Job Description and Person Specification
Vacancy Number: 008811CM
Job Description
School/Department:
Cancer Research UK Clinical Centre, Cancer Sciences Division,
School of Medicine.
Post Title:
Tissue Bank Technician
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Tissue Bank Manager
Divisional Laboratory Manager
Posts Responsible to (and Level):
Posts Responsible for (and Level):
Job Purpose:
To coordinate and supervise the collection, preparation, storage and distribution of ethically
approved human tissue within the University of Southampton Cancer Sciences Tissue Bank
for various local research projects ensuring all regulatory requirements are met with regards
to ethics, consent and release (HTA).
To provide a technical support service for various Clinical trial/studies within the division
(sampling preps, paperwork collation, distribution) in line with specific ethically approved
protocols/procedures in collaboration with Senior Research Fellow/suitable Principle
Investigator (PI).
To provide cover in Tissue Bank/GMP Production Manager absence to include strict
adherence to regulatory requirements, dealing with immediate senior management requests
and queries, to act as bank representative at Tissue Bank Steering group & Translational
Research divisional meetings and to be first point of call for Tissue Bank Technicians which
may include basic training requirements or monitoring.
1
Key Accountabilities/Primary Responsibilities (6-10 bullet points maximum)
 Coordinate the organisation, collection, consent retrieval, sample prep,
storage and distribution of biological materials for The Cancer Sciences
Tissue Bank in line with Departmental HTA Research Licence No 12009
and Human Tissue Authority regulations.
 Coordinate and organise the collection, consent retrieval (where suitable),
sample prep, storage and distribution of various local Clinical Trial
materials in line with clinical trial/study protocol under direction/ in
collaboration with appropriate Principle Investigator (PI).
 Responsible for the writing and updating/reviewing (Tissue Bank
Manager to approve) of all Tissue Bank SOPs and FORMS for use within
the divisional quality system (QPulse).
 Responsible for retrieval of consent forms via appropriate research nurse,
to provide regular updates (monthly) to aid nurse collection.
 To release stored materials in line with licence agreements/HTA
regulations (under the direction of the HTA PD – currently Tissue Bank
Manager).
 Responsible for keeping full and formal written documentation in line
with GCP for clinical trial preps according to specific protocol and HTA
requirements and SOPs for bank sampling. To fully update current
databases and be fully involved in the implementation of the new
database for the purposes of sample tracking.
 To provide support for the self audit quality process and assist in the
collation of data for the yearly tissue bank report/ECMC grant
submission.
 Ensure compliance with all divisional health and safety requirements.
% Time
35
30
10
5
20
Ongoing
Ongoing
Internal & External Relationships: (nature & purpose of relationships)




To liaise closely with the Tissue Bank Manager with regards to all banking matters.
To liaise closely with the QA Manager with regards to SOP requirements.
To sustain good working relations with all SUHT staff to include Research Nurses,
Theatre, Histology, ward staff and medics.
To keep communication open and clear for all internal academic staff to include
research fellow, consultant (PIs), researchers and divisional management.
Special Requirements:
Must be willing to work with a variety of biological materials.
Must be willing to enter surgical theatre to obtain tissue from freshly excised material.
Will be required to adhere to all safety requirements during the use of liquid nitrogen vapour
and liquid phases.
May be required to work out of hours and occasional weekend.
Must be aware and comply with legal responsibilities associated with this post- (HTA) Human
Tissue Authority Research Licence.
2
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
GCSE’s, NVQ 2 or
equivalent plus proven
work experience in a
suitable field
HNC, 2 A-Level’s one
of which must be in
Science
How to be
assessed
Application
/ CV
Degree in a suitable
field of science or
equivalent
Experience:
Previous relevant work
experience within a
laboratory technical role
Knowledge of and
training in GLP / GCP
or similar
Application
/ CV
Working under SOPs /
within a quality
management system
Knowledge of HTA
Licensing and Clinical
Trial Regulations
Application
/ CV
Able to demonstrate a
good understanding of
technical processes
relating to work area.
Planning and Organising:
Experience of organising
processes or procedures
Ability to positively
influence processes to
ensure compliance
Problem Solving and
Initiative:
Able to offer or accept
appropriate level of
assistance, to allow for
effective progress.
Propose initiatives and
ideas with the ability
to positively
accept/acknowledge or
implement new
proposals.
Proven organisational
skills.
Management and
Teamwork:
Communicating and
Influencing:
Able to effectively
coordinate and manage
each task undertaken.
To be a positive
influence on other
members of the team
Effective / influencing
communication skills
across a diverse range
of sectors
3
Able to positively
contribute to the
management and
effective running of
systems and
procedures
Ability to effectively
liaise with senior
management staff,
internal and external
Interview
and
probation
Interview
and
Probation
Interview
and
Probation
Interview
and
Probation
Experience of providing
clear, accurate and
concise written
documentation
Other Skills and
Behaviours:
Experience of
providing advice on
technical procedures
to colleagues and
external customers.
Meticulous attention to
detail in all work
undertaken
Interview
and
probation
Able to identify and
solve problems
Special Requirements:
IT skills including data
input (databases)
Willing and able to work
with human biologicals
Willing and able to work
with liquid nitrogen
vapour and liquid
phases
Interview
and
Probation
Willing to attend any
necessary training
courses/seminars
related to the post.
FOR SCHOOL/SERVICE USE ONLY
Which post does this job report to
Is this post a Line Manager?
If yes, which posts directly report into it?
Post 1
Post 2
Post 3
Post 4
Post 5
Post 6
Post 7
Post 8
Please add additional rows as required
Resource Link Post Number
RJ04002406
Yes
No
Resource Link Post Number
4
x