On 1st February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals became part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT) - a truly once in a generation development. Together, we are taking our first steps towards our vision of creating a brand-new centre of excellence, which will be the global leader in the research into and treatment of heart and lung disease in patients from pre-birth to old age. We are developing some exciting plans and we want you to join us - so come and help to change the shape of healthcare for our heart and lung patients world-wide.

Main duties of the job

A maternity cover vacancy has arisen for a Biobank Sample Coordinator in the Heart, Lung and Critical Care (HLCC) Biobank, part of the Clinical Research Facility (CRF) of GSTT based in Chelsea, London. The CRF aims to increase the number of early phase trials in advanced lung diseases. The CRF comprises several core facilities including Sample Processing Laboratory (SPL), Heart, Lung and Critical Care (HLCC) Biobank, and Lung Function. Together these units conduct translational clinical research, in the form of commercial and academic clinical trials and research studies.

Responsibilities include seeking consent from surgical patients for tissue donation. Sample processing, tracking and distribution of samples to research groups. All activities will be carried out in accordance with the Human Tissue Act 2004 and local research governance policies. The Biobank Sample Coordinator will be required to liaise with internal and external customers, including patients, researchers and commercial organisations.

This is a fixed-term maternity cover post for 12 months.

Should you require any further information regarding this post please contact Harshil Bhayani via email on H.Bhayani@rbht.nhs.uk

About us

Trust mission To be the leading national and international centre for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with heart and lung disease, creating and disseminating knowledge through research and education

Core behaviours for all Trust staff

o Act with honesty and integrity at all timeso Demonstrate respect for others and value diversityo Focus on the patient and internal and external customer at all timeso Make an active contribution to developing the serviceo Learn from and share experience and knowledgeo Keep others informed of issues of importance and relevanceo Consciously review mistakes and successes to improve performanceo Act as ambassadors for their directorate and the Trusto Be aware of the impact of their own behaviour on otherso Be discreet and aware of issues requiring confidentiality

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Heart, Lung and Critical Care Clinical Group, part of Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, is licenced by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) for the collection, storage and distribution of biological specimens and data for research. This is carried out by the Heart, Lung and Critical Care (HLCC) Biobank (hereafter called the Biobank).

Responsibilities include the following activities:

• Seek consent from patients, ensuring the correct consent procedure is followed
• Collect samples from theatres, outpatients, wards as required.
• Retrieve samples from the Diagnostic Archive.
• Process samples.
• Distribute samples to researchers.
• Collect and record clinical data onto specified databases.
• Liaise with external Biobank off-site facility.
• Provide out of hours on-call cover for freezer breakdown.
• Work across two hospital sites as required

Duties and Responsibilities

• Communication is instrumental to the effective collection, storage and use of samples. The post-holder will:
  • Seek informed consent from patients, ensuring the correct consent procedure is followed.
  • Provide general verbal information to patients and families about the Biobank.
  • Liaise with clinical personnel (nursing, surgical, pathology) to ensure a smooth running of the sample collection service.

Contact and update researchers regarding availability of samples.

Provide pseudo-anonymised clinical data to research groups.

Contact couriers to book shipments.

• Contact the external Biobank off-site storage facility to retrieve or send samples.
• Participate in meetings and contribute to effective communication within and outside the CRF.
• Liaise with other team members regarding any issues affecting work continuity or quality.
• Promptly communicate any difficulties, problems, accidents or incidents affecting the delivery of the service or the department to the Biobank Manager.
• Promptly communicate all Health and Safety issues to the Biobank Manager.
• Promptly report any incident which involves injury, or potential injury to hospital staff, or which could adversely affect patient welfare in any way to theBiobank Manager.
• Ensure that all contact with patients, internal and external researchers, commercial organisations, and visitors to the Facility is courteous, helpful and professional.

Patient/customer care (both direct and indirect)

The post-holder will be required to liaise with internal and external customers these will be patients, researchers, and commercial organisations. Specifically, the post-holder will:

