Assistant Technical Officer - Cellular Pathology

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

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Job summary

Our Cellular Pathology team is happy to welcome an Assistant Technical Officer passionate about science while enjoying working in a state-of-the-art laboratory at Peterborough City Hospital.

As an Assistant Technical Officer, you will thrive in a diverse and supportive environment which offers you the support needed in carrying out your daily duties and responsibilities. Our department is staffed by friendly, highly motivated, and professional biomedical scientists and support workers, dealing with approximately one million samples per year.

With us, you will have the opportunity to rotate and experience all areas of the Cellular Pathology department completing tasks such as receiving and booking in specimens, assisting technical and clinical staff in the selection of sample material for pathological assessment, tissue processing and embedding, storage, cataloguing, filing and disposal of archival material, as well as maintaining of laboratory equipment according to established procedures.

We are passionate about science and innovation, and we are committed to offer you all opportunities for career progression. You will be highly motivated with good attention to detail and able to work well in a busy team environment.

By joining our team, you will also join the laboratory rota. The core hours are 8.30am-5pm, including participation in early shift 7.30am-4pm, with potential for adjustments to include a late shift (9.30am-6pm) and/or Saturday working should the service require.

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible for receipt of histology and diagnostic cytology specimens and involved in the preparation of samples under the guidance of biomedical scientists.

Using your experience, you will work with the team to improve working practices. You will monitor equipment function and maintenance and advise senior staff of any problems.

Data entry is vital to your role. You will use your attention to detail when inputting patient and specimen details provided by the team on to the live laboratory information system (LIMS), as well as procedural data on the live system. You will use databases and software to produce documents and work lists.

You will have a duty to maintain the health, safety and welfare of self, employees, patients or other third parties visiting the department or general areas of the Trust as well as informing the line manager of any Health and Safety concerns identified.

You will ensure confidentiality and conformity with the requirements of the Data Protection Act, in collaboration with the Caldecott Guardian, Data Protection Officer and the Security of Information Officer.

About us

We are dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusivity within our workforce and warmly welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, with a particular emphasis on encouraging those from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, as well as candidates from our local area.

As part of our commitment to supporting our employees we offer a range of benefits including:

Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 27 days and increasing to 29 days after five years of service and 33 days after 10 years of service, in addition to the national Bank Holidays (pro-rata for part time staff);
Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme;
Flexible working opportunities;
Enhanced hourly rates for unsociable hours e.g. night shifts, weekends, bank holidays;
Opportunities for career development and training to help you progress in your role;
Wellbeing support and activities to promote a healthy work environment;
Access to our in-house physiotherapy service;
On-site canteens offering subsidised meals;
Subsidised staff parking (currently free);
Free Stagecoach Bus Travel to and from work within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

We strive to create a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees feel valued and empowered to excel in their roles. Join us and become part of a team dedicated to making a positive difference in our community.

Date posted

10 December 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

176-F-6843282

Job locations

Peterborough City Hospital

Bretton Gate

Peterborough

PE3 9GZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main responsibilities:

To carry out routine laboratory tasks and assist in all sections in the Cellular Pathology Department on a rotational basis according to departmental protocols.
To work closely with senior staff to deliver a quality driven, cost effective and customer focussed service.

Please see Job Description for further information.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main responsibilities:

To carry out routine laboratory tasks and assist in all sections in the Cellular Pathology Department on a rotational basis according to departmental protocols.
To work closely with senior staff to deliver a quality driven, cost effective and customer focussed service.

Please see Job Description for further information.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

5 GCSE or equivalent

Desirable

NVQ 3 in laboratory /science discipline or equivalent

Experience

Essential

Experience of data entry

Desirable

Previous experience of working in a laboratory
Previous experience of working in an NHS setting

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge/understanding of the Data Protection Act
Knowledge/understanding of Health and Safety in the workplace
Understanding of histology and its function
Understanding of cytology and its function
Understanding of COSHH regulations

Skills

Essential

Ability to maintain prolonged concentration and work accurately with attention to detail
Ability to communicate at all levels
Self-motivated and able to work within a team culture
Able to comply with policies and procedures
Physically able to perform all tasks of the role including manual handling of bulk reagents for equipment and stock maintenance with suitable equipment where necessary
Competent in the use of MS Office applications e.g. Outlook. Excel, Word

Desirable

Understanding of medical terminology

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

5 GCSE or equivalent

Desirable

NVQ 3 in laboratory /science discipline or equivalent

Experience

Essential

Experience of data entry

Desirable

Previous experience of working in a laboratory
Previous experience of working in an NHS setting

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge/understanding of the Data Protection Act
Knowledge/understanding of Health and Safety in the workplace
Understanding of histology and its function
Understanding of cytology and its function
Understanding of COSHH regulations

Skills

Essential

Ability to maintain prolonged concentration and work accurately with attention to detail
Ability to communicate at all levels
Self-motivated and able to work within a team culture
Able to comply with policies and procedures
Physically able to perform all tasks of the role including manual handling of bulk reagents for equipment and stock maintenance with suitable equipment where necessary
Competent in the use of MS Office applications e.g. Outlook. Excel, Word

Desirable

Understanding of medical terminology

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).

Additional information