Job summary
Applications are invited from suitably demonstrable experienced candidates to join our busy team within the Department of Histology based at Derriford Hospital Plymouth.The laboratory is well equipped and handles over 40,000 requests per annum.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, highly adaptable person who is a good team player and communicator and has the ability to liaise effectively with colleagues and service users.
Derriford is a Cancer Care Centre and the largest teaching hospital within the southwest peninsula and offers excellent onsite facilities including a modern library, teaching, meeting and video-conferencing facilities. It has strong links with Plymouth University and the Peninsula school of Medicine and Dentistry.
The Department of Cellular and Anatomical Pathology is at provider of Histological and cytological services in the Southwest, serving a population of approximately 450,000.
Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work together with the senior staff in Cellular and Anatomical Pathology to produce a timely, high quality, accurate and cost-effective service.
A keen interest and knowledge in the Molecular part of the service would be advantageous.
The post holder will assist in the timely processing of tissue and other biological specimens submitted for examination, typically 40,000 per annum.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.
As part of the future plans of the Pathology service and in order to deliver on current workload demands, there may be an ask to work evenings and weekends.
If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100.
We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To assist the Biomedical Scientists (BMS) in the preparation and processing of tissue specimens submitted for histological and non-gynaecological cytology examination.
- To manipulate small pieces of tissue and embed them into wax using your knowledge and skill acquired during training, to ensure they are orientated correctly.
- Prioritise and separate urgent and other clinically indicated samples for immediate action.
- Undertake specimen preparation and cut-up duties
- Preparation of slides and samples in both Histology and Non-Gynaecological Cytology for microscopic examination. Undertake staining procedures of a routine nature.
- Utilising a microtome, cut sections using the high level skills acquired during training to produce sections that are artefact free and of the necessary quality. Cut levels from blocks of small biopsy material.
- Assist in the maintenance and running of any laboratory equipment as directed. This will include maintaining cleanliness to the necessary standard, discarding waste chemical solutions, replenishment of fresh solutions and use of the instruments.
- To become familiar with any laboratory instrumentation used in your day-to-day activity and resolve first line problems.
- To participate in the entry of data into the laboratory computer system during the various stages of tissue processing.
- To extract slides, reports and all necessary items for the multiple clinical and non-clinical meetings.
- To participate in the despatch of specimens and material to other centres.
- To participate it the collection, receipt, safe storage and disposal of reagents and other supplies.
- To make up solutions and collect chemicals from the various stores as required.
- Participate in the maintenance of the safe storage of, slides, blocks and diagnostic samples.
- To assist in the maintenance and compilation of workload statistics.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To assist the Biomedical Scientists (BMS) in the preparation and processing of tissue specimens submitted for histological and non-gynaecological cytology examination.
- To manipulate small pieces of tissue and embed them into wax using your knowledge and skill acquired during training, to ensure they are orientated correctly.
- Prioritise and separate urgent and other clinically indicated samples for immediate action.
- Undertake specimen preparation and cut-up duties
- Preparation of slides and samples in both Histology and Non-Gynaecological Cytology for microscopic examination. Undertake staining procedures of a routine nature.
- Utilising a microtome, cut sections using the high level skills acquired during training to produce sections that are artefact free and of the necessary quality. Cut levels from blocks of small biopsy material.
- Assist in the maintenance and running of any laboratory equipment as directed. This will include maintaining cleanliness to the necessary standard, discarding waste chemical solutions, replenishment of fresh solutions and use of the instruments.
- To become familiar with any laboratory instrumentation used in your day-to-day activity and resolve first line problems.
- To participate in the entry of data into the laboratory computer system during the various stages of tissue processing.
- To extract slides, reports and all necessary items for the multiple clinical and non-clinical meetings.
- To participate in the despatch of specimens and material to other centres.
- To participate it the collection, receipt, safe storage and disposal of reagents and other supplies.
- To make up solutions and collect chemicals from the various stores as required.
- Participate in the maintenance of the safe storage of, slides, blocks and diagnostic samples.
- To assist in the maintenance and compilation of workload statistics.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience and competency of a wide range of histological procedures
- Familiar with medical terminology utilised during specimen dissection
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 3 or equivalent science based qualification or demonstrable proven knowledge of a wide range of histological procedures
Desirable
- Biological science degree
Aptitude & Attitude
Essential
- Good communication skills, staff at all levels of the organisation with tact and diplomacy
- Effectively organise and prioritise own work
- Good manual dexterity skills for manipulation of specimens at all stages of the histological process
- Ability to resolve problems
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience and competency of a wide range of histological procedures
- Familiar with medical terminology utilised during specimen dissection
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 3 or equivalent science based qualification or demonstrable proven knowledge of a wide range of histological procedures
Desirable
- Biological science degree
Aptitude & Attitude
Essential
- Good communication skills, staff at all levels of the organisation with tact and diplomacy
- Effectively organise and prioritise own work
- Good manual dexterity skills for manipulation of specimens at all stages of the histological process
- Ability to resolve problems
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
