individuals bring to the Trust; creating an inclusive working environment to attract talented people who feel motivated, involved and able to influence the future direction of our services.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Histopathology department is based at University Hospital of North Durham with core hours Monday to Friday.

Fixed term vacancy for an Expert Practitioner in Histology for a 6 month period.

Key dimensions of role:

The post holder will be expected to dissect, describe and select appropriate areas for microscopic examination for both simple and complex specimens (as defined by category).

An Expert Practitioner is part of a clinical support team whose purpose is to provide timely and accurate high quality scientific information that will assist service users from the hospital and community, in the establishment of a clinical diagnosis and monitoring of patient treatment. They will apply highly specialised professional judgement, scientific knowledge and practical skills to complex problem solving and Quality control issues and ensure that corrective actions are instigated in the event of non-compliance.

Responsible for taking part in the histological dissection training (Category B, C and D), delivering training and supervision of technical staff, including advanced level training of Advanced Practitioner Biomedical Scientists

Work under own initiative referring to standard operating procedures and amending as required after consultation with pathologist and Cellular Pathology Management Team.

Working with medical staff to develop and improve techniques in dissection

Attaining appropriate knowledge, skills and qualifications in relation to an expert practitioner role.

To be responsible in consultation with the Lead Pathologist and the Laboratory Manager for the strategic direction of the service with regards to specimen dissection ensuring the service is developed in line with the national and local policy.

Liaising with colleagues external to the department to improve services, e.g. Bowel Cancer Screening Nurses.

Contribute in consultation with the Lead Pathologist for histology audits as required to demonstrate the quality of the histology service.

Complete independent pre-screening of histology slides as directed by the consultant pathologists.

The post holder will use highly specialised knowledge to advise service users on laboratory protocols and convey information in a concise and clear manner that will be of help to service users in formulating patient care plans and management.

The Expert Practitioner will advise service users of the suitability of methods of fixation and preparation and will work to ensure timely delivery of fully completed requests.

Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Expert practitioner in their field, able to complete autonomous and independent expert level histological dissection and pre-screening of histology slides will comprise the most significant part of their role.
• Advanced knowledge of laboratory techniques and Biomedical science
• Good working knowledge of Pathology IT systems
• Good working knowledge of macroscopic imaging systems
• Excellent ability to correlate complex clinical information
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and safety measures
• Understanding of UKAS and ISO15819 accreditation
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure with strong analytical and organisational skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Excellent manual dexterity for procedures where precision is required
• Good computer and keyboard skills
• IT literate in all modules in Microsoft Office
• Able to give and receive feedback to individuals
• Able to work unsupervised
• Evidence of effective team building skills
• Ability to multitask
• Resilient when under pressure

Desirable

• Advanced working knowledge of Pathology IT systems.
• Management knowledge
• Able to work a flexible working pattern if required
• Experience of teaching and mentoring BMS staff, ideally evidence of providing teaching, training and supervision in appropriate dissection techniques to an advanced level.

Special Requirements

Essential

• The post holder will be recognised as a expert or specialist in the field of advanced histological dissection
• Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience of Histology slide prescreening and expert level dissection working independently. Substantial post registration experience at Senior level with extensive depth of specialist knowledge
• Broad experience of all the main sections of a Histology Department
• Experience of using instrumentation and specialised techniques within the department
• Extensive experience of specimen dissection
• Practical experience of acting in a supervisory role
• Practical experience in training, mentoring and staff development

Desirable

• Clinical or Laboratory experience at the level of advanced practice.
• Management experience
• Problem Solving

Qualifications

Essential

• IBMS accredited degree
• plus FIBMS, Masters degree or equivalent experience
• IBMS Diploma in Expert Practice in Histological Dissection
• OR
• Experience and medical qualifications in clinical histology (e.g. as a Histopathologist) equivalent to this, demonstrating evidence of skills and knowledge consummate with this level of expertise and registration.
• Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD)

Desirable

• Supervisory or management qualification
• Registered as a Chartered Scientist
• Advanced Specialist Diploma in Specimen Dissection
• Equivalent elements through a medical route

Statutory Registration

Essential

• HCPC Registration
• OR
• GMC Registration
• OR
• Experience and medical qualifications in clinical histology (e.g. Histopathologist) equivalent to this.

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

C9439-23-0244