Competency information
Details
Receive, label and store of a wide range of histopathology specimens (includes haematological malignancy tissue samples)
Considerations
- Minimum data set required for identification of samples and the importance of ensuring that this is complete and correct
- Factors affecting sample integrity and appropriate corrective action
- Procedures for handling samples which may contain category 2, 3 and 4 pathogens
- Types and implications of hazards and risks associated with handling of specimens and relevant control measures
- The quality management process that ensures the correct location and storage of documentation and specimens at each stage of the process
- Legal and ethical considerations and requirements in respect of examination of tissue, selection of control material and disposal of specimens
- Understand key point of the Human Tissue Act (UK and Scotland)
- Infection risk from samples and how to deal with fresh tissue samples
- Safe laboratory practices, including principles of decontamination of equipment and work areas
- Specimen acquisition, viability, collection and delivery
- Quality assurance procedures and their application
- Local and national health and safety policies and procedures and their application
- The range of imaging procedures available and their use, including storage of images
- Correct and safe use of imaging equipment and processing of X- rays or photographic films if required
- The dissection of FRCPath category A, B and C specimens
- Principles and practice of fixation
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 | Outcome Receive, prepare and process specimens for solid tumour investigation To include supervised dissection, tissue selection cutting, fixation and staining, as appropriate |
| # 2 | Outcome Receive, prepare and process specimens for haematological malignancy investigation To include sampling methods, correct sample procedures, collection and storage of samples nucleic acid extraction and quality assessment |
| # 3 | Outcome Use microscopic and/or digital imaging examination techniques to investigate specimens |
| # 4 | Outcome Recognise normal cellular morphology of representative tissues and organs and common pathobiological processes associated with them |
| # 5 | Outcome Perform a range of laboratory techniques used in screening and investigating histopathological and haematological malignancy disorders |
| # 6 | Outcome Apply the principles of internal quality control and external quality assessment and draw conclusions about assay performance |
| # | Outcome |