Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for 3 enthusiastic individuals to join our proactive, friendly and supportive Cellular Pathology department.
Housed in a modern, spacious laboratory, the Cellular Pathology team use state-of-the-art equipment for both routine and immunohistochemical staining. Digital Pathology is fully embedded within the workflow producing digital images for diagnosis and, in keeping with the commitment to continuous development of the service, automated equipment for tissue processing and embedding is the most recent addition to further streamline the service.
The Successful candidates will be well motivated, able to prioritise their workload, use initiative and maintain a high degree of quality and accuracy at all times. They will have previous laboratory experience and will participate in many aspects of routine histological techniques supporting the biomedical scientists in delivering a high-quality histopathology service.
Continuous professional development is actively encouraged amongst all members of the team and the department has a good track record of developing its staff to realise their full potential..
The department has a 7-day working pattern, is UKAS accredited to ISO 15189 and licenced by the Human Tissue Authority for Post Mortem work and storage. Also fully computerised using Telepath, Pathosys, Careflow Trust order communications and Sunquest ICE systems.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will take an active role in the performance of the routine and delegated tasks involved in the delivery of a histology service which enables high standards of patient care, maintaining good working relations with all staff, promoting effective team work and the professional image of the Department of Pathology within the Trust.
The Histology department is a tissue diagnostic service provided by a team of highly qualified scientific and medical staff to determine the presence or absence of disease. The results of which enable clinicians to make evidence based decisions about the patients treatment plan and to monitor the effectiveness of that treatment. The post holder will act as part of an established team to ensure smooth delivery of the daily workload adhering to all departmental policies and procedures.
(Whiston Hospital is situated in Prescot, Merseyside and is easily accessible from both Manchester and Liverpool being close to the M62 and M57 motorways.)
About us
The Secretary of State has approved the partnership between St Helens & Knowsley and Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals.
From 1st July we have come together as a single organisation under the name Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.
The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.
Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:
- CAREthat is evidence based, high quality and compassionate
- SAFETY that is of the highest standards
- COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful
- SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred and reliable
- PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients
Our achievements include:
- Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
- Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
- Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Please see our Wellbeing & Benefits booklet for more information on our staff benefits. Accessible version available upon request.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY DUTIES
Maintain and foster the highest possible standards of technical work in the department maintaining ensuring compliance with UKAS, HSE and HTA standards.
General laboratory surface cleaning of fittings and equipment
Responsible for despatch of unprocessed (fixed) tissue to outside agencies.
Responsible for the receipt of specimens ensuring that all specimens are correctly labelled with the minimum data set. Highlight any discrepancies, contact the clinicians involved and complete incidence reports as per protocol.
Responsible for the preparation of cut up and assist medical dissection of specimens.
Responsible for ensuring that the digital dictation system is working correctly, printing correctly labelled Vantage blocks and all the relevant information is inputted into the Vantage and Telepath systems.
Take responsibility for the digital photography of gross specimens at cut-up and downloading onto the Telepath system.
Maintain and prepare solutions, reagents and stains according to departmental SOPs and COSHH data.
To file microscope slides and wax blocks as part of general housekeeping for the department
To participate in routine embedding and section cutting
Responsible for receipt and disposal of surgical tissue not requiring histopathology from surgical theatres.
Dispose of laboratory specimen waste, including products of conception for sensitive disposal under senior biomedical scientist supervision, according to departmental policies
Ensure all re-usable specimen containers are cleaned in readiness for supply to theatres, clinics and GPs.
Maintain the tissue processors, including the loading of them after specimen dissection and on a rotational cycle, change the reagents, recording it in reagent log and processing a QC block ensuring that protocols according to SOPs and COSHH are adhered to
Assist in the daily internal quality control by ensuring that all slides are stained and mounted and that the correct slide data is put onto the slides. Match up slides and patients cards before booking out on Vantage and Telepath systems.
Comply at all times with the Trust Health and Safety Policy and the Laboratory Health and Safety Policy.
