AGENDA FOR CHANGE
NHS JOB EVALUATION SCHEME
JOB DESCRIPTION TEMPLATE
Revised February 2010
1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title: Healthcare Science Associate (Technical)
Reports to (insert job title): Chief Biomedical Scientist (Histology)
Department, Ward or Section: Pathology Department, Histology Section
CHP, Directorate or Corporate Department: Clinical Services
Job Code: SSCLSSRAIGPATH52
No of Job Holders: 2
Effective date of this job description: May 2010
2. JOB PURPOSE
The Healthcare Science Assistant provides technical and analytical support to the Healthcare
Science Practitioners and Consultants in the Pathology department, histology section
supervised by Healthcare Science Associates or by Healthcare Science Practitioners depending
on the needs of the service.
The post holder is primarily responsible for receiving and initial processing of patient samples
received by the laboratory and maintaining all associated electronic and written records using
the laboratory information management system (GE Ultra), and for organising workload to this
effect. This includes receiving infertility samples from patients, and communicating with them
tactfully face to face over the content of request forms.
The post holder is also responsible for the production of high quality Bowel Screening tissue
sections for microscopy, as well as sections from other tissue types.
In addition the post holder will be responsible for carrying out a range of clearly defined
procedures for the histology section including production the monitoring and maintaining stocks
of laboratory reagents and consumables. The post holder will also ensure that diagnostic
equipment is monitored and maintained to meet the standards required for Clinical Pathology
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Accreditation.
3. DIMENSIONS
The post supervises Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) staff within the Pathology
Department’s Common Reception area.
The post mentors MLA staff in areas other than, and including the common Reception area,
particularly for new staff.
The post holders will rotate into all Pathology Sections
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4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
Chief Biomedical
Scientist
Senior Biomedical
Scientist
Healthcare Science
Associate - Technical
Medical Laboratory
Assistant
5. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT OR SECTION
To provide a range of effective, high quality diagnostic services, including Histopathology,
Cytopathology, Electron Microscopy, Molecular Biology and Post Mortems. To provide
professional support and advice to clinicians, hospital departments, regional laboratories and
hospitals, general medical and dental practitioners and outside agencies (e.g. Procurator Fiscal
for medico-legal post mortems.
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6. MAIN TASKS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Specimen Handling
Organises workload to meet the competing priorities of the Cytology and Histology Sections.
Receives specimens into the common reception area, and checks samples and forms ensuring
specimen acceptance criteria are met. Date stamps forms
Receives Andrology samples (infertility and post-vasectomy), making appointments for patients,
and checking request form details with the patients themselves upon arrival to the laboratory.
Triage specimens, assigning the correct specimen codes, arranging work in batches for
specimen accessioning.
Receives Gynaecological screening samples and prepares batches of samples in a timely
manner for further processing.
Assisting at Specimen Dissection
Prepare specimen dissection area for specimen cut up.
Act as a team member with the consultant pathologist or healthcare science practitioner by
recording specimen and tissue block details during the dissection process onto the computer
system. Working quickly while accurately and efficiently is essential.
Data Handling
Ensure patient information and specimen details are valid.
Enter sample information from histopathology, non-cervical cytology, post mortem and medicolegal cases on to computer database.
Make telephone enquiries to other hospitals and practices regarding specimens.
Check for merged and duplicate patient details on the computer system.
Investigate patient details on microfilm archive.
Wax embedding of tissue sample blocks
Embed selected cases of paraffin processed tissue blocks – these will include Bowel Screening
samples and other Gastro-intestinal biopsies.
This includes the fine manipulation of small and valuable tissue samples, e.g. skin biopsies.
Correct orientation of these samples is of paramount importance to the correct diagnosis of
these cases.
Enter all details of embedding and relevant Quality Control comments in the QC log on the
computer.
Maintenance of the embedding centres, ensuring adequate supplies of molten wax in the
machine reservoirs, and absolute cleanliness of the equipment.
Fill out the maintenance logs for this equipment on a daily basis.
Trim the excess wax from the tissue blocks using the heat trimmer.
Microtomy – Main laboratory.
Whilst being mindful of the nature of the tissue, and specimen requirements, to trim into blocks
from selected cases, exposing the full face of tissue, prior to section cutting. This will include the
correct orientation and placement of tissue sections on microscope slides for diagnosis.
Prioritization of section production to meet both deadlines and the needs of the department.
Cutting of selected cases – these will include Bowel Screening and other Gastro-intestinal
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biopsies, post-mortem tissues, resection cases, and some skin biopsies, being mindful of the
requirements for correct tissue thickness, orientation etc, to produce high quality tissue sections
with a low error rate for subsequent diagnosis.
Preparation of tissue sections from “Mega-cassettes”.
Production of control sections as required.
Maintenance of microtomes ensuring absolute cleanliness and accurate orientation.
Filing Duties
File microscope slides, specimens, tissue blocks and data sheets.
Withdraw microscope slides from the file in a timely and accurate manner in readiness for the
Multi-disciplinary team meetings.
Stock Control
Check availability of solutions in the laboratory and prepare as required observing correct
procedures and safety measures.
Dispatch orders for specimen containers to hospitals, clinics and surgeries.
