Tissue Centre Technician/Biomedical Scientist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Pathology Services:

1. To collect, log and send samples to the relevant pathology service provider (TDL, MicroPathology and assorted others) in accordance with the Pathology standard operating procedures (SOPs) and national guidelines for the for the dispatching of pathology samples.

2. To receive samples from network sites and clinics, log and send them to the relevant provider, returning the labelled Bio-Bottle containers to the originator as required.

3. To safely handle, log and send pathology samples (blood and other body fluid samples, tissue samples and so forth) to the relevant pathology provider.

4. To carefully check the request form and patient samples in accordance with the Request Form and specimen Labelling Policy.

5. To prioritise the workload so that urgent samples are dealt with in a timely manner and to record all urgent requests as required, to follow these up and promptly give results to the requesting clinician.

6. To field and escalate issues raised either via phone, the shared mailbox or physically so that the issue can be resolved to all partys satisfaction.

7. To handle and process returned results, both abnormal and those within expected limits, such that the relevant clinician is aware and able to manage the patient as needed.

8. To provide support to colleagues within the department, as needed.

Moorfields Lions Eye Bank

1. To scrutinise, with colleagues, and action the daily transplant lists, to ensure the correct tissue is in the correct place in advance of surgery.

2. To source and order tissues as required from multiple tissue providers (NHSBT, MiS, RMLEB, NuVision and Wescott Medical) to maintain relevant stocks locally.

3. To undertake appropriate checks on receipt of tissues and ensure the appropriateness of both the tissue and storage conditions.

4. To ensure, with colleagues, that Tissue usage paperwork if completed for each issued tissue and to chase when there are identified gaps.

5. To review and generate reports and audits as needed for providers, both externally with the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and tissue suppliers but also internally with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Graft Outcome Clinics (GOC), amongst others.

6. To provide support to colleagues within the department, as needed.

Department of Eye Pathology

1. To receive, process and handle Cellular Pathology samples and biopsies from national senders and handle them in accordance with local guidelines.

2. To carefully check the request form and patient samples whilst booking the samples in to the departments computer system/database.

3. With appropriate training, to undertake biopsy transfer and cut-up processes, including embedding, with microtomy and staining of patient samples to provide the best possible quality to the reporting pathologist.

4. To support other Biomedical Scientists by undertaking duties which they may request, such as changing the processing machines, refreshing reagents across various analysers, running IQC and retrieving solvents from the bulk store as needed.

5. To be aware of, and up to date with competencies and SOPs such as reflect the work of the department.

6. To undertake filing and other such duties to support colleagues within the department.

Quality & Administrative:

1. To perform established audits and other quality roles within the Tissue Centre under the direction of the Chief Biomedical Scientist.

2. To use all relevant systems, including OpenEyes, PAS, EyePath, and Eye Bank plus Pathology databases to ensure Data Quality - amending where necessary.

3. To upload relevant results to OpenEyes, messaging the requesting clinician so that they are aware, as necessary.

4. To be aware of handling all complex and sensitive information appropriately in accordance with all relevant SOPs and to ensure all results are actioned as necessary.

5. To answer the telephone in a courteous manner and use own initiative to deal with enquiries or take messages to pass on as needed.

6. To assist with the SOPs including their review for safe and secure confidential processing, storage and disposal of patient and other laboratory information in accordance with good work practices as required by the standards of UKAS against ISO15189:2022 and the Human Tissue Authority as needed.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC State registered biomedical scientist or have relevant work experience in Tissue Bank

Desirable

• MSc Biomedical Sciences
• Member of IBMS

Experience

Essential

• Performing quality audits and other established duties using electronic Quality Management Systems.
• Experience with complex human tissue grafts, blood tests and special samples
• Some experience within an acute hospital

Desirable

• Experience of working in an accredited laboratory preferably in a team leader role.
• Working in a good manufacturing practice (GMP) environment

Knowledge

Essential

• Computer skills in clinical settings i.e. LIMS/PAS
• Microsoft Office or similar packages
• Working to defined SOPs and taking part in their review.

Skills/abilities

Essential

• Good verbal and written communication skills with patients and staff in relation to our ophthalmic setting
• Proven ability to work under pressure or demanding schedule to avoid long waiting times
• Able to work under pressure

Personal qualities

Essential

• High levels of motivation as displayed by enthusiasm and commitment.
• Champion change, willing to learn and seek continuous improvement.
• Ability to lead and to work autonomously without direct supervision.
• Good communicator in general

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.

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

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Moorfields Eye Hospital

162 City Road

London

EC1V 2PD

Employer's website

https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)