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Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Tissue Co-ordinator - Cellular Pathology

The closing date is 13 January 2026

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Job summary

Expected Shortlisting Date

05/01/2026

Planned Interview Date

12/01/2026

A unique opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, proactive, motivated and passionate individual to join the team as part of the Cellular Pathology Genomics Centre (CPGC) working as a Tissue Co-Ordinator.

The post holder will contribute to the direct and indirect delivery of molecular testing and whole-genome sequencing service across the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT) region.

They will play a key role in the delivery of the requesting and reporting workflows for molecular testing within the region through a range of routine tasks in supporting biomedical, scientific, administrative and medical staff.

It is essential that the post holder has excellent IT skills and experience in data handling in order to organise relevant documentation.

Experience of working in a complex healthcare work environment is desirable. The post holder must possess excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of stakeholders at all levels and a flexible and pro-active approach.

An innovative department, we were the first laboratory in the UK digitally scanning all surgical slides and the first to introduce automated tissue sectioners to the UK.

Expected interview date(s): 12th/13th January 2026

Main duties of the job

The post holder will contribute to the direct and indirect delivery of molecular testing and whole-genome sequencing service across the WYAAT region. As part of the CPGC at Leeds, they will play a key role in the delivery of the requesting and reporting workflows for molecular testing within the region through a range of routine tasks in supporting biomedical, scientific, administrative and medical staff. The responsibilities encompass ensuring patient identification, eligibility, maintaining documentation, and the generation of high-quality data in line with NHS England GLH requirements and as outlined in the NHSE National Genomic Test Directory. This necessitates the completion of paperwork and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure appropriate, timely, and accurate testing via the GLH lab and within cellular pathology.

Furthermore, the post holder will coordinate across centres within the region to ensure the provision of appropriate samples. The duties also include transcribing genomics reports into integrated reports for clinical sign-out by Consultant Histopathologists and also educating secretarial colleagues in doing the same.

The postholder will also be responsible for undertaking macrodissection of tumour-rich areas identified and marked by a pathologist/advanced practitioner on glass slides to support downstream molecular analysis

About us

The department provides Histopathology, Andrology, Immunohistochemistry, Muscle, Molecular, Non Gynae Cytology and mortuary services for Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and surrounding primary care centres. We are a well equipped and innovative department being the first laboratory in the UK digitally scanning 100% of surgical slides, also introducing the UK's first automated tissue sectioners. We process circa 58,000 surgical cases, 2,000 autopsy cases and 6000 non-gynaecological cytology cases per annum. We are a continually improving department, striving for high quality staff and processes. As a training hospital we serve to expand the knowledge and skills of all staff. There are plenty of opportunities to become involved, and further development is encouraged. We have UKAS accreditation to ISO15189 standards. We endeavour to follow 'The Leeds Way' at all times putting the patient first at all times.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Date posted

23 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9298-PATH-493

Job locations

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Job description

Job responsibilities

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform appropriate procedures and tasks consistent with the job holders levels of knowledge, skills and experience. These tasks may vary from day to day but examples would include-

To direct secretarial staff and if required help with secretarial duties including booking in of cases, test ordering, and transcription of results for molecular testing at the CPGC

To undertake macrodissection of tumour-rich areas identified and marked by a pathologist/advanced practitioner on glass slides, following established laboratory protocols and quality standards, to support downstream molecular analysis.

Develop proficiency in the use of cellular pathology and GLH lab information systems and quality management systems.

Participate in the quality agenda and compliance monitoring of the CPGC service including (but not limited to): Datix reporting & basic immediate investigation of issues, contributing to quality documents updates & SOPs.

Coordinate and collaborate with regional WYAAT cellular pathology departments to ensure timely transfer of appropriate samples to the GLH and take proactive measures to ensure that agreed turnaround times are met.

Attend and actively participate in monthly CPGC/Solid Malignancy Diagnostic Services (SMDS) management meetings and multidisciplinary team meetings, including preparing agendas and recording minutes.

Develop and implement SOPs for the CPGC, providing support to laboratory and secretarial staff across WYAAT. Regularly review and update SOPs, and conduct relevant audits.

Assist the CPGC leadership team in planning and organizing training sessions for staff as needed.

Collaborate with the WGS nursing lead and multidisciplinary teams to ensure proper routing of fresh tissue and blood samples.

Maintain effective communication with relevant staff members.

Ensure accurate record-keeping in compliance with requirements from UKAS and RCPath.

Utilize approved data collection templates and systems to accurately input all necessary information in accordance with the CPGC operational plan.

Contribute to monitoring and reporting KPIs and other metrics, conducting periodic audits, and providing input into monthly CPGC/GLH Quality meetings.

Ensure adherence to health and safety policies, promptly reporting any incidents.

Professional Development and Education. Attend relevant study sessions related to Genomic Medicine and GLH at an appropriate level.

Complete Trust annual mandatory training programs.

Maintain own competence in established procedures and participate in relevant training where required.

Support waste reduction and continuous improvement initiatives for designated area.

Support collaborative team working across all sections.

Participates in the collation of service user/stakeholder feedback.

Supports with documentation and SOPs when evaluating and verifying new methods/instruments/tests.

Supports with identification of service improvement opportunities and implementation of improvement actions.

Assists in the delivery of continuous improvement/development plans for specialist area.

CORE BEHAVIORS AND SKILLS

The behaviours and skills required to perform effectively in the particular role include:

Good interpersonal skills.

Supportive of communal tasks.

Sympathetic to the needs of others.

Hard-working and flexible in time management.

Attention to detail.

Able to fulfil all Occupational Health and Health and Safety requirements of the role.

CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Understanding of team working within a clinical laboratory.

Understanding of relevant health and safety issues.

Knowledge of biological sciences at a basic level is required. This includes knowledge of cell biology, biochemistry, and some knowledge of disease processes.

Possess prior laboratory experience in clinical record data handling and database management.

Use of basic IT packages including Microsoft Excel.

Familiarity with archival clinical tissue handling and clinical metadata collection is advantageous.

A background in biological sciences (HNC or equivalent) is desirable.

COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

This post is an important component of the operational plan to successfully deliver our KPIs as set by NHSE within the Service Specification for CPGCs and GLHs.

Effective communication, alongside robust organization, will facilitate delivery; the successful applicant will be supported in delivering an agreed communication plan across the region.

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS

(i)PHYSICAL EFFORT:

The components of this post are varied and require flexibility and effective organization to work across the region as required.

Time at a computer screen is integral, and good practice health and safety principles will apply.

No heavy lifting or exposure to environmental hazards is required for this post.

Standard hospital infection prevention and control measures apply regarding human tissue handling and transportation.

(ii) MENTAL EFFORT:

Attention to detail in both clinical and project data collated is crucial.

Competing demands may occur and require active decision making and prioritization, which may be stressful.

The project supported by this post requires the introduction of additional practices to that of standard of care and therefore influencing and problem-solving, alongside education and support may be challenging.