An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic person to join the central laboratory of the Yorkshire and North East Genomic Laboratory Hub. The role will be based within the Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (HMDS), St James Hospital, Leeds with a focus on haemato-oncology molecular work.

The department is part of a NHS Genomics Network of Excellence doing work to optimise the genomic investigations offered to patients with lymphoma. This fixed term role would be suitable for candidates looking for experience in a research-related role which will offer the opportunity to be part of this exciting project to improve patient outcomes.

This is an opportunity to become part of a highly successful department with extensive facilities, high levels of scientific expertise and a national/international reputation for developments of assays/methodologies within a clinical trial/R& D setting which are then translated into routine practice.

Expected Shortlisting Date

06/09/2024

Planned Interview Date

13/09/2024

Main duties of the job

The purpose of this role is to contribute to the development and delivery of a high-quality diagnostic service. The successful candidate will be required to deliver a broad range of complex and specialised scientific work from raw data requiring highly skilled performance. There will be a relatively high level of individual responsibility and freedom to act applied to a variety of situations with or without scientific/technical support.

Applicants should be state registered as a biomedical scientist with the HCPC and have the IBMS Specialist portfolio (or MSc equivalent). Applications may also be considered from candidates working towards the IBMS Specialist Portfoilo (with at least 50% completed). Previous experience of working within a molecular laboratory is also essential.

About us

HMDS provides a specialist service for the diagnosis of blood cancers and is part of the central laboratory for the Yorkshire and North East Genomic Laboratory Hub. The laboratory is the largest of its type in the United Kingdom with a high throughput of specimens including peripheral blood, bone marrow and tissue biopsies. The department also has a strong research programme and there will also be opportunity to be involved in projects related to research and clinical trials. This post provides the opportunity to join this successful team at the forefront of diagnostic services.

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

To work as part of a team of Healthcare Scientists and Assistants and/or Practitioners within the Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (HMDS) based within The St James Institute of Oncology, Bexley Wing.

To undertake research and development work within the department as directed by the senior scientific team.

To research scientific/medical information including complex literature searches.

To co-ordinate, perform and report results for clinical trial samples and liaise with the Clinical Trials Management Group, clinical trials unit staff and trial managers/co-ordinators.

To perform and interpret a range of specialist tests, both routine and complex using standard operating procedures (SOPs)

To plan workloads and troubleshoot problems with assays and complex equipment.

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

Work within the Departmental and Trusts policies and procedures.

Work to good clinical laboratory practice (GCLP) and good clinical practice (GCP) guidance.

3. JOB DIMENSIONS

Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (HMDS) has a committed focus to developing novel laboratory assays to improve diagnosis and monitoring of haematological malignancies and the clinical trials and associated translational research supported by the department are a key part of the work within this role.

The department currently provides central laboratory services for more than 50 national clinical trials and also provides laboratory support for clinical trials offered to local patients within Clinical Haematology. Laboratory investigations are becoming increasing important in randomisation and monitoring of patients in clinical trials, with many trials now relying on results from these investigations to make therapeutic decisions. Data from the laboratory also still plays a vital role in examining trial outcome with assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD) and genomics both well established as important factors when considering trial outcomes. Clinical trials support is provided to four main academic trials units as well as many commercial trial sponsors and the number of patients in a trial can range from < 10 to 2,000+.

The post holder will develop technical and analytical skills to interpret and discuss laboratory results with other scientists, clinicians, consultants and clinical trial unit staff. They will work both as part of a team and independently within the discipline working closely with scientific and clinical colleagues. They will be expected to be able to plan their own workload to ensure delivery of clinical trial results and progression of research and development activities.

The postholder will be required to work in a number of different sections of the laboratory in order to full fill the required research work. Specific duties will depend on the section to which the postholder is working and the type of testing being undertaken. The postholder will be personally responsible for his/her own training, subject to the supervision and direction of senior staff.

5. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Qualifications

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

Masters level degree or equivalent in a healthcare or technology related subject (desirable)

Recognised qualification in the English language

Other relevant research training or experience

Experience

Experience of working within a healthcare laboratory

Experience of working as part of a team

Experience of working independently

Experience of project work

Experience of working to milestones

Experience of delivering on structured goals in short and intermediate timeframes

Experience of producing high quality reports in a timely way

Experience in writing and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Experience of dealing with highly complex situations

Experience of providing and receiving highly complex information

Experience of working to GCLP (desirable)

Skills

Research skills

Leadership skills (desirable)

Presentation skills

Project management (desirable)

Advanced keyboard and information technology skills

Ability to write for publication

Advanced communication skills, with the ability to deal with highly complex situations

Ability to provide and receive highly complex information

Problem solving approach where a number of options are available.

