Healthcare Science Support worker

Job overview

The Pathology departments at North Tees and South Tees hospitals are working collaboratively to develop a joint service with services being delivered on both hospital sites. This will require cross site working as appropriate.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for 2 motivated and enthusiastic Healthcare Science Support Workers (Higher level), within the laboratory team working in the Cellular Pathology Department.

The main purpose of the role will be to assist Biomedical Scientists and Pathologists to provide a diagnostic service. Specific duties will include: assisting at specimen dissections, providing support to ensure efficient work flow, maintaining some laboratory equipment and general housekeeping tasks throughout the laboratory.

The successful applicant must have excellent organisational  skills, effective interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work using their own initiative, to meet tight deadlines.

The department operates between 07.00 - 18.00.Monday to Friday including a 1:6 Saturday rotation.  The post holder is expected to work flexibly within these hours.

Please note - this post may close once sufficient applications have been received

Main duties of the job

Competently deal with all sample types received into the department including those which may carry transmissible infection risks and follow the appropriate protocols for handling such specimens

Triage specimens ensuring urgent specimens are prioritised and inadequate and mis-labelled specimens are identified in accordance with departmental policies and procedures

Participate in the storing, retrieving and disposal of specimens and specimen records in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures

Assist in specimen dissection with Consultant Histopathologists and Biomedical Scientists

Maintain and operate tissue processing machines.

Load automated staining machine with slides, coverslip stained slides using automated coverslipper.

Prepare solutions and reagents as required following SOP’s.

Take responsibility for stock control and delivery of consumables where appropriate

Safely dispose of biological materials and waste as per standard operating procedures (SOP)

Assist with the cleaning and decontamination of laboratory         equipment and benches.

Respond to enquiries from service users

Ensure that laboratory records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK).

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Plea se see attached  job description and person specification for  specific job description and main responsibilities