Job Description
Job overviewApplications are invited from suitable candidates to join our busy team within the Cellular and Anatomical Pathology department at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, within the Histology laboratory.We require an Assistant Technical Officer to work as part of a team within the Histology Main Laboratory.A positive attitude to flexible working arrangements is required.We are looking for a competent and versatile individual with a 'can do' attitude who is a good team player and communicator, willing to learn new skills to join our team.There will also be an expectation as the service develops to operate a 7 day working, with options to work to 8pm for which this post will be essential.***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification***Main duties of the jobYou will be part of a team providing a valuable support function to our Diagnostic Service, handling and processing patients’ samples as part of the analytical process, with a particular role in processing of samples within the main Histology laboratory.Applicants must have good basic dexterity, numeracy and literacy skills; technical aptitude, knowledge of Health and Safety issues; basic IT skills; be able to work well within a team and have an eye for detail.Working for our organisationWe are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care.
The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.
If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission.
We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date.
If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.Detailed job description and main responsibilities- 1. To assist the Biomedical Scientists (BMS) in the preparation and processing of tissue specimens submitted for histological examination and biological material submitted for non-gynaecological cytology examination.2. Undertake preparation and staining techniques in accordance with the procedures or as directed by a senior member of staff or the medical staff.3.
Prioritise and separate urgent and other clinically indicated samples for immediate action by staff.4. Undertake Specimen Reception duties. 5.
Undertake cut-up duties.6. To assist the BMS staff in the preparation of slides microscopic examination. 7.
Cut sections from blocks using the high level skills acquired during training to produce sections that are artefact free and of the necessary quality. When the appropriate level of expertise is demonstrated, there will be a requirement for the post holder to cut levels from blocks of small biopsy material.8. To assist in the maintenance and running of any laboratory equipment as directed.
This will include maintaining cleanliness to the necessary standard, discarding waste chemical solutions, replenishment of fresh solutions and use of the instrument.9. To become familiar with laboratory instrumentation used in your day-to-day activity and resolve first line problems.10. To participate in the entry of data into the laboratory computer system during the various stages of processing.For further details please see attached JD&PS.Person specificationKnowledge & ExperienceEssential criteria- Basic IT skills- Proven knowledge of Microsoft Office applicationsDesirable criteria- Demonstrable experience of a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)QualificationsEssential criteria- GCSE A-C in Maths and English or equivalent demonstrable experienceDesirable criteria- Science based learningAptitude & AbilitiesEssential criteria- Good communication skills- Effectively organise and prioritise own workPLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY INCLUDING YOUR JUNK FOLDER.
If you need support with the online application process or require reasonable adjustments with the application and/or interview process please contact the Recruiting Manager for this post. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants about less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. We recommend contacting the manager of the role prior to applying and we commit to giving requests full consideration.
We welcome and encourage applicants who identify with all protected characteristics to apply for our roles. We believe that diversity strengthens our teams and improves our patients' experience. At UHP we aim to create an inclusive workplace and hospital where everyone feels they belong and included.It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date.
If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.Providing false information is an offence & could result in the application being rejected or summary dismissal/police action if an applicant is successful.Please note that if you are successful in your application & accept the position you agree that the Staff Health and Wellbeing Department can access your health records from your current/previous employer in order to check the status of your inoculations & screening tests. This is an automated process & the information will only be used for these purposes prior to your taking up the position with us.For Doctors Roles:Unsolicited CVs and Candidate Profiles/DetailsUniversity Hospitals Plymouth has a commitment to sourcing candidates directly and as such we do not accept speculative CVs from agencies.We do, however, work with a defined list of preferred HTE Framework suppliers who may be invited to support us in sourcing candidates for particular roles.In line with our preferred supplier list, we only pay agency fees where we have a signed agreement in place and an agency has been instructed by a member of the Trust’s Medical Workforce team.We do not pay agency fees where speculative and unsolicited CVs are submitted to the Trust or Trust employees by any other means than the official route above. Where this is not observed the Trust reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and initiate discussions without payment of any agency fee.Any candidate details (whether written or spoken) or CVs that are referred directly will not constitute an introduction.
The Trust will under no circumstances be responsible for any recruitment fees in relation to these contacts.Submission of any unsolicited CVs, candidate’s details and/or proposals to the Trust will not be considered further and will be deemed evidence of full and unlimited acceptance of this Agency Protocol.In order to establish and maintain good working relationships with the Trust’s agency suppliers, we ask that this Protocol is adhered to and thank you for your co-operation.