Senior Biomedical Scientist

Work Environment:

• Full time Laboratory Based; Kidlington, Oxford, UK.
• Travel may be very rarely required, on an ad hoc basis.

Shift Work

• 8.5 hour shift rota basis (inclusive of lunch)
• Weekly Shift Times scheduled each week on a rota & communicated by your Line Manager
• If you require flexible start / end times please advise & we're open to discussing.

This is not a standard lab role. Ours is not a standard Histopathology Lab.

• Working for Diagnexia means taking a step into a forward-thinking, digitally-driven Histopathology laboratory, at the forefront of diagnostic innovation.
• At the heart of our Digitally driven laboratory is a passionate team dedicated to advancing healthcare.
• For you this means working alongside open, skilled colleagues who inspire growth and learning every day.
• We'll provide unmatched opportunities for personal and professional career development.

If you have taken your BMS expertise as far as your current environment allows, this is your next move.

Role Summary

• As a Senior Biomedical Scientist at Diagnexia, you will play a pivotal role in spearheading our fully digitised histopathology laboratory, establishing yourself as a beacon of technical expertise.
• Your responsibilities will not only encompass the preparation of samples but will also delve into advanced techniques and methodologies, ensuring the highest standards of accuracy and precision.
• You will also have responsibility for staff supervision, competency assessment, quality lead functions, and contribution to audit and accreditation activity.

Responsibilities:

Key tasks:

• Take responsibility for the Routine section (main lab) ensuring delivery of a high quality service that meets clinical needs.
• Assisting with overseeing technical and scientific operations of work carried out in the main Laboratory
• Rotate across all laboratory sections as required - carry out dissection and support other sections in the laboratory such as IHC/Specials
• Provide specialist advice to service users
• Supervise the performance of more junior staff within the laboratory to ensure timely delivery of laboratory targets
• Support and maintain the standard operating procedures for use within the laboratory in accordance with relevant regulatory standards
• Develop and maintain competency training documents for use within the laboratory in accordance with relevant regulatory standards
• Perform and evaluate staff training and competencies, and facilitate CPD for staff
• Ensure training and development and maintain expertise at the forefront of all areas of histopathology (both practical and theoretical)
• Participate in staff interviews, selection process and appraisals if required.
• Contribute to the laboratory quality management system and work with the quality manager and laboratory director/manager to ensure all staff within the Laboratory are working in accordance with relevant quality and laboratory protocols
• Develop and present reports at relevant meetings
• Facilitate and/or chair laboratory section or departmental meetings
• Ensure all activities within the laboratory sections are carried out in line with relevant laboratory code of practice, laboratory protocols including CoSHH/Quality/UKAS requirements etc.

Sample Collection and Handling:

• Collect and receive biological samples, while ensuring proper labelling and storage.
• Maintain accurate records of sample collection, transportation, and storage conditions.
• Competently handle all steps of the specimen workflow including but not limited to;
  Accessioning, grossing, processing, embedding, microtomy, staining and digitisation of cases as required.

Quality Control and Quality assurance:

• Quality Lead - take the lead on all quality related matters in the lab e.g. EQA, audits
• Adhere to quality control measures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of test results.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues here required, to maintain the integrity of the testing process.
• Adhere to UKAS standards and participate in internal and external quality assurance programs and audits.
• Follow up on any issues including escalation to the laboratory and/or quality manager as required.

Method Development and Validation:

• Develop and validate new laboratory methods and procedures as needed, following industry best practices and standards in accordance with UKAS 15189:2022 and NEQAS.

Research and Development:

• Engage in research activities to develop and improve advanced tissue labelling techniques, including digitisation and analysis.

Safety and Compliance:

• Adhere to strict safety protocols to protect both laboratory personnel and patients.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory guidelines, including GDPR and UKAS

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of all testing activities, including sample tracking, procedures, and results.
• Generate clear and concise reports for clients, clinical trials managers, pathologists, data scientists, and other stakeholders.

Patient and Data Privacy:

• Maintain strict confidentiality of patient information and laboratory data, adhering to privacy laws and regulations.

Other:

• Collaborate with pathologists, other healthcare professionals and clients to discuss test results and provide meaningful insights.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest advances in the BMS field through ongoing education, training, and professional development.
• Monitor and manage inventory of reagents, supplies, and consumables to ensure uninterrupted testing operations.
• Identify and resolve technical issues or anomalies in test results, and take corrective actions as needed.
• Appropriately deal with unexpected situations, incidents etc. and plan follow-up actions
• Undertake any other duties as required and appropriate to the nature and grade of the post.
• Conduct training required for the role. This may include ISMS, GLP, DocuSign and GDPR awareness.

Required Skills and Experience:

Education

• Currently HCPC registered as a Biomedical Scientist (Mandatory)
• Completed IBMS Higher Specialist Portfolio OR a IBMS accredited Postgraduate/ Masters Degree (Mandatory)
• Minimum of 4 years post-registration experience in a UKAS accredited Histopathology Laboratory
• Proof of CPD and competency

Lab Skills

• Experience working in a UKAS accredited laboratory.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC) desirable not essential)
  
• Experience preparing for UKAS audits
  
• Ability to provide technical and scientific advice as appropriate, and take further actions if test findings are anomalous or unexpected.
• Mentor and supervise members of staff
• Familiarity with and ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment and instruments, including troubleshooting in all laboratory sections.
• Strong data analysis skills, including the ability to use statistical software, data visualisation tools, and databases to interpret and report research or diagnostic findings.
• Knowledge of quality control and quality assurance principles
• The ability to implement and maintain quality control and quality assurance measures in the laboratory.
• Capability to develop, validate, and optimise laboratory methods and procedures.

Digital pathology experience is a bonus, not a barrier. If you are curious and driven, we will build that with you.

What else we look for:

Skill gets you in the room. Will takes you further. We hire people who:

• Own their work: No waiting to be managed. You close the gap between what is assigned and what actually needs doing.
• Execute: You prioritise by impact and do not let perfect block progress.
• Stay curious: Genuinely motivated to improve your craft and the processes around you.
• Communicate with intent : Complex science, clear English, written and spoken, for any audience.
• Adapt: Change is structural here. If you treat setbacks as data rather than verdicts, you will thrive.
• Care: You bring your ambition into alignment with our mission, better faster patient outcomes. Enthusiasm is contagious, and so genuine care & passion.

The above Job Description reflects the requirements of this position at time of issue. As duties and responsibilities change and develop, this will be reviewed and may be subject to amendments.

About us

Diagnexia, a subsidiary of Deciphex: Accelerating Certainty and Pioneering Pathology Services.
We're transforming how pathology works. Since our parent company Deciphex was founded in Dublin in 2017, we've grown into a global team of over 230 professionals with offices across Dublin, Exeter, Oxford and Chicago.

Through our cloud-based platform, hospitals worldwide can instantly connect with our expert pathology subspecialists for rapid case consultations.

At Diagnexia, you'll be part of pioneering digital AI pathology solutions that directly improve patient outcomes and keep healthcare organisations at the cutting edge of diagnostic innovation.

A copy of our privacy policy can be viewed here

Deciphex is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to the principle of equality. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, religious beliefs, political views, gender identity, affectional or sexual orientation,

national origin, family or marital status (including pregnancy), disability, membership of the travelling community or any other classification protected by applicable law.