Job summary
Our Cellular Pathology Department are looking for enthusiastic, motivated Medical Laboratory Assistants to join their team!
The Cellular Pathology Department at Southmead Hospital provide a comprehensive service (Histopathology, Cytopathology and Immunohistochemistry) to the two acute Trusts in Bristol, local GPs and other centres in the south west. The work is varied, covering all specialisms with the exception of Neuropathology.
For this varied and interesting Medical Laboratory Assistant post, you will need to be passionate about working in healthcare, numerate and literate (with a minimum 4 GCSEs including English, Maths and a Science), be able to work as part of a team, be able to demonstrate adaptability and initiative and have good communication and organisational skills. This is not a training position and a degree level of education is not required.
Successful applicants will commence this role at Band 2, after 6 months of service and completion of relevant training and competencies there is the possibility of progression to Band 3.
Please note applicants are required to complete a short in-person test during interview. Please ensure you are able to attend an in-person interview.
To learn more about Pathology at NBT, watch our video.
Main duties of the job
You will be involved in the day-to-day support work of the Histopathology laboratory, including data-entry, assisting in the reception and preparation of clinical specimens for biological testing, and with the maintenance of equipment and departmental filing systems.
In addition you may also be required to assist in the loading and unloading of slides from the departments digital slide scanners.
The Histopathology department has a strong team working environment, always looking to improve to enhance not only the service we provide our users but also the experiences we offer our team. Being a large department you will gain knowledge and experience across a wide range of activities and specimens.
This is a permanent, full-time position (37.5 hours per week, four days per week, 7:30 - 17:30, Monday - Friday); down-day to be agreed. Participation in a Saturday rota may be required.
Applicants are required to have good keyboard skills and a working knowledge of the pathology IT systems, although full training will be provided. Ideally we are looking for someone with data-entry skills and recent laboratory experience.
About us
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the job description attached for a full list of responsibilities
a) Participate in the receipt and recording of specimensb) Participate in data input to laboratory computerc) Assist Pathologists and Biomedical Scientists at cut-up ensuring efficient use of workspace, providing effective support and accurate recording of informationd) Undertake the storage and disposal of tissues in accordance with departmental procedurese) In the main laboratory undertake the routine staining of microscope slides and the management of the instruments on which this is performedf) Undertake the receipt and management of additional work requests to the laboratoryg) Participate in and assist others in the preparation, cleaning, decontamination of equipment and working areas and maintenance of laboratory equipmenth) To perform general laboratory duties, e.g. checking instruments, recording temperaturesi) Participate in departmental digital imaging activitiesj) Participate in the management of supplies in the departmentk) Be responsible for the day to day maintenance and cleanliness of the equipment and environment with which she/he is workingl) Accurately maintain filing systems for request forms, reports, slides and tissue blocks and facilitate their transportation to archive sites within the hospital but outside the department. File and retrieve records and slidesm) Despatch, and receive when returned, slides, blocks and other material as requested and maintain records of all such activitiesn) May be required to deputise in the absence of the Audit Clerk, collating materials to support MDT meetingso) Input and retrieve data from departmental and other IT systemsp) Deal with telephone enquiries to the department and from within the departmentq) Assist in training of staffr) Notify senior staff of all problems encountered in the performance of dutiess) Work according to the Standard Operating Procedures as documentedt) Work within established Health and Safety guidelinesu) To maintain safe and efficient standards of work, following codes of practicev) To participate in staff appraisal / PDP according to Trust policies and proceduresw) The post holder may be required to work at the Essential Services Laboratory based at the Bristol Royal Infirmary
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the job description attached for a full list of responsibilities
a) Participate in the receipt and recording of specimensb) Participate in data input to laboratory computerc) Assist Pathologists and Biomedical Scientists at cut-up ensuring efficient use of workspace, providing effective support and accurate recording of informationd) Undertake the storage and disposal of tissues in accordance with departmental procedurese) In the main laboratory undertake the routine staining of microscope slides and the management of the instruments on which this is performedf) Undertake the receipt and management of additional work requests to the laboratoryg) Participate in and assist others in the preparation, cleaning, decontamination of equipment and working areas and maintenance of laboratory equipmenth) To perform general laboratory duties, e.g. checking instruments, recording temperaturesi) Participate in departmental digital imaging activitiesj) Participate in the management of supplies in the departmentk) Be responsible for the day to day maintenance and cleanliness of the equipment and environment with which she/he is workingl) Accurately maintain filing systems for request forms, reports, slides and tissue blocks and facilitate their transportation to archive sites within the hospital but outside the department. File and retrieve records and slidesm) Despatch, and receive when returned, slides, blocks and other material as requested and maintain records of all such activitiesn) May be required to deputise in the absence of the Audit Clerk, collating materials to support MDT meetingso) Input and retrieve data from departmental and other IT systemsp) Deal with telephone enquiries to the department and from within the departmentq) Assist in training of staffr) Notify senior staff of all problems encountered in the performance of dutiess) Work according to the Standard Operating Procedures as documentedt) Work within established Health and Safety guidelinesu) To maintain safe and efficient standards of work, following codes of practicev) To participate in staff appraisal / PDP according to Trust policies and proceduresw) The post holder may be required to work at the Essential Services Laboratory based at the Bristol Royal Infirmary
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Numerate and literate (minimum 4 GCSE's, or equivalent, incl. Maths & English & a Science)
Work Experience
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team
Desirable
- Experience of working in a laboratory, preferably Histology
- Demonstrate understanding of health and safety risks relevant to the department
- Working knowledge of the appropriate protocols and SOP used within the Department
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Essential
- Understanding of the need for confidentiality and data protection
- Knowledge of MS office including Outlook, Word and Excel
- Knowledge of Histopathology and its role in healthcare
- Knowledge of basic medical terminology
- Good organisational skills
- Effective communication skills written and verbal
- Effective key board skills including data input experience
Personal Qualities
Essential
- A desire to work in healthcare
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Numerate and literate (minimum 4 GCSE's, or equivalent, incl. Maths & English & a Science)
Work Experience
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team
Desirable
- Experience of working in a laboratory, preferably Histology
- Demonstrate understanding of health and safety risks relevant to the department
- Working knowledge of the appropriate protocols and SOP used within the Department
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Essential
- Understanding of the need for confidentiality and data protection
- Knowledge of MS office including Outlook, Word and Excel
- Knowledge of Histopathology and its role in healthcare
- Knowledge of basic medical terminology
- Good organisational skills
- Effective communication skills written and verbal
- Effective key board skills including data input experience
Personal Qualities
Essential
- A desire to work in healthcare
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.
