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Infrastructure and Facilities, College of Medical and Dental Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £25,506 to £27,399 with potential progression once in post to £31,718

Band 500

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 8th May 2023

Please note: We are advertising at both Band 400 and Band 500 level, with a total of 3 opportunities available. Please find the Band 400 opportunity using this reference: 1774

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.

The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham

Role summary

You will deliver timely and high-quality technical and administrative support within the HAU, utilising your anatomical knowledge to develop an understanding of the requirements for delivering our undergraduate classes and an in-depth understanding of the main subject areas supported by the anatomy team.

You will support all activities undertaken by the HAU Professional Services staff. You will, under supervision, be trained in the receipt, preparation, embalming, storage and maintenance of the donors accepted by the HAU for anatomical examination. You will also assist the team in preparing cadavers and specimens for funerals and respectful disposal. Utilising your anatomical knowledge, you will prepare high-quality prosected specimens from all regions of the human body for use in our licensed teaching facilities.

You will assist others in the team with the transport of cadavers and cadaveric material. You will utilise your anatomical knowledge to liaise with academic staff to ensure the smooth running of all our undergraduate teaching sessions. You will support all other duties in the Unit, including postgraduate courses, research and statutory administrative record-keeping required by the Human Tissue Act (2004) and by Health and Safety legislation.

You will also be expected to ensure that your working area is safe and to support others in following health and safety instructions. You may need to operate outside normal working hours to accommodate activities. In order to use resource flexibly, you may be required to work in different areas of the unit or be given the opportunity to work in the university more widely.

As part of your ongoing professional development, you would be encouraged to apply for professional registration with the Science Council ( How to apply for professional registration - The Science Council ~ : The Science Council ~ )

As part of your ongoing professional development, you would be encouraged to apply for Associate Fellowship from AdvanceHE.

Main duties

Anatomy duties

• Act as Person Designated under the Human Tissue Act.
• You will utilise your anatomical knowledge to support a wide range of classes across all our teaching facilities, including active participation in the delivery of our Prosectorium teaching sessions, by carrying out the following tasks:
  • Enforce Human Tissue Act and Health and Safety legislation, ensuring all activities are carried out in accordance with these regulations.
  • Maintain HTA statutory documentation relating to cadaver information and records, including processing movement of cadavers from receipt to disposal. Ensure accurate completion of all documentation and records; participate fully in all compliance audits and produce compliance reports as required.
  • Assist with the administration and implementation of health and safety documents relating to HAU matters, including the provision of risk and COSHH assessments and other documentation to ensure in‑house and statutory rules and regulations are up to date, understood and complied with.
  • Ensure that adequate security exists in all our licensed teaching areas to comply with relevant laws and regulations.
  • Have responsibility for the organisation, administration and delivery of all undergraduate teaching classes held in the Prosectorium.
  • Assist with the organisation, supervision and/or delivery of postgraduate and external surgical skills courses, research projects, students and visitors using our facilities.
  • Have responsibility for the administration and preparation of prosections from human cadavers to support teaching for undergraduate/postgraduate courses and research.
  • Have responsibility for ensuring cadaveric and supporting materials are available and prepared as required by our curricula.
  • Apply and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of human anatomy.
  • Provide support to the Anatomy Manager in delivery of training to staff, students and visitors in dissection and other techniques.
  • Undertake embalming duties, including administration, in consultation with the Anatomy Manager.
  • Have responsibility for the maintenance of the HAU teaching materials and areas.
  • Using your anatomical knowledge, advise and assist academic staff with the development of teaching materials.
  • Advise and assist staff and students in the development, design, preparation, construction, assembly and application of the equipment, and/or deployment of particular techniques.
  • Utilise your anatomical knowledge to conceptualise, interpret and deliver the requirements of academic staff.
  • Research, design, trial and modifying embalming protocols in preparation for moving to Thiel embalming.
  • Support the Anatomy Manager where required and deputise for them in their absence.
  • Keep the Technical Manager for Anatomy and Clinical Skills informed as to changes to protocols/sessions, content of any discussions with academic session leads and other matters relating to the HAU.
  • Initiate discussion with the Anatomy Manager on any issues that may compromise the core function of the HAU, or information that is related to the core functions of the HAU.
  • Instruct and provide high level technical support for students in the correct and safe handling of sharps and dissecting equipment, including dissection techniques and preservation techniques.
  • Provide specialist technical support for practical research projects delivered within the HAU.
  • Prepare and support Open Day, Applicant Visitor Day events, Continuous Professional Development and other external requirements within the HAU or other areas, as and when required (including outside normal working hours) – for which you will receive either time off in lieu or enhanced payment.
  • Oversee preparation of the Prosectorium, licensed classrooms and/or Dissecting Room for practicals and the setup/takedown of equipment/materials used during sessions.
  • Check practical layouts prior to classes and ensure that all requirements are in place.
  • Take responsibility for the training of users of a broad spectrum of general laboratory equipment and specialised equipment and maintain a booking system for specialised equipment use by staff and students.
  • Troubleshoot and respond to problems occurring during practical sessions, using your in-depth knowledge and your ability to diagnose/resolve problems and suggest solutions.
  • Work collaboratively and collegially with all levels of staff, student and visitors in the Unit, Institute and University.

