Medical Laboratory Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.

To process and embed a range of tissue samples and carry out histological demonstration of tissue constituents using a range of specialised techniques.

To liaise with Neuropathologists, users, and other departments within the Trust in relation to the provision of the clinical service.

To work as economically with ones time, equipment and consumables as is practicable to achieve work objectives.

Meticulously maintain the records of work and tests carried out on each sample, either manually or on computer (as required), as it progresses through the laboratory.

Collect specimens from Neuro-theatres reception (on a daily basis) and Central Specimen Reception (as and when required).

Assist the Neuropathologists at surgical and autopsy cut-ups.

Liaise with Neuropathologists and section leads when organising work priorities.

Preserve and process organ and tissue samples using paraffin wax processing.

This involves the exposure to contained, controlled infectious material such as CJD.

Samples may without warning, require urgent collection from theatres and immediate attention. In such cases, current work will have to be re-organised.

Manipulation of sometimes minute and irreplaceable samples requires highly developed skills in hand-eye co-ordination.

Cut very thin sections of processed samples from autopsy cases and control material using a rotary microtome.

This requires highly developed skills in hand-eye co-ordination, frequent repetitive movements and sitting or standing at the workbench for long periods of time.

Carry out a range of tests on tissue constituents using cellular pathology and some specialised techniques.

Maintain stocks of chemicals, solutions and consumables, and clean glassware in the histology laboratory.

Keep the cut-up area clean and tidy, and maintain stocks of chemicals, solutions and consumables in the tissue-processing laboratory.

Maintain tissue block and microscope slide archives.

When required, retrieve microscope slides from the archives and prepare materials for various clinical meetings run by the Department.

To carefully pack and post materials to external departments and to meticulously record and track items sent and received.

To regularly analyse the quality of work with the BMS staff.

To raise with the BMS or Lead BMS any technical and quality issues as they arise

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.

The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.

The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.

Kings College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UKs leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. Kings has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.

Over the last 170 years, Kings has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.

Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability.We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.

Our Bank workers enjoy competitive market rates and flexible contract assignments across all of our sites, dependant on your availability and location.

For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.

All employees are entitled to:

Contributory pension scheme

Generous annual leave entitlement

Ground breaking personal development opportunities

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE grade C/4 or above in Maths, English and Science or equivalent
• Good overall level of education.

Desirable

• IBMS Certificate of Achievement for biomedical science support staff.

Experience

Essential

• Practical experience working in a busy environment.
• Working as part of a team.

Desirable

• Previously worked as a laboratory assistant
• Any time spent working in a medical laboratory.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Good command of spoken and written English
• Ability to accurately follow written procedures
• Ability to focus on repetitive tasks.

Desirable

• Experience of embedding of tissue samples.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Synnovis Analytics

Address

King’s College Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 9RS

Employer's website

http://www.synnovis.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)