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.

Knowledge

Knowledge of the health service agenda

Knowledge and awareness of local and national trends in research

Knowledge of a range of routine and more complex laboratory methods (manual and automated)

Knowledge of haematological malignancy diagnosis

Understanding of clinical trials

Analysis and interpretation of results using specialist software, quality assurance and problem solving underpinned with both theoretical knowledge and experience.

Knowledge of standard software packages including inventory, purchasing and laboratory computer analysis systems

Knowledge of internal and external audit activities and quality.

Understanding of Health and Safety procedures / issues.

Understand the data protection legislation and the need for confidentiality and security of results.

Personal Attributes

Excellent interpersonal skills

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.

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

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

Flexible, adaptable, capable of lateral thinking.

CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

CORE VALUES

Commitment to delivering high quality evidence based research

Commitment to working in a multi-disciplinary environment

Commitment to research, valuing the contribution of all team members, encouraging a positive and creative working environment

Commitment to own personal and professional development and to the development of others

CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

Highly developed communication skills

Leadership skills (desirable)

Research skills

Organisational and time management skills

Understanding of research in a healthcare setting research conscious

Team player

Conflict management

Personal resilience

Uses initiative to resolve issues within their own control

Ability to act professionally at all times

IT skills

Presentation skills

8. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Understanding of relevant National Service Frameworks and The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines

Understanding of organisational structures

Understanding of Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust guidelines and policies

Knowledge of the discipline and its relationship to the clinical setting.

Understands the aetiology of disorders within the discipline.

Knows the range of scientific investigations available within the discipline.

Understands the importance of validation, quality assurance and quality control.

Understands the importance of clinical audit and the provision of effective services.

Knows and applies local Health and Safety policy.

Knows and understands the relevant Acts / Regulations / Guidelines and organisational policies.

Knowledge of strategies and methods used in the discipline

Understands and effectively and safely uses relevant equipment.

9. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Laboratory and Research

Receive, process and analyse samples submitted to the department for analysis, employing relevant procedures, maintaining accurate records and providing an accurate interpretation of the results obtained.

Develop and conduct high-quality research, under appropriate supervision and guidance

Take responsibility for the day-to-day running of your research and clinical trial commitments

Maintain awareness of, and adhere to, all relevant codes of practice, Health & Safety procedures and operational policies, and inform the safety officer of any hazards or potential risks encountered.

Lead on all aspects of developing the study including but not limited to, the methods, data collection, database entry and data analysis

Make and contribute to decisions on day-to-day matters that affect your own work and that of the team

Maintain paper and computer records of 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.

When using expensive laboratory equipment, be responsible for the safe use and maintenance.

Work according to Standard Operating Procedures as required by laboratory accreditation (Clinical Pathology Accreditation UK Ltd).

Present your research data contribute fully to the activities of the multidisciplinary team

Keep abreast and maintain a good working knowledge of the relevant literature and current developments in the field of the project

Write up the results of your work, leading to high quality publications in peer-reviewed journals, as appropriate

Facilitate the dissemination of study findings

Build internal and external contacts and participate in networks for the exchange of information and for future collaboration

Person Specification

Other Criteria

Essential

• Research skills
• Presentation skills
• Advanced keyboard and IT skills
• Ability and willingness to travel locally and Internationally
• Ability to write for publication
• Leadership skills (desirable)
• Project management (desirable)

Qualifications

Essential

• First degree in a Biological Subject with a genetics component, or equivalent level of knowledge
• Recognised qualification (or equivalent) in the English language

Desirable

• Good Clinical Practice training and certificate Masters degree or equivalent experience in a healthcare or technology subject

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Lateral thinking critical thinking
• Team player
• player Flexible
• Ability to work with diverse staff groups
• Personal resilience
• Proficient communicator

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of NHS research infrastructure
• knowledge of local and national trends in research
• Understanding of research function and support systems
• Experience of producing high quality reports in a timely way
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