Permanent Position

Genomics

Band 5, 37.5hours per week, full time

We are looking to recruit permanent Band 5 Health Science Practitioners (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 experience of a broad range of diagnostic techniques, including cell culture, FISH, DNA extraction, PCR, pyrosequencing and NGS. Ideally applicants will have previous experience in a diagnostic laboratory and have completed or be working towards registration with the AHCS or HCPC.

Main duties of the job

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.

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.

About us

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.

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

Deliver a high quality diagnostic genetic laboratory service through undertaking clinical technical investigations

Lead a nominated technical area by providing specialist skills and knowledge with regard to diagnostic processes, equipment operation and audit.

Support the training of, and supervision of staff, including Healthcare Science Practitioners and Biomedical Support Workers.

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 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 post holder will undertake a variety of clinical technical investigations working with Healthcare Scientists to ensure quality and appropriateness of tests. The post holder may be asked to participate in the development of new diagnostic investigations. Acting as lead in a nominated technical area, the post holder will train technical colleagues with regard to diagnostic processes. The post holder will undertake the quality assurance tasks as required to maintain the laboratorys accreditation status.

Genetic Technologists may be required to participate in the DNA technical duty rota. They will also undertake receipt of deliveries arriving into the laboratory including entering audit details into the laboratorys computerised chemical inventory system. Genetic technologists will also participate in the quarterly Regional Supplies Centre ordering rota where they will provide some of the basic consumables of the laboratory via access to a budget of around �5000 pa. The post holder may be required to help support the training of other technical staff with regard to both of the above rotational areas.

There will be close day-to-day working relationship with Translational Genomics Unit, including shared use of space, equipment and other facilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

ESSENTIAL

Degree in a Science subject, or equivalent level of knowledge.

Previous experience in a laboratory environment (including training period).

Knowledge of routine and more complex analytical laboratory methods, quality assurance and problem solving.

Have attained the basic competencies in a range of techniques used in a molecular genetics laboratory.

Analytical (technical) skills and ability to analyse situations.

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.

Ability to maintain concentration despite occasional interruptions.

Good oral and written communication skills.

Ability to maintain effective networks with scientific and technical colleagues within the department.

DESIRABLE

Completion of Modernising Scientific Careers Practitioner training programme in genetics

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

Previous experience of work in a NHS diagnostic genetics laboratory technical post.

Knowledge of clinical molecular genetics and diagnostic molecular genetic testing including routine and more specialised analytical methods.

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. Respond to mistakes in a way that leads to learning and service improvement.

Attention to detail: Observance 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 change in this rapidly changing field.

Demonstration of honesty, integrity, self-confidence and self-control.

CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

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

Knowledge of specified range of diagnostic genetic testing and an understanding of clinical genetics.

Knowledge of equipment used for automated genetic analysis.

Knowledge of IT resources in relation to genetic diagnosis and the use standard software packages.

Understanding of health and safety procedures.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical, Diagnostic and Laboratory

Assist Clinical Scientists with the organisation and planning of patient testing in a nominated clinical technical area 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 molecular and cytogenetic analyses. This will include the use of the following routine analytical laboratory techniques: polymerase chain reaction, fluorescent sequencing, fluorescent mutation detection methods and restriction digests. All require dexterity as they involve repetitive micropipetting 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+.

Maintain a high level of accuracy and reliability in defined routine, preparative and associated procedures.

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.

Acting as lead Genetic Technologist in a nominated clinical technical area 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 provide training to other staff, participate in the evaluation of new/replacement equipment/reagents and may participate in the development of diagnostic techniques for a nominated clinical technical area.

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

Participate in the routine internal audit requirements of the laboratory including checking tube alignments for members of staff prior to tube transfers e.g. during polymerase chain reaction tests.

Preparation and running of agarose/acrylamide gels. This involves regularly work with carcinogens (e.g. ethidium bromide).

Assist with the preparation of diagnostic and research patient samples for dispatch to other laboratories, including retrieval from storage, safe packaging and maintenance of associated paper and computer records.

Managerial

The post holder would be expected to supervise staff in a nominated clinical technical area as appropriate.

Acting as lead in their nominated technical area, the post holder will undertake the annual quality assurance tasks for equipment, including the maintenance of computer and paper records required for maintaining the laboratorys Clinical Pathology Accreditation status.

Suggest changes to Standard Operating Procedures, generally within the laboratory and more specifically to a particular nominated clinical technical area.

Teaching and Training

Newly appointed Genetic Technologists would be expected to be actively working towards the successful attainment of the laboratorys core competencies and gaining the skills, knowledge and other attributes required to become a lead for a nominated clinical technical area.Opportunity to attend weekly literature and laboratory reviews.

Opportunity to attend relevant scientific conferences and workshops.

Health and Safety/Risk Management

All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.

Infection Control

The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.

Equality and Diversity

The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience in a laboratory environment (including training period).
• Have attained the basic competencies in a range of techniques used in a genetics laboratory
• Knowledge of routine and more complex analytical laboratory methods, quality assurance and problem solving
• Knowledge of a range of laboratory genetic testing including the routine analytical methods employed
• Analytical and interpretative skills and ability to analyse a range of situations e.g. diagnostic test results

Desirable

• Experience in a previous diagnostic genetics laboratory technical post
• Completion of Modernising Scientific Careers Practitioner training programme in genetics
• Knowledge of clinical genetics

Qualifications

Essential

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

C9298-PATH-226