Medical Laboratory Assistant

Job overview

• The post holder will work as a member of the Cellular Pathology team providing data, scientific and technical services used for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. This department consists of Histology and non-gynae cytology.
• Where appropriate the post holder will work under the guidance of more experience staff in undertaking the scientific tasks in most sections of the department. Assisting senior staff in training of new staff as required.
• The post holder will be expected to ensure the effective delivery of a high-quality service that meets the needs and requirements of all users, meeting the requirements to maintain continuing accreditation with ISO 15189:2012 and continuing compliance with other statutory and non-statutory bodies.

Main duties of the job

Technical

• To receive tissue samples and request forms and enter onto the Laboratory Information and Management System (LIMS) following departmental SOPs.
• Prepare and assist BMS and consultant staff at surgical specimen assessment.
• Prepare specimens for disposal according to lab SOP’s.
• Preparation of non-gynae specimens.
• Using specialist knowledge orientate and wax embed processed material.
• Trim blocks for sectioning.
• Cutting blocks for staining.
• Staining sections with H&E or special stains.
• To prepare samples and requests for specialist tests for despatch to referral laboratories by courier or by post ensuring adherence to relevant postal and Health and Safety regulations.
• Wash laboratory glassware, specimen containers and slide transit boxes. Re label and fill if appropriate.
• File slides, tissue blocks, and any other archiving required.
• To participate in routine equipment maintenance procedures to provide a clean, healthy and high-quality analytical environment.
• Assist in the daily internal quality control of the staining machine.
• Assist in the routine maintenance of all equipment in use in the department.
• Assist in all other daily tasks as necessary.
• To prepare chemical solutions following instructions in SOP’s ensuring compliance with Health and safety requirements and COSHH guidelines.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached the job description for more details on the main responsibilities for this role.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.