Health and Safety duties

• Proactively support health and safety within the laboratory. This may include being required to look after a communal area as part of your duties. Comply with all current rules and ensure that all required assessments are in place, approved and up to date.
• Using your understanding, demonstrate the safety aspects of equipment operation and train staff (at all levels) on the correct usage of the equipment.
• Ensure that regular maintenance processes are carried out and that appropriate records are maintained.
• Report any breaches or non-compliance with health and safety procedures to the relevant technical manager(s).
• Uphold the correct waste disposal stream, as governed by College and local policy for laboratory waste.
• Undergo training as a Fire Warden.
• Where required, undergo training as a First Aider.

General Administration and Organisation

• Ensure all records are accurate and kept up to date.
• Proactively maintain stocks of consumables, and when required, generate purchase order requisitions using University systems.
• Receive and correctly store consumables/equipment and chemical reagents.
• Ensure that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
• Ensure that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained.
• Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures.
• Maintain a technical support-based teaching laboratory website (‘how to’ guides for the preparation of materials, practical setup guides), and keep these up to date as and when session requirements or protocols change; maintain relevant research lab databases/records.

Other Duties

• In collaboration with the relevant manager, take an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed staff.
• Support equality and diversity values; moderate own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.
• Any other duties as may reasonably be required.

Person Specification

• BSc in Human Anatomy (or similar, closely related qualification with a significant Anatomy component) or evidence of extensive relevant workplace experience in an HTA-licensed laboratory.
• A Diploma in Anatomical Technology
• Understanding of, and experience in, working under the Human Tissue Act (2004) and associated Human Tissue Authority standards is required.
• GCSE level 2 (A*- C/4-9) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.
• In-depth practical knowledge of producing prosections from all regions of the body.
• Positive service attitude and courtesy in dealing with others.
• Ability to organise and manage own workload and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision, but function as part of a team.
• Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role.
• Knowledge of current health and safety policies and ability to uphold these.
• Proficiency in commonly used software packages.
• Understanding of the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.
• Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures
• Professional registration with the Science Council for this position is desirable but not essential, as you would be encouraged to obtain this registration as part of your ongoing Professional Development.
• Associate Fellowship from AdvanceHE is desirable but not essential as you would be encouraged to obtain this registration as part of your ongoing Professional Development.

Dimensions

You will provide specialist expertise in your area and provide advice and support to a range of customers. You may supervise staff; even where you do not have supervisory responsibilities you will be expected to act as a role model for other staff. You may be involved in budget monitoring.

Planning and organising

You will be required to work independently on daily, weekly and monthly tasks and also on projects with medium or longer term horizons without daily supervision. You will ensure that you have the resources required, which will require planning ahead and procurement of goods.

Problem solving and decision making

You will be able to research, modify and adapt protocols after consulting the relevant manager(s) and prepare for teaching experiments. You will be able to uphold Health and Safety procedures. You will need to be confident in identifying problems, breaking them down and implementing solutions. Although you will work under the direction of more senior staff, you will be able to carry out your work with a reasonable degree of autonomy.

Internal and external relationships

This role will be advising and supporting staff and/or students, and with external contacts such as company representatives. You may occasionally be required to liaise with surgeons participating or organising surgical skills training courses.

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquires to Natasha Russell, email: [email protected]

View our staff values and behaviours here

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working .