Job Description

A Healthcare Science Assistant (HCSA) is part of a clinical support team whose purpose is to provide timely and accurate high quality scientific information that will assist service users from the hospital and community, in the establishment of a clinical diagnosis and monitoring of patient treatment. The HSA will use practical skills to carry out a variety of laboratory duties including reception and data entry of requests received and some basic pathological tests under the supervision and guidance of a Biomedical Scientist. To assist in the preparation of specimens for analysis, including booking in patient and specimen details, storing, retrieving and disposing of specimens. To carry out, under supervision, some laboratory procedures and the operation of laboratory equipment e.g.



microtome, Faxitron X ray machine, cassette labelling machine, slide staining machine. Label-stained microscope slides and match them to correct request form Match labelled tissue cassettes with request form. Filing and retrieval of slides and tissue blocks both in the laboratory and at the off- site archive. Record on request form dictated specimen details during the dissection of tissue samples by medical and scientific staff.



To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for you, colleagues and visitors. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non- compliances to a senior member of staff. Ensure the risk of infection to yourself, colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors is minimised by: o being familiar with, and adhering to Trust policies and guidance on infection prevention and controlo attending Trust Induction Programme(s) and statutory education programmes in infection prevention and controlo including infection prevention and control as an integral part of your continuous personal/professional developmento taking personal responsibility so far as is reasonably practicable, in helping ensure that effective prevention and control of health care acquired infections is embedded into everyday practice and applied consistently by you and your colleagues