• Seek informed consent from patients, ensuring the correct consent procedure is followed.
• Collect tissue and fluid samples from either theatre or outpatients
• Retrieve samples from the Diagnostic Archive.
• Process samples including tissue, blood, and sputum samples.
• Retrieve appropriate clinical data relating to collected samples.
• Distribute samples and data to approved researchers.
• Send and retrieve samples from the external Biobank off-site facility.
• Liaise with the Biobank Manager to address queries from researchers regarding samples.
• Store and ship samples in accordance with IATA regulations.
• Ensure an audit trail exists for all samples, from its receipt within the Biobank to its final destination.
• Safely handle, use and dispose of patient tissue in accordance with the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) guidelines and hospital policies.
• Safely handle, use and dispose of hazardous and/or radioactive chemicals.
• Be familiar withThe Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) requirements for the handling of dangerous pathogens.
• Maintain the liquid nitrogen stock for the laboratory, where necessary.
• Become proficient in all areas of the Biobank work, and provide a comprehensive and appropriate laboratory service.
• To understand and follow the laboratory standard operational and health and safety policies and procedures and ensure that safe working practices are maintained according to standard operating procedures.
• Adapt to new methodology or working practices when required, due to changing circumstances.
• Perform internal quality control and external quality assessment procedures and to report problems to the BiobankManager.
• Participate fully in the Departments quality assurance and audit programmes andassist in maintaining appropriate internal and external quality assurance records.
• Ensure all work is compliant with regulatory frameworks to include: Maintaining compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) and all relevant SOPs, standards, and guidelines.
• Assist with the writing, reviewing, and updating of departmental documents (e.g. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments) for all aspects of the activity of the laboratory.
• Assist with the writing, reviewing, and updating of current Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessments and COSSH assessments on all new substances being introduced to the laboratory.
• Maintain patient confidentiality.
• Maintain an awareness of currentdevelopments especially with regard to any special areas of responsibility within the department.
• Improve basic and specialist scientific expertise which may be achieved via Continuing Professional Development (CPD) within an appraisal programme and to maintain a portfolio of relevant professional development.
• Undertake suitable training and development programmes to successfully acquire core competencies and thereafter maintain the required standards of competence when undertaking duties.
• Ensuring that the Trusts core values are maintained by all Biobank staff.

Analytical & Interpretive Responsibilities

• Record data regarding sample receipt, processing, storage, shipping and tracking accurately and in a timely fashion onto lab worksheets and electronic databases such as LIMS (LabVantage) and MS Excel.
• Be proficient in the use of Microsoft office applications such as Word and Excel.
• Operate and maintain equipment in accordance with departmental and manufacturers policies and procedures and make judgements about how to proceed in the event of a failure. Troubleshoot faults and take appropriate action when necessary, liaising with the Biobank Manager.
• Resolve problems arising from routine work activities and refer unresolved problems to the Biobank Manager.

Planning & Organisation

• Screening & evaluation of eligibility of potential patients for participation in the Biobank.
• Work unsupervised andorganise own work tasks or activities and take responsibility for work done.
• Take responsibility for task completion, or communicating handover of unfinished work to another member of the team.
• Ensure that any work performed is carried out to the appropriate and agreed standards of timeliness, internal quality control and external assessment and accreditation authorities.

Policy & Service development

• Ensure that all Trust and departmental policies and procedures are implemented within areas of responsibility.
• Contribute to the review and updating of the laboratory Standard Operating Procedures and Policies, providing advice on any possible errors, and suggesting possible improvements.
• Assist with the production of Standard Operating Procedures for new procedures or equipment.

Resource management

• Assist in monitoring, ordering, and maintaining stock levels within the laboratory, ensuring that there is always a sufficient supply of reagents and consumables.
• Assist in monitoring, ordering, and maintaining the supply of office equipment, including stationery and computer supplies.
• Raise any issues of resource shortage with the Biobank Manager.

People management

• Cover for staff shortages to maintain the service.
• Assist in the planning and execution of work in collaboration with colleagues.
• Supervise work experience students, interns, or visitors to ensure their safety and wellbeing in the laboratory, and compliance with Trust and local policies.
• Be familiar with the Trust and department health and safety policies and ensure that they are followed to maintain a safe working environment for all employees and visitors.

Information management

• Use the Trusts sample tracking database, LabVantage, to continually track and identify samples.
• Use LabVantage to allocate unique identifiers and storage locations of samples.
• Enter clinical data onto a secure database.
• Retrieve anonymised clinical data to accompany samples when removed from storage.
• Assist with the preparation of reports detailing sample collection, storage, and use.
• Ensure all data is accurate.

Research and development

• To process samples including tissue, blood, and sputum samples. The post-holder will be required to assist with this and perform techniques including but not limited to:
  • Snap freezing of samples
  • Plasma separation
  • Serum separation
  • Tissue processing including using RNAlater and OCT
• To assist with audits and inspections as required.
• To maintain files of current protocols and patient information sheets/consent forms.
• Be accountable for the documentation of Biobank data according to GCP guidelines.

Further sections

• To abide by the Trusts Core Behaviours for staff and all other Trust policies, codes and practices including standing financial instructions, research governance, clinical governance, patient and public involvement, codes and practices, and health and safety.

Other duties

• To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested.

This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive. It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the post holder.

Interview Date: TBC

Person Specification

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

• Biomedical Science degree or equivalent.

Desirable

• Participation in a recognised CPD scheme.

Experience

Essential

• Experience in processing human biological samples including tissue, blood and sputum.
• General laboratory expertise and knowledge

Desirable

• Experience of packing and shipping biological samples.
• Experience in patient consenting and collecting medical data

Skills

Essential

• Competence in techniques including tissue snap freezing, serum and plasma separation.
• Ability to maintain meticulous records of sample tracking, experimental procedures, and results
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of people.
• Proficient IT skills, including Microsoft Office or similar

Desirable

• Ability to undertake duties requiring light physical effort and, occasionally, moderate effort for short periods.

Personal Qualities

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

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