Job summary
We are seeking to appoint a self-motivated Mortuary Medical
Laboratory Assistant to join our Cellular Pathology team in the mortuary and
histology department. The successful candidate will work closely with
Anatomical Pathology Technicians, Biomedical Scientists and Associate
Practitioners. Following training, you will primarily be based within the
Mortuary at University Hospital North Durham and ocasionally the Histology Lab.
You will be required to work on a rotational basis within the mortuary at
Darlington Memorial Hospital when needed. The ability to travel across sites is
essential. Please refer to the Job Description and Personal Specification for
full details.
The ideal candidate will be a team player that
possesses excellent communication skills, organisation and manual dexterity
skills and have a keen eye for detail. Manual handling is a core part of the
role. You will also have the ability to concentrate for long periods of time
and have a keen interest in Mortuary and pathology services. You should be able
to demonstrate good keyboard skills and be computer literate. Previous
experience of working in an NHS pathology laboratory or mortuary is desirable.
Main duties of the job
Main tasks include:
Receipt and registration of deceased patients and laboratory
samples.
Release of deceased patients to funeral directors.
Entering patient details onto the laboratory computer system
and inputting the correct tests, maintaining all required logs.
Answering reception and telephone queries and liaising with
other Trust staff and the general public.
Preparing bodies for the purpose of relative viewings and
police identification.
Organising referral work, packaging and sending of samples
to other Trust sites and to other Trusts nationwide.
Stock control including receiving and receipting deliveries,
documenting and organising batches of reagents and performing verification
tasks.
Perform support duties during dissection of different
samples within histology.
Prepare cases for discussion at Multi disciplinary Team
Meetings.
Loading and unloading tissue processor machines.
Cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas.
Demonstrating duties to other staff.
Error logging and trouble shooting.
There may also be an opportunity to take part in an on-call
Rota.
Please refer to the Job Description and Personal
Specification for full details. .
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have been employed for a minimum of two years
of as a HCA Band 3 within the NHS for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and personal
specification for full details.
This Mortuary Medical Laboratory Assistant role (MLA)
involves working closely with Pathologists, Anatomical Pathology Technicians,
Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Medical Laboratory
Assistants. They follow the laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and
complete the relevant quality documentation as required.
Upon completion of training and gaining competency, they
will rotate throughout the specialist areas of the laboratory and mortuary.
They perform duties in accordance to local policy to a high degree of standards
whilst conforming to health and safety requirements. This includes working in
the body store, and viewing room of the mortuary and histology specimen
reception, MDT preparation and dissection support. They used a variety of
specialist laboratory equipment to perform tasks and are responsible for the
maintenance of equipment and completing maintenance documentation. This also
includes temperature, xylene and formalin monitoring.
The role requires handling of body fluids and human tissue
samples which can be of a sensitive nature. Work within the mortuary can often
be upsetting. Manual handling is required daily.
Stock is managed by all staff. This includes monitoring
stock levels of consumables, signing for deliveries, receipting goods
delivered, unpacking, verifying if appropriate and ensuring paperwork is
complete before placing in appropriate storage area in an orderly organised
manner.
Generally the MLA staff assist with tasks in the laboratory
and mortuary in which they have been trained and are within their scope of
practice.
In order to perform their daily tasks
effectively, an MLA requires the ability to focus for long periods of time,
have great attention to detail and possess the ability to organise tasks in
priority order. An MLA also requires computer literacy skills as they are
expected to use spreadsheets, access LIMS and perform audits as needed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and personal
specification for full details.
This Mortuary Medical Laboratory Assistant role (MLA)
involves working closely with Pathologists, Anatomical Pathology Technicians,
Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Medical Laboratory
Assistants. They follow the laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and
complete the relevant quality documentation as required.
Upon completion of training and gaining competency, they
will rotate throughout the specialist areas of the laboratory and mortuary.
They perform duties in accordance to local policy to a high degree of standards
whilst conforming to health and safety requirements. This includes working in
the body store, and viewing room of the mortuary and histology specimen
reception, MDT preparation and dissection support. They used a variety of
specialist laboratory equipment to perform tasks and are responsible for the
maintenance of equipment and completing maintenance documentation. This also
includes temperature, xylene and formalin monitoring.
The role requires handling of body fluids and human tissue
samples which can be of a sensitive nature. Work within the mortuary can often
be upsetting. Manual handling is required daily.
Stock is managed by all staff. This includes monitoring
stock levels of consumables, signing for deliveries, receipting goods
delivered, unpacking, verifying if appropriate and ensuring paperwork is
complete before placing in appropriate storage area in an orderly organised
manner.
Generally the MLA staff assist with tasks in the laboratory
and mortuary in which they have been trained and are within their scope of
practice.
In order to perform their daily tasks
effectively, an MLA requires the ability to focus for long periods of time,
have great attention to detail and possess the ability to organise tasks in
priority order. An MLA also requires computer literacy skills as they are
expected to use spreadsheets, access LIMS and perform audits as needed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 3 in Health (pathology stream) or equivalent
- Science and/or math's GCSE or above
Desirable
- Equivalent science qualifications
- Science A'Levels
Special Requirements
Essential
- Able to handle tissue and body fluid samples.
- Able to work flexibly and across site
Desirable
- Able to participate in shift working, weekend working, bank holidays as required.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Follow protocols and instructions accurately
- Communication, verbal and written
- Computer literate
Desirable
- Excel and other Microsoft Office applications
- Knowledge of procedures for viewing of the deceased
Experience
Essential
- Previous laboratory or mortuary experience
Desirable
- Interaction of hospital services with external users i.e. funeral directors
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 3 in Health (pathology stream) or equivalent
- Science and/or math's GCSE or above
Desirable
- Equivalent science qualifications
- Science A'Levels
Special Requirements
Essential
- Able to handle tissue and body fluid samples.
- Able to work flexibly and across site
Desirable
- Able to participate in shift working, weekend working, bank holidays as required.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Follow protocols and instructions accurately
- Communication, verbal and written
- Computer literate
Desirable
- Excel and other Microsoft Office applications
- Knowledge of procedures for viewing of the deceased
Experience
Essential
- Previous laboratory or mortuary experience
Desirable
- Interaction of hospital services with external users i.e. funeral directors
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.
