Permanent Position

Genomics

Band 6, 37.5hours per week, full time

In response to NHS Englands recent Strategy and Service Specification for the future of Genomics services in England, Newcastle Teaching Hospitals, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield Childrens Trust and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals have formed the North East and Yorkshire Genomics Laboratory Hub an exciting collaboration to provide services for Genomics across Yorkshire and Humber and the North. The combined size of our geography makes this the largest collaboration in the country with the Trusts offering a range of both general and specialist hospital services with excellent clinical outcomes for patients. We have an international reputation for excellence in specialist care, research and academic training.

We are looking to recruit a number of permanent Band 6 Health Science Practitioner specialists (Senior Genetic Technologist) to work at North East and Yorkshire Genomic Laboratory Hub (NEY GLH) Central Laboratory based at St Jamess University Hospital in Leeds:

Main duties of the job

We are looking to recruit a number of permanent Band 6 Health Science Practitioner specialists (Senior Genetic Technologist) to work at North East and Yorkshire Genomic Laboratory Hub (NEY GLH) Central Laboratory based at St Jamess University Hospital in Leeds:

Applicants should have a first degree in a Biological Science subject with a considerable Genomics or Molecular Biology content, at least 3 years relevant experience ideally in a diagnostic laboratory and have completed registration with the AHCS or HCPC as a Genetic Technologist or Biomedical Scientist. Experience of service development and troubleshooting and/or management experience including attendance management and procurement would be an advantage.

The successful candidate will need to work in a fast-paced environment, completing work at short notice and delivering the tight deadlines. This role requires excellent communication skills, good manual dexterity and a high level of attention to detail. By working to strict deadlines within established systems and procedures, the successful applicant will demonstrate excellent organisational skills, technical skill and flexibility. The post holder should have the ability to use their initiative and be able to work independently and as part of a team.

About us

The post holder will be required to work 37.5 hours per week full-time and contribute to out-of-hours rotas including weekends and bank holidays as required.

For further enquiries or a confidential discussion please contact Helen Thomas Helen.thomas40@nhs.net

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

To perform and interpret a range of specialist genetic tests, both routine and complex. Lead a team of Healthcare Science Assistants and/or Practitioners in a specialist technical work area. Planning workloads and troubleshooting problems with assays and complex equipment. Responsible for training within area.

Line manager for Healthcare Science Assistants and/or Practitioners both within and outside team.

Responsible for the good order of the laboratory and its equipment, stock control and for the maintenance of any associated documentation.

JOB DIMENSIONS

The Leeds Genetics Laboratory at St Jamess University Hospital provides a diagnostic laboratory service to the population of Yorkshire and Humber. Specialist diagnostic genetic services are provided at a national and international level. The service is provided by over 70 staff, consisting of Heathcare Scientists, Healthcare Science Practitioners, Assistants and administrative staff. The laboratory processes over 25,000 genetics samples per year, and generates around 20,000 reports, many of which are highly complex.

The postholder will lead one of the specialist technical areas within the laboratory, managing a team of between 5-8 technical staff to perform, analyse and interpret a range of genetic tests, both routine and complex. They would be responsible for overseeing the workload of the team, planning rotas and making adjustments according to clinical priorities.

They will develop policies within their area and ensure documentation and records in their area updated and compliant with accreditation requirements (UKAS).

Responsible as line manager for the Healthcare Science Practitioners and Healthcare Science Assistants both within and outside their team.

They will oversee equipment maintenance and reagent stock control system and ordering via the Trust computerised system.

The post holder will communicate on a daily basis with Healthcare Scientists to ensure quality and appropriateness of tests. Working closely with suppliers, the post holder would be expected to develop and troubleshoot complex diagnostic processes, comparing options and providing advice on equipment purchases up to �200,000.

The post holder will independently discuss, advise and train technical and scientific colleagues with regard to diagnostic processes.

The post holder may hold one or more of the following key roles: Laboratory Health and Safety Officer, DSE assessor, Manual Handling Key Trainer, COSHH officer. This will involve creating and reviewing the laboratorys risk assessments, coordinating incident reporting relating to Health and Safety issues and ensuring that the laboratory complies with current safety regulations.

There will be a close day-to-day working relationship with the Translational Genomics Unit, including shared use of space, equipment and other facilities. The post holder will be involved in research and development activities undertaken within the department, for example preparation of samples for clinical trials.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

ESSENTIAL

First Degree in a Biological Subject with a genetics component, or equivalent level of knowledge.

Registration with Academy of Healthcare Science (healthcare science practitioner) or HCPC (biomedical scientist)

Significant experience in a laboratory environment.

