Tissue Bank Technician

Job overview

The main purpose of this role is the collection and processing of tissue and bodily fluids for the Manchester Cancer Research Centre Biobank. The post holder will be expected to ensure that tissue and other samples of human material are transported and processed for long term storage in accordance with all relevant legislation and governance requirements and collect patient data as required to submit for inclusion to the Biobank database

Main duties of the job

The post holders’ main duties will be to:

Liaise and communicate effectively with all relevant staff including, surgeons, pathologists, theatre staff, researchers and other health care professionals in a polite and professional manner.

Identify patients who may be suitable for donation to the MCRC Biobank by attending MDTs, obtaining admissions/pre-op lists and via the surgical team as appropriate.

Discuss the Biobank initiative with identified patients and take informed consent as required or facilitate the consent process through the clinical team in line with the Biobank consent policy.

Arrange the collection of biological samples from patients as required and undertake sample processing, liaising and involving pathology where necessary.

Transport samples from the collection site to the Biobank ensuring the quality of the samples is maintained and in line with all local and national policy

Complete all necessary paperwork relating to the collected patient samples.

Facilitate the collection of tissue/data from existing hospital/pathology archives.

Assign a unique biobank sample number to each sample and label accordingly.

Perform laboratory based clerical duties, in line with codes of confidentiality, including computerised data entry, and filing.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Sample Collection and Processing

Liaise and communicate effectively with all relevant staff including, surgeons, pathologists, theatre staff, researchers and other health care professionals in a polite and professional manner.

Identify patients who may be suitable for donation to the MCRC Biobank by reviewing admissions/pre-op lists and via the clinical team as appropriate.

Discuss the Biobank initiative with identified patients and take informed consent as required or facilitate the consent process through the clinical team in line with the relevant SOP and policies.

Understand the various sample collection requirements and specifics for projects facilitated through the MCRC Biobank, interacting with the relevant information as required to inform working practice.

Arrange the collection of biological samples from patients, liaising and involving pathology where necessary.

Develop and maintain good laboratory skills and following Biobank SOPs to ensure tissue, blood and other human biological samples are processed to maintain their quality for downstream research use.

Ensure a high level of hand-eye coordination and maintain concentration to ensure samples are processed accurately and efficiently.

Ensure samples are appropriately labelled, barcoded and stored to comply with the legislation relating to the traceability of human tissue.

Complete all necessary paperwork relating to the collection and processing of patient samples ensuring accurate information is collated in relation to patient level data, clinical data and sample specific information.

Where required, transport samples from the collection site to the Biobank ensuring the quality of the samples is maintained and in line with all local and national policies.

Facilitate the collection of tissue/data from existing hospital/pathology archives.

Perform laboratory based clerical duties, in line with codes of confidentiality, including computerised data entry, and filing.

Monitor the bulk stocks of equipment for the biobank applying appropriate manual handling and chemical hazard measures and always ensuring efficient use of resources.

Facilitate the delivery of samples via courier, to ensure samples are collected and delivered to and from the correct location at an appropriate time for the recipient.

Answer telephone queries that come through to the Biobank office in relation to sample collection from service users, which may include patient queries.

Administration and Data Management

Ensure effective stock management of consent packs and sample kits at hospital sites.

Maintain existing tracking records and logging systems.

Deal with all matters arising, referring them on to appropriate members of staff as required.

Display and maintain an appropriate level of IT skills, in order to input patient and request data, maintain and amend patient records and interrogate the laboratory and hospital databases.

Perform a range of administrative tasks as required.  This includes archiving and retrieval of specimens and data, maintenance of archived material and collection of data for audits.

Provide administrative support to other biobank staff by undertaking ad-hoc duties including typing minutes, agendas, faxing, lamination, document binding, etc.

Training and Education

Attend mandatory training sessions required by the Trust and any other study relevant to their area.

Participate in the Trust’s annual appraisal procedure, maintaining competence levels within the Department and assists in own personal and professional development.

Provide training support and assistance to newly appointed/less experienced staff as appropriate.

Ensure knowledge of relevant policies, procedures and legislation is kept up-to-date, including the Human Tissue Act (2004).

General Requirements.

Work without direct supervision to ensure that the Biobank is administered in an efficient and professional manner.

Ensure effective communication/liaison with other Biobank Technicians, Biobank staff and clinicians.

Attend departmental and Trust-wide staff meetings as appropriate and implement any resultant recommendations/findings in a timely manner.

Travel as required to other Biobank collection sites within the Greater Manchester area to provide cover during times of annual leave, sick leave and other absences.

Work to ensure that departmental performance targets are met by continually assessing priority of work.

Maintain the highest standards of personal and professional conduct.

Report adverse incidents to their immediate supervisor.