Observe the immunisation policy of the Laboratory/Trust
Attend mandatory and statutory, fire, lifting and handling and health and safety training.
Report any risks, clinical and non-clinical incidents promptly and co-operate with any investigations undertaken.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
Ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely for compliance with the standards of UKAS.
Comply with good laboratory practice required for the standards of UKAS and HSE guidelines.
Comply with the local and national policies for safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
Follow trust policies, guidelines and procedures when using the Trust wide IT system.
TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for assisting in the training of new Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA)
Participate in formal and informal CPD activities and attend educational and training courses as appropriate.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY DUTIES
Maintain and foster the highest possible standards of technical work in the department maintaining ensuring compliance with UKAS, HSE and HTA standards.
General laboratory surface cleaning of fittings and equipment
Responsible for despatch of unprocessed (fixed) tissue to outside agencies.
Responsible for the receipt of specimens ensuring that all specimens are correctly labelled with the minimum data set. Highlight any discrepancies, contact the clinicians involved and complete incidence reports as per protocol.
Responsible for the preparation of cut up and assist medical dissection of specimens.
Responsible for ensuring that the digital dictation system is working correctly, printing correctly labelled Vantage blocks and all the relevant information is inputted into the Vantage and Telepath systems.
Take responsibility for the digital photography of gross specimens at cut-up and downloading onto the Telepath system.
Maintain and prepare solutions, reagents and stains according to departmental SOPs and COSHH data.
To file microscope slides and wax blocks as part of general housekeeping for the department
To participate in routine embedding and section cutting
Responsible for receipt and disposal of surgical tissue not requiring histopathology from surgical theatres.
Dispose of laboratory specimen waste, including products of conception for sensitive disposal under senior biomedical scientist supervision, according to departmental policies
Ensure all re-usable specimen containers are cleaned in readiness for supply to theatres, clinics and GPs.
Maintain the tissue processors, including the loading of them after specimen dissection and on a rotational cycle, change the reagents, recording it in reagent log and processing a QC block ensuring that protocols according to SOPs and COSHH are adhered to
Assist in the daily internal quality control by ensuring that all slides are stained and mounted and that the correct slide data is put onto the slides. Match up slides and patients cards before booking out on Vantage and Telepath systems.
Comply at all times with the Trust Health and Safety Policy and the Laboratory Health and Safety Policy.
Observe the immunisation policy of the Laboratory/Trust
Attend mandatory and statutory, fire, lifting and handling and health and safety training.
Report any risks, clinical and non-clinical incidents promptly and co-operate with any investigations undertaken.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
Ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely for compliance with the standards of UKAS.
Comply with good laboratory practice required for the standards of UKAS and HSE guidelines.
Comply with the local and national policies for safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
Follow trust policies, guidelines and procedures when using the Trust wide IT system.
TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for assisting in the training of new Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA)
Participate in formal and informal CPD activities and attend educational and training courses as appropriate.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Basic typing qualifications or NVQ2 in Health Sciences and / or equivalent experience
- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent qualification and / or equivalent experience
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Understanding of a working laboratory
Desirable
- Laboratory/Pathology experience
Skills
Essential
- Basic computer skills
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Well organised
- Willing to work flexibly
- Willing and able to learn new skills
- Team working skills
- Ability to use own initiative
Desirable
- Good telephone manner
- Ability to work with minimum supervision
Other
Essential
- Personable, friendly demeanour
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Basic typing qualifications or NVQ2 in Health Sciences and / or equivalent experience
- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent qualification and / or equivalent experience
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Understanding of a working laboratory
Desirable
- Laboratory/Pathology experience
Skills
Essential
- Basic computer skills
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Well organised
- Willing to work flexibly
- Willing and able to learn new skills
- Team working skills
- Ability to use own initiative
Desirable
- Good telephone manner
- Ability to work with minimum supervision
Other
Essential
- Personable, friendly demeanour
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.
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
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.
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).