Have attended supply based analyser training course(s), as appropriate e.g. Applied Biosystems 3100 analyser.

Specialist expertise in a range of routine and more complex clinical genetic methods (manual and automated) analysis and interpretation of results using specialist software, quality assurance and problem solving underpinned with both theoretical knowledge and experience.

Ability to plan workloads of team for specialist area, ensuring cover and prioritising urgent work.

Good hand eye co-ordination for fine manipulation of instrumentation.

Ability to use standard software packages including inventory, purchasing and laboratory computer analysis systems

Take personal responsibility for own decisions and advice.

Maintain self-control in difficult and challenging situations.

Ability to maintain concentration on unpredictable activities despite frequent interruptions.

Good oral and written communication skills with ability to explain complex technical concepts and issues.

Able to take control of situation when more junior staff are in difficulty.

Ability to maintain effective communication networks with scientific, technical and managerial colleagues within the department, within and outside the Trust.

Ability to lead and coordinate internal audit activities, present reports and initiate corrective action.

Ability to provide leadership within the context of quality and implementation of change.

DESIRABLE

Higher degree eg. MSc or PhD

Previous experience of work in a NHS diagnostic genetics technical post. An understanding of managerial processes within the Trust and NHS.

An understanding of Trust policies and procedures and how they relate to the staff and service of the department.

Experience of research studies

An understanding of national, professional and NHS guidelines relating to service provision and quality.

An in-depth understanding of current health and safety procedures and regulations

Knowledge of financial management, resource allocation and procurement.

THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centred

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values

CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

Patient orientation: Relates activities back to patient care and maintains patient confidentiality

Quality focus: Maintenance of highest standards, particularly in laboratory tests, with reference to Internal Audit and Laboratory Accreditation. Responds to mistakes in a way that leads to learning and service improvement.

Attention to detail: Observation of high laboratory standards operating according to up to date Standard Operating Procedures

Open to change: Readiness to respond in a timely fashion to technological and procedural changes in this rapidly changing field.

Communication: Ability to explain highly complex technical information to clinical scientists and healthcare practitioners.

Communication: Ability to communicate change effectively to staff and use tact and persuasive skills to motivate team

CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Extensive knowledge of routine and specialised analytical laboratory methods, quality assurance and problem solving.

In-depth knowledge of specified range of genetic testing, including routine and more specialised analytical methods, and an understanding of clinical molecular genetics.

In depth knowledge of complex equipment used within genetics laboratory, for example genetic analysers, robotics and next generation sequencers. .

Knowledge and use of software packages for genetic analysis.

In depth knowledge of current health, safety, welfare and other statutory regulation

Knowledge of resource allocation and procurement.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical, Diagnostic and Laboratory

Lead a technical team for the organisation, planning and prioritisation of patient testing for a technical areas including dealing with unpredictable events such as analysis for pre-natal diagnosis.

Handling telephone enquiries from consultants, doctors and nurses involving patient queries and requests for test results. The post holder would be expected to judge when to pass an enquiry on to the relevant Clinical Scientist.

Performing routine and more complex molecular and cytogenetic analyses. This will include the use of the following routine and specialised analytical laboratory techniques: NGS sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, fluorescent sequencing and karyotyping. All will require dexterity as they involve repetitive micro-pipetting of small accurately measured volumes, gel manipulation or use of automated analysers.

Perform routine processing of samples in a class ii microbiological safety cabinet and working to containment level 2+

The post holder is responsible for maintaining paper and computer records of diagnostic data including the entry of data in to the Patient Management system e.g. test requirements, worksheets, test results, referral details for research project samples.

Acting as Specialist Healthcare Practitioner in one or more nominated clinical technical areas the post holder is expected to be able to troubleshoot specialised analytical laboratory techniques, in addition to the more routine analytical laboratory techniques. The post holder would be expected to develop and update standard operating procedures, advise and train to other staff and evaluate of new/replacement equipment.

Ability to use laboratory computer analysis systems involved in genetic diagnosis to process laboratory data, compare results and interpret complex data in addition to the use of more standard software packages.

The post holder would be expected to undertake the preparation of automated patient reports using the Patient Management System, prior to submission to Clinical Scientists, for one or more nominated clinical technical areas.

Participate in the routine internal audit requirements of the laboratory

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• First Degree in a Biological subject with a Genetics Component, or equivalent level of knowledge
• Registered in the speciality of genetics with the Academy of Healthcare Science (AHCS) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Desirable

• Higher degree

Experience

Essential

• Significant previous experience in a laboratory technical post
• Knowledge of routine and more complex analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving

Desirable<
Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

C9298-PATH-219