Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join Great Western Hospital as a Biomedical Support Worker on a fixed term contract to cover maternity leave for 12 months. 

You will part of the Cellular Pathology team involved in the technical preparation of specimens and performing defined procedures in accordance with standard operating procedures. This will include all aspects of the routine service provided by the department.

Main duties of the job

•  Reception of specimens. Reception includes collection of specimens from pathology reception, data matching between specimen containers and request forms, coding samples, sorting into the correct work stream, and identification of specimens which must be rejected. Rejected samples must be resolved and logged.
• Set up, and clean down of dissection area, ensuring all required equipment/consumables are available and correct cleaning/disinfection methods are used. May involve some exposure to sharps (e.g. scalpel blades, dissection knives).
•  Assist with the process of specimen dissection. This involves writing medical dictation for occasionally long periods of time, and checking patient and specimen identification. 
•  Responsibility for specimen storage and disposal. Store specimens awaiting disposal correctly, following departmental protocol. Identification of specimens ready for disposal. Disposal of specimens in a safe manner, including those requiring non-standard disposal (e.g. POCs).
•  Embedding processed tissue. This involves correctly orientating tissue in order to ensure subsequent diagnostic processes are able to be completed accurately.

Working for our organisation

“Our STAR values – Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect – are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.”