Prepare bulk stock solutions of tissue preservative (Formalin) and disseminate supplies of
formalin to theatres, GP, other hospitals etc.
Maintain stock levels, bringing to the attention of senior staff any low stock levels or deficiencies.
Receipt orders onto the PECOS system and file delivery notes and documentation.
Other Laboratory Duties
Dispose of all reported pathology specimens (Histology and Cytology) after required retention
time by reference to computer list.
Special diagnostics Department.
Responsible for the production of high quality slide labels and accurate labelling of slides prior to
staining protocols, ensuring slides receive the correct treatment for diagnosis.
Responsible for the correct selection of slide pre-treatments.
Undertakes routine machine maintenance.
Responsible for the accurate preparation of reagents, e.g. buffers
7. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY USED
Computer, Printer and Barcode Reader – Input of patient data. Production of patient histories
and reports on specimen status.
Cassette Writer, Label writer – For production of numbered tissue processing cassettes and
labels for microscope slides.
Embedding centres, Wax Oven and Dispenser – General in house maintenance, tissue
embedding
Glassware Washing Machine and Drying Cabinet – To ensure supply of clean laboratory
glassware etc.
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Dissection Benches and Dissection Equipment – To ensure correct adjustment and ready
for use condition.
Microfilm Reader, Photocopier and Fax Machine – For retrieval and production of patient
information.
X-Ray Film Processor – For development of X-ray films.
Fume Cabinet – For removal of toxic fumes.
Dissection Equipment – Making ready for use.
Balances – for the preparation of solutions / dyes
Microtomes – section cutting / preparation
Staining machine / coverslipper – correct maintenance.
ICC staining machine – maintenance and preparation.
8. SYSTEMS
The following systems are in place for maintaining and updating laboratory records and it is the
postholders duty to enter, update and maintain these records as appropriate for the specimen
or procedures and mode of transportation used to process the specimen:
o GE Ultra Centricity laboratory information management system for patient and sample
details
o Patient Administration System (PAS) for retrieval of patient data
o Community Health Index (CHI) for retrieval of patient data
Manual systems:
o Error Log - Recording any discrepancies.
o Equipment Maintenance Logs – Recording details of equipment.
o Slide and Tissue Block Filing Systems – To enable orderly and efficient retrieval of
these items.
9. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK
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The postholder will be expected to work at a high degree of responsibility within the laboratory.
They will be responsible for managing their daily workload and can make decisions regarding
sample suitability against laboratory criteria, seeking advice from a more senior colleague
where necessary.
Participation in quality control and analytical procedures is under the direction of the Healthcare
Science Practitioners.
10. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
The post holder will make decisions regarding sample suitability against laboratory criteria,
seeking advice from a more senior colleague where necessary.
The post holder will be responsible for monitoring the performance of laboratory equipment to
ensure compliance with quality standards. The post holder must decide if any items of
equipment do not meet these standards and take appropriate action, seeking advice from more
senior colleagues when necessary.
11. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
o The remote locality of the laboratory and the unpredictable nature of sample delivery with
variable urgency due to sample type and patient condition are a significant challenge.
The post holder is responsible for this workload and must therefore work to very
demanding timescales to deal with these samples.
o The precious nature of the samples and the potential outcome of failure to manage
suitably viable sample material within tightly defined time limits are a continual challenge.
12. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Internal communications
In the course of their job the post holder will:
o Communicate and liaise with other technical and scientific colleagues within Pathology
and other laboratory disciplines
o Communicates tactfully with potentially upset patients with regards to the receipt of
infertility patients and their partners upon the receipt of sensitive samples.
o Communicate with other healthcare professionals e.g. theatre staff regarding patient
samples and radiology staff for X-rays
o Offer advice about sample suitability for testing
o Liaise with the quality manager in all issues relating to quality, audit and accreditation
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External communications
In the course of their job the post holder will:
o Liaise with colleagues from other laboratory departments regarding sample details
o Liaise with primary care practice staff regarding patient and sample details.
13. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Physical:
Keyboard and computer skills requiring high degree of speed and accuracy when recording
patient details
Long sitting periods at computer
Heavy lifting of supplies.
Handling sharps
Mental:
Concentration required when assisting at specimen cut up. Also at embedding and section
cutting.
Preparation of histology sections requires a high level of concentration and hand/eye coordination.
Dealing with telephone enquiries.
Diligence required when dealing with irreplaceable specimens.
Emotional:
Exposure to body parts
Dealing directly and tactfully with upset patients at specimen reception
Environmental and working conditions:
Exposure to hazardous chemicals and body fluids.
Observation of Standard Operating Procedures and Control Of
Health is required
Substances Hazardous to
14. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
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Essential Requirements for Post:
The post holder will be working at SVQ3 level
A good general education, especially English and Maths at standard grade
A higher grade in a science subject.
Laboratory working experience (e.g. as a medical laboratory assistant, or medical technical
officer)
Computer/keyboard skills.
Ability to work in a flexible manner and as part of a team.
Good communication skills.
15. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
I agree that the above Job Description is an accurate reflection of my
duties and responsibilities at the date of signing.
Job Holder’s Signature:
Date:
Manager’s Signature:
Date:
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