Tissue Centre Assistant

Job overview

A successful post created in advance of our move to Oriel, a new centre for Eye Health, due to open in 2027.

On rotation to work across all areas of the Tissue Centre, to assist with the daily running of the Pathology Service, the Moorfields Lions Eye Bank and Department of Eye Pathology. This post spans a majority technical, clinical and some administrative roles within these services.

In preparation for that move we are starting to bring the workforce together with roles such as this which have elements which cover all areas on a rotational basis, subject to planned need.  Full comprehensive training shall be provided. The department seeks dynamic individuals with a “can-do” attitude, positive outlook, require minimal supervision and possess the appetite to seek continuous improvement with excellent outcomes.

Main duties of the job

The role covers the Pathology Services Department within the main Moorfields Hospital. The main duties here are to receive and despatch samples from across the Trust to the relevant pathology provider(s). It is a technical, clinical and administrative role, handling the samples and fielding calls and queries from clinical teams relating to the results.

The Moorfields Lions Eye Bank order and receive transplantable tissues and materials from multiple suppliers, before sending them to theatres and network sites for use in patients. There is a need to check theatre lists to ensure tissue is ordered in good time and to check it against acceptance criteria upon receipt. The correct tissue is then distributed for the correct  recipient, with a custody trail maintained throughout,

The Department of Eye Pathology forms part of NSOPS and  receives ophthalmic samples nationally which are dissected, processed and reported free of charge as a block funded service.  Initially the role here would mirror that of a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) until IBMS training accreditation is back in place and then would transfer to a trainee role to enable HCPC registration.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To collect, log and send samples to the relevant pathology assessment service in accordance with the Pathology standard operating procedures (SOPs) and national guidelines for the for the dispatching of pathology samples.

To receive samples from network sites and clinics, log and send them to the relevant provider, returning the labelled Bio-Bottle containers to the originator as required.

To safely handle, log and send pathology samples (blood and other body fluid samples, tissue samples and so forth) to the relevant pathology provider.

To carefully check the request form and patient samples in accordance with the Request Form and specimen Labelling Policy.

To prioritise the workload so that urgent samples are dealt with in a timely manner and to record all urgent requests as required, to follow these up and promptly give results to the requesting clinician.

To field and escalate issues raised either via phone, the shared mailbox or physically so that the issue can be resolved to all party’s satisfaction.

To provide support to colleagues within the department, as needed.

Moorfields Lions Eye Bank

To scrutinise, with colleagues, and action the daily transplant lists, to ensure the correct tissue is in the correct place in advance of surgery.

To source and order tissues as required from multiple tissue providers (NHSBT, MiS, RMLEB, NuVision and Wescott Medical) to maintain relevant stocks locally.

To undertake appropriate checks on receipt of tissues and ensure the appropriateness of both the tissue and storage conditions.

To ensure, with colleagues, that Tissue usage paperwork if completed for each issued tissue and to chase when there are identified gaps.

To review and generate reports as needed for providers, including the Human Tissue Authority (HTA), Infection Control (IPC) and Graft Outcome Clinics (GOC).

To provide support to colleagues within the department, as needed.

Department of Eye Pathology

To receive samples and biopsies from national senders and handle them in accordance with local guidelines.

To carefully check the request form and patient samples whilst booking the samples in to the departments’ computer system,/database.

To support the Biomedical Scientists by undertaking duties which they request, such as changing the processing machines, refreshing reagents across various analysers, running IQC and retrieving solvents from the bulk store as needed.

To be aware of, and up to date with competencies and SOPs such as reflect the work of the department.

To undertake filing and other such duties to support colleagues within the department.

To undertake administrative and secretarial duties. These include receiving and sending email and mail, filtering incoming calls, drafting correspondence, ordering and maintaining a supply of office consumables, audio typing, sending packages, filing and file system management including the scanning of documents and maintaining a contacts database.

Entering details of pathology specimens received into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

Transcribing (typing) histopathology reports into the LIMS and distributing authorised reports to service users.

Generating reports from the LIMS on matters of clinical relevance (e.g. different sources of specimens, turnaround times, lists of cases with a specific diagnosis). This duty includes submitting regular monthly NHS returns and identifying cases for the Cancer Registry.

Telephone liaison for hospitals and others (e.g. police) queries regarding pathology results and possession of tissue.

Liaising with external parties regarding cases/charges for private and extracontractual work.

Assisting departmental staff in the prioritisation of cases to be reported. This includes identifying outstanding (non-reported) cases.

Liaising with external Trusts and laboratories over dispatch and receipt of cases for diagnosis in the UK and abroad.

Assisting administratively in meetings of the Department of Eye Pathology, including taking minutes when required.

Organising internal diagnostic audit and facilitating audits for the wider Trust.

Acting as a central point of contact for the Department.

Circulating all-staff emails on behalf of the Department.

Other Administrative

To use all relevant systems, including OpenEyes, PAS, EyePath, and Eye Bank plus Pathology databases to ensure Data Quality - amending where necessary.

To upload abnormal results to OpenEyes, messaging the requesting clinician so that they are aware.

To be aware of handling all complex and sensitive information appropriately in accordance with all relevant SOPs and to ensure all abnormal blood results are actioned as necessary.

To comply with the SOPs including for safe and secure confidential processing, storage and disposal of patient and other laboratory information in accordance with good work practices as required by the standards of UKAS against ISO15189:2022 and the Human Tissue Authority as needed.