Routine Laboratory and Immunocytochemistry Assistant

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

The closing date is 06 May 2025

Job summary

The Cellular Pathology laboratory at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton is looking for a enthusiastic and self motivated laboratory assistant to join our busy team.

The post holder will be responsible for specimen data entry, assisting the medical and scientific staff during specimen dissection and routine machine maintenance. They will also regularly rotate into the Immunocytochemistry and molecular department.

The successful applicant must be conscientious and enthusiastic and able to work well as part of a team and under pressure. Good hand eye coordination, good keyboard skills and attention to detail are essential requirements.

Relevant experience would be an advantage but full training will be provided.

Candidates looking for a Trainee Biomedical Scientist position or a progressional career post need not apply.

Previous applicants need not apply

This is a full time position with working hours of Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for entering specimens onto the laboratory information system and for preparing samples for Cytology/Histology diagnosis. They will be required to assist at specimen dissection and perform routine machine maintenance in the cut up and main lab areas.

The post holder will regularly rotate into the Immunocytochemistry department where they will be responsible for machine maintenance and reagent exchange, removal of waste reagents from the laboratory, data input of Immunocytochemistry requests and the sign out of completed cases.

Whilst working in the Immunocytochemistry department the post holder will be responsible for coordinating the molecular aspect of the service between the department and the Southeast Genomics Laboratory hub

The post holder will also be required to perform the collation, send away and documentation of material to other hospitals and external organisations for second opinion, research, or external reporting.

This position will be based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, working and the post-holder will be held accountable to the HR policies and procedures of UHSx.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programmefor staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate information pack - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Date posted

22 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

279-7123804-APR25

Job locations

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Eastern Road

Brighton

BN2 5BE

Job description

Job responsibilities

Follows standard operating procedures at all times
Participates in data entry for Cellular pathology samples.
Participates in sample preparation
Understand the urgency of requests; prioritising work according to SOPs.
Checks samples before processing for identification, status and suitability for diagnostic investigations, referring to a BMS when necessary.
Prepare specimens, making decisions from a range of options on the type of process to be used e.g. fixation, wet preparations, referral to another area of Pathology if appropriate.
Assist the Consultant Pathologist, Registrar or BMS at the specimen dissection bench, recording details and check specimen details.
Undertake routine maintenance and troubleshooting on complex equipment to ensure correct functioning
Assist in the Immunocytochemistry department, responsible for machine maintenance and reagent exchange
Responsible for coordinating the molecular aspect of the service between the department and the Southeast Genomics Laboratory hub
Perform the collation, send away and documentation of material to otehr hospitals and external organisations

Job description

Job responsibilities

Follows standard operating procedures at all times
Participates in data entry for Cellular pathology samples.
Participates in sample preparation
Understand the urgency of requests; prioritising work according to SOPs.
Checks samples before processing for identification, status and suitability for diagnostic investigations, referring to a BMS when necessary.
Prepare specimens, making decisions from a range of options on the type of process to be used e.g. fixation, wet preparations, referral to another area of Pathology if appropriate.
Assist the Consultant Pathologist, Registrar or BMS at the specimen dissection bench, recording details and check specimen details.
Undertake routine maintenance and troubleshooting on complex equipment to ensure correct functioning
Assist in the Immunocytochemistry department, responsible for machine maintenance and reagent exchange
Responsible for coordinating the molecular aspect of the service between the department and the Southeast Genomics Laboratory hub
Perform the collation, send away and documentation of material to otehr hospitals and external organisations

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE grade c or above in English and maths

Desirable

NVQ3 or equivalent

Experience

Essential

Evidence within the application of the transferable skills they can bring to the role
Evidence of robust IT skills such as data inputting, Word, Excel,

Desirable

Previous pathology laboratory experience
Previous experience of working in an NHS environment

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE grade c or above in English and maths

Desirable

NVQ3 or equivalent

Experience

Essential

Evidence within the application of the transferable skills they can bring to the role
Evidence of robust IT skills such as data inputting, Word, Excel,

Desirable

Previous pathology laboratory experience
Previous experience of working in an NHS environment

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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.