Job description

This position includes participation within the routine areas of the technical service. Handling and processing of diseased human tissues and body fluids is a key component of the role.

The successful applicant will be an integral part of the laboratory team, taking responsibility for organisation of the dissection suite on a rotational basis, and for ensuring an efficient flow of specimens through this area.

Excellent communication skills are required as is the ability to work accurately and effectively as part of a team and independently. Maintaining patient confidentiality is a key requirement of the post holder.

Previous laboratory/ microtomy experience would be an advantage, but full training will be provided.

4 GCSEs are required; one preferably in a science subject and possession of computer skills is essential.

Part Time - 30hrs p/w

• Receipt, handling and triaging of Pathological specimens to ensure that urgent work is prioritized. This will involve human tissue preserved in Formalin and specimens posing a potential risk of infection, some of which may not conform to departmental routine.
• Preparation and processing of systemic Cytology specimens
• Preparation of the dissection room for specimen dissection by Consultant Pathologists, ensuring availability of clean equipment, and to then assist Consultants/ BMS staff performing dissection/ macro photography.
• To perform microtomy and embedding of paraffin wax tissue blocks.
• To operate and perform routine maintenance on designated laboratory equipment as

detailed in laboratory protocols, ensuring that it is safe to be used by other staff.To organize, pack and then arrange for transfer of departmental archives (paraffin wax blocks) to the external storage hold, on a six monthly basis.

• Liaises with mortuary staff to arrange for the sympathetic disposal of specified tissues in line with Royal College of Pathologists guidelines.
• To arrange with the radiography department for the X-ray of Histology specimens, to transport these specimens to X-ray, and to then liaise with Radiography staff to ensure specimens are appropriately handled.
• To monitor specimen retention and perform disposal safely and in line with local protocol. The postholder is responsible for determining those samples for discard.

Wye Valley NHS Trust is a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire NHS FT and the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust.

Located on the border with Wales in the shadow of the Black Mountains, we provide acute and community services across Herefordshire and into parts of Powys and run Hereford County Hospital and the community hospitals in Bromyard, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.

We are a progressive and forward looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care wed want for our family and friends.

More than 3,500 people work for the Trust they tell us it’s a great place to work, blending the busyness of a DGH with the benefits of working in a beautiful rural and unspoilt county like Herefordshire.

The Trust encourages applications from people outside of the NHS and welcomes the valuable experiences and skills they can bring to the organisation.

We can offer a great work-life balance and have a fine tradition of working with staff to help them achieve their full potential.

Our values -Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence - are at the heart of all we do. We believe in providing the right care in the right place at the right time all the time.

To view role requirements and role responsibilities in full, please view ‘supporting documents’ linked to this vacancy.