Medical Laboratory Assistant

Applications are invited for a dynamic, conscientious and enthusiastic person who has experience of working in a busy histology laboratory.

You will be expected to support the medical and scientific staff through a number of duties including portering of samples, making up solutions, filing and retrieving records from archives, assisting at cut-up, running equipment, and tissue processing to paraffin wax embedding and tissue sectioning. Previous experience of working in a histopathology laboratory would be an advantage. All necessary training will be provided. Further education and development is actively encouraged.

This busy department provides a diagnostic service for the regional neuroscience centre on neurosurgical, neurological and psychiatric specimens; is a referral centre, is involved in research investigations and has UKAS ISO15189 accreditation.

The department also provides clinical diagnostic histology services for the London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. Because of this work a wide range of CNS and PNS specimens are handled including muscle, nerve, skin and pituitary biopsies as well as whole brain examinations., To process and embed a range of tissue samples and carry out histological demonstration of tissue constituents using a range of specialised techniques.

Collect specimens from Neuro-theatres reception (on a daily basis) and Central Specimen Reception (as and when required).

Assist the Neuropathologists at surgical and autopsy cut-ups.

Preserve and process organ and tissue samples using paraffin wax processing.

Manipulation of sometimes minute and irreplaceable samples requires highly developed skills in hand-eye co-ordination.

Cut very thin sections of processed samples from autopsy cases and control material using a rotary microtome.

Maintain stocks of chemicals, solutions and consumables, and clean glassware in the histology laboratory.

Maintain tissue block and microscope slide archives.

When required, retrieve microscope slides from the archives and prepare materials for various clinical meetings run by the Department.

To carefully pack and post materials to external departments and to meticulously record and track items sent and received.

You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.