Job summary

Applications are invited from enthusiastic individuals with a proven background of working in a Cellular Pathology environment, with the associatededucation and competency, to join this friendly, well-equipped Cellular Pathology department. The laboratory processes approximately 30,000 samples per year, providing essential services to the population of Hywel Dda University Health Board.

The post holder will work alongside the wider Cellular Pathology team to fulfil the daily operational requirements of this busy department. The central Histology laboratory service is situated on the Glangwili Hospital site in Carmarthen with a small satellite team based at Prince Philip Hospital Llanelli. This role will require the occasional working between sites.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain close working relationships with all grades of staff, both scientific and medical to ensure the effective delivery of the service. The post holder will also participate in a laboratory-based training program for all relevant staff and will be involved with the continuous competency assessment of the team members. We are committed to continued professional and career development of all our staff.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post, English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to

Main duties of the job

Receipt of specimens ensuring that they meet quality standards of identification and preservation as defined in Standard operation procedures. This includes sorting, labelling and computer data entry, cataloguing and storing paraffin wax blocks and microscope slides. Routine and urgent fixation, processing and presentation of specimens for reporting by a Consultant Pathologist.

Undertake specialist demonstration and processing techniques to include specialised staining techniques, frozen sections.

To rotate to the IHC laboratory and undertake manual and automated immunology techniques including immunohistochemistry, for tumour identification/typing.

Undertake dissection of tissue as instructed by consultant pathologist.

Participate in external quality control schemes.

Function with enhanced responsibility, working alone as required. To have the experience, skills and knowledge to be able to competently operate independently and perform emergency frozen sections for urgent diagnosis.

To perform computer data entry and retrieval of information including precise patient matching to ensure the accuracy of permanently stored patient records.

To record all test results and workload data onto the Laboratory Information Management System.

To carry out preliminary maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, keeping complex equipment in optimal condition.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and its bordering counties. Our 12,000 members of staff provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services to almost 400,000 people across a quarter of the landmass of Wales. We do this in partnership with our three local authorities and public, private and third sector colleagues, including our volunteers, through:

Four main hospitals: Bronglais General in Aberystwyth, Glangwili General in Carmarthen, Prince Philip in Llanelli and Withybush General in Haverfordwest.

Five community hospitals: Amman Valley Hospital and Llandovery Hospital in Carmarthenshire, Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire Hospital Health and Social Care Resource Centre in Pembrokeshire.

Two integrated care centres (Aberaeron and Cardigan, Ceredigion).

Community facilities, including:

48 General Practices (GP surgeries), 49 Dental Practices, 98 Community Pharmacies (chemists), 44 General Ophthalmic Practices (including eye health and low vision services), 38 sites providing mental health and learning disability services, care within your own homes

Highly specialised and tertiary services commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, a joint committee representing seven health boards across Wales.

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 24/1/2025

Person Specification

Qualifications & Knowledge

Essential

BSc. (Hons) Degree Life Science/Biomedical Science. HCPC Registration IBMS Specialist Diploma, or equivalent level of knowledge acquired through training and practical experience. Knowledge of medical laboratory sciences and techniques commensurate with a HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist. Knowledge of UKAS accreditation and quality management requirements. Knowledge of BSQR (2005), HTA and ISO 15189:2012, as applicable to the relevant discipline of work Documented evidence of on-going participation in CPD

Desirable

Knowledge of hospital specialities. Medical laboratory knowledge in more than one pathology discipline

Experience

Essential

Clinical laboratory experience, commensurate with an experienced, HCPC Registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Other

Essential

Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner, as required (if appropriate) Flexible approach to needs of the service. Participate in shifts rota, including out of hours

Language Skills

Desirable

Welsh Speaker (level 1)