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Job summary

Main area
Histopathology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday (excl B/H), 7.5 hours per day within hours of 07:00 - 17:30)
Job ref
405-24-HS212MLA
Employer
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Dorset County Hospital
Town
Dorchester
Salary
£22,816 - £24,336 Per Annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
03/06/2024 23:59
Interview date
13/06/2024

Employer heading

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant / Biomedical Support Worker

NHS AfC: Band 3

Outstanding Care, Outstanding Careers

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Job overview

The Histopathology Department at Dorset Country Hospital is looking to recruit  a well-motivated, enthusiastic individual to join our friendly team as a Senior Biomedical Support Worker.  The post is permanent, full time on pay band 3, reporting to the Biomedical Scientists and Histopathology Laboratory Manager.

 

Main duties of the job

Applications are invited from enthusiastic and motivated individuals who are committed to the provision of a high-quality service, with a background working in a diagnostic laboratory and ideally have knowledge of Histopathology processes. The successful candidate will be keen to learn and develop their skills in a scientific environment

Working for our organisation

Dorset County Hospital Foundation NHS Trust is the leading provider of healthcare in West Dorset, and the Histopathology department is fully UKAS accredited to ISO15189 (2012) and is well-equipped to provide a full diagnostic service to the acute hospital, as well as the community services in the West Dorset area.   The department has recently implemented a new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) in collaboration with partner laboratories across Dorset (One Dorset Pathology), along with a lab-wide replacement of equipment through a new managed equipment service contract for the Southern Counties Pathology (South 6) network. 

You would be joining a friendly, welcoming team of approximately 25 staff who are committed to the provision of a high-quality service, working closely with Medical Secretaries, Consultant Histopathologist's, Biomedical Support Workers, Associate Practitioners and Biomedical Scientists whilst communicating regularly with other service users in the hospital.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the Job Description / Personal Specification document for a full account of the job description / main responsibilities.

Once fully trained, the post holder would be expected to work in the laboratory environment, assisting with Pathologist and Biomedical Scientist dissection, machine maintenance, stock control, simple tissue embedding and microtomy, along with other laboratory duties to assist in the deliverance of a quality diagnostic service. 

Person specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential criteria
  • Education to GCSE’s or A Levels, including science subject. HNC or NVQ in a science subject will also be considered
  • Evidence of recent employment in a pathology lab – preferably histopathology
  • Willing to undergo relevant training to ensure sound relevant knowledge and understanding of Histology techniques

EXPERIENCE

Essential criteria
  • Recent experience of working as a support worker in an NHS diagnostic laboratory
  • Able to perform technically challenging and manually dextrous procedures such as embedding / microtomy.
  • Evidence of effective communication with all levels of staff
  • Experience in following and adhering to SOP and local policies
  • Evidence of the ability to work to specific deadlines
  • Application of COSHH and Risk Assessments required in the laboratory environment

SKILLS, ABILITIES & KNOWLEDGE

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge and understanding of routine histopathology laboratory processes
  • Ability to accurately and legibly transcribe information
  • Evidence of the ability to communicate verbally and in writing with service users and other members of staff and professionals relevant to Laboratory services
  • Evidence of ability to plan and prioritise own work.
  • Evidence of the ability to supervise and train staff to maintain high standards
  • Evidence of ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Ability to enter data accurately into IT systems
  • Evidence of being able to work under pressure in a calm and methodical manner
  • Ability to know ones limitations and when to seek advice from colleagues or service support, to minimise analytical downtime or to resolve technical problems

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Mrs Samantha Hansford
Job title
Head of Histopathology / Head BMS
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01305 254301
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