Associate Practitioner - ICC Histopathology

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

Liaises with:

Medical, scientific and clerical staff in the directorate. Other hospital staff and staff from other hospitals/primary care.

To participate in the activities of the department. Primarily providing the technical support of the diagnostic service to the Trust and other users, in accordance with departmental protocols and under appropriate supervision.

KEY TASKS

1. Services - Technical procedures

2. People - Health and Safety, appraisal

3. Information - Information technology, meetings

4. Professional -Training/development

5. Equipment

Key responsibilities

1.1 To participate in the routine work of the main histology laboratory in accordance with departmental protocols.

Receive specimens into the department ensuring correct patient identification and accessioning.

Assist the pathologist and BMS staff during cut-up

Store specimens safely and appropriately prior to and after processing.

To embed processed surgical and post mortem material ensuring correct orientation.

Microtomy - simple sectioning of large blocks, sectioning levels from biopsy material, serial sectioning of material and macroscopic quality control of sections produced.

Haematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) staining manual and automated methodologies

Initial quality control checks

Preparation of staining solutions and reagents

Safe disposal of a range of hazardous and non-hazardous laboratory waste i.e. paper, chemicals, glass, human tissues

To take delivery of consumables as required

To safely store and monitor levels of consumables reporting low stocks to senior members of staff

1.2 To participate in some of the specialised areas of the department when required

Special staining techniques including primary quality control of stains.

Freezing of material for frozen sections, immunofluorescence and lipid stains

Cryotomy

Immunofluorescence techniques.

Preparation of non-gynaecological fresh samples

1.3 To participate in flexible working arrangements

1.4 Undertake tasks required for CPA accreditation e.g.: reviewing SOPs.

2.1 All employees have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injury to themselves or to others and to co-operate with the Trust in meeting its statutory requirements.

2.2 To handle chemicals and biological material in accordance with COSHH regulations and departmental protocols.

2.3 In accordance with departmental protocols deal with chemical and biological spillages.

2.4 To participate in the departments appraisal scheme

2.5 To behave at all times with courtesy and consideration to colleagues and service users, regardless of hierarchical or professional position within the organisation.

3.1 All staff are expected to have or to gain a minimum of basic level IT skills to enable them to use the Trust IT systems to support Trust services and needs. All staff should be familiar with relevant IT systems and security policies and procedures

3.2 All staff are personally responsible for record keeping. A record is anything that contains information in any medium e.g. paper, tapes, computer information, etc. which have been created or gathered as a result of any NHS activity. All individuals within the Trust are responsible for any records they create or use. Please ensure that records are retained in accordance with the Records Management Policy and are stored in a manner that allows them to be easily located in the event of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. All staff must ensure complete and accurate data is collected to the highest standard at all times. Data collection should be supported by adequate documentation and processes should be regularly reviewed. Staff should ensure that processes conform to national standards and are fit for purpose. All staff should comply with the Information Quality Policy.

3.3 Confidentiality/Data Protection regarding all personal information and Trust activity must be maintained at all times (both in and out of working hours). All staff should ensure that they are familiar with and adhere to all Trust privacy, confidentiality and security policies and procedures. Any breach of confidentiality will be taken seriously and appropriate disciplinary action taken.

3.4 In accordance with Freedom of Information and other associated legislation, the Trust may be required to make public recorded information available upon a request, or do this as part of a publication scheme. Please note, that in your public role, your name or job role may be contained in a document that is published in accordance with such legislation

3.5 Use on a daily basis the departmental computer system (Telepath)

To record information regarding the patient or the processing of the specimen.

To ascertain the status/progress of a specimen

3.6 Make use of IT developments in the department e.g Digital dictation system in cut-up.

3.7 Process enquiries appropriately referring enquiries to the appropriate personnel when required

3.8 To attend and participate in Trust and departmental meetings

4.1 To be proactive in own professional development

4.2 To assist in the training of all groups of staff and to acquaint new staff with local practices.

Daily maintenance and use of equipment such as safety cabinets, tissue processors, embedding centres, coverslipper, slide stainer and writer, microtomes and cryostats.

Disinfection of cut up and specimen reception areas.

Disinfection of equipment such as cryostats and centrifuges following contamination.

* The post holder shall as necessary provide cover for and undertake duties of absent colleagues.

* The post holder shall follow all the policies and procedures of the organisation.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• A levels/BTEC or equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable previous experience of working in a laboratory

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in a clinical setting

Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrate an understanding of patient confidentiality

Desirable

• Show an awareness of H&S requirements
• Should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the post applied for

Skills

Essential

• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work
• Good organisational skills
• Good verbal communication skills

Desirable

• Computer literate

Other

Essential

• Manual dexterity

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Liverpool Clinical Laboratories

Liverpool

L7 8XP

Employer's website

https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)