Tissue Coordinator / Laboratory Assistant and Theatre Administrator

NHS; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A public healthcare provider in Birmingham is seeking a Tissue Coordinator / Laboratory Assistant to manage tissue activities and provide administrative support to the Theatre Service. The role requires compliance with the Human Tissue Act, exceptional organizational skills, and experience in clinical environments including NHS. The ideal candidate will contribute to efficient clinical operations and maintain detailed records.

Qualifications

• Experience of using a computer including Microsoft Office Packages, Windows, Word, spreadsheets, databases.
• Data inputting experience.
• Experience in tissue banking.
• Experience working in a clinical environment.
• Experience within the NHS.

Responsibilities

• Ensure strict legal compliance with the Human Tissue Act 2004.
• Manage full life-cycle of human tissue coding, receipt, storage, tracking, and disposal.
• Maintain accurate paperwork and electronic records for complete traceability.
• Monitor storage equipment and implement remedial actions.
• Audit tissue stock levels and order transplant tissues.
• Provide administrative support to the Theatre Service and Managers.

Skills

Computer skills

Data inputting

Tissue banking

Clinical environment experience

NHS experience

Teamwork

Time management

Organizational skills

Education

Grade C GCSE in Maths and English or equivalent

RSA qualification in Business Administration

Tools

Microsoft Office Packages

Spreadsheets

Databases

Job description

Tissue Coordinator / Laboratory Assistant and Theatre Administrator

This is a unique, pivotal, and complex Band 3 role that spans both laboratory governance and theatre administration within the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre (BMEC).

The primary focus is to ensure legal compliance for all human tissue activities under the Human Tissue Act 2004 and the HTA Licence held by BMEC. This involves meticulous tissue coordination, traceability, and archiving, as well as acting as the co-ordinator for the Donor Eye Retrieval Service.

In addition, the post holder will provide comprehensive and efficient administrative support to the Theatre Service and Managers, assisting with the administrative workload to ensure smooth clinical operations.

The role requires exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach, as you will be operating under the guidance of the HTA Designated Individual and Theatre Managers.

Main duties of the job

• Ensure strict legal compliance with theHuman Tissue Act 2004 and the BMEC HTA Licence.

Manage the full life‑cycle of human tissue: coding, receipt, storage, tracking, and safe disposal.

Maintain accurate paperwork and electronic records for complete traceability of tissues used for transplantation and research.

Monitor specialist storage equipment (e.g., -80°C freezers) and implement immediate remedial actions as needed.

Manage and audit tissue stock levels and order transplant tissues.

Provide comprehensive, efficient, and confidential administrative support to the Theatre Service and Theatre Managers.

Assist directly with the administrative workload, using initiative and judgment to manage matters independently.

Handle general telephone enquiries from staff and medical colleagues.

About us

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWB) serves Birmingham and the Black Country - one of the country's most culturally diverse areas. It's a friendly and welcoming place - a place where you can belong, and a place where you can grow.

We care for our patients, we care about our population, and we care about our people.

Our values - Ambition, Respect and Compassion - are at the heart of who we are. They guide us every step of the way; how we work with each other, and how we look after our patients and their families; how we respect and value the rich diversity of our team and our community.

Our Trust has always aspired to be more than a hospital, more than a healthcare provider. Our purpose is "Improve the Life Chances and Health Outcomes of our Population." It is what inspires, drives, and unites us every day. It's what makes us unique.

We want working at SWB to feel like more than just a job. We want our Trust to be a place where you can feel you belong. A place where you feel happy, safe, and rewarded. A place where you can develop your career in whatever way you choose. When we say we're 'with you all the way' we want you to know that we mean it. Visit the SWB website to find out more about our ambitions and people plans.

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role, please see the attached Job Description and Personal Specification.

Person Specification

Experience

• oExperience of using a computer, including Microsoft Office Packages, Windows, Word, spreadsheets, databases
• oData inputting experience.
• oTissue banking experience
• oExperience of working in a clinical environment
• oNHS experience

Qualifications

• oGood standard of education. E.g. Grade C GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English. Numerate.
• oLiterate.
• oRSA qualification in Business Administration or equivalent experience.

Personal Qualities

• oAble to work as part of a team.
• oAble to maintain diaries effectively oTime management , prioritisation and organisation skills
• oAble to produce good quality letters and other written documentation
• o Prioritisation and organisation skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.