Genomics Associate

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical:

Working with the clinical team of genetic counsellors and clinical geneticists to facilitate genetic counselling and diagnosis through:

Obtaining family histories by telephone and in person within the genetic clinics

Obtaining basic medical history, including previous genetic tests using a proforma

Obtaining appropriate medical and genetic records, results and investigations, both internally and externally

Obtaining and checking appropriate permissions and consents

Organising and obtaining familial blood or saliva samples to help confirm diagnosis in proband

Monitoring outstanding records/samples/screening and taking appropriate action

Responding to queries/referrals that do not require clinical contact

Facilitating patient access through discussion of the purpose of genetic referral including in those with more complex needs, learning or social difficulties and in whom English is not their first language

Provide patient support through signposting to existing patient resources and support groups and supporting the creation of patient leaflets

Auditing and improving systems to facilitate patient access including referrer education and website modification

Collect and enter genetic results and other data onto the clinical databases as part of clinical care and for audit

Administrative duties including filing of patient records

Adhering to departmental SOPs relating to patient care and genetic samples

Assisting consultants with requests for patient details, lists of disease cohorts with genetic information

Communication with patients and families and working relationships

The genomics associate will communicate regularly with patients to obtain sensitive and detailed information. They will also communicate frequently with members of the clinical team to relay information, including clinicians and genetic counsellors. They will collaborate and co-operate with clinical, administrative and research staff to facilitate seamless care.

Feedback negative results by phone and letter

Liaise regionally, nationally and internationally with laboratories and departments to obtain information. Will delegate less administrative tasks to the genetics administrator, providing appropriate instruction.

Discuss cases with medical and genetic counsellor colleagues in accordance with departmental lines of clinical supervision.

Attend departmental meetings as requested, including weekly lab meetings.

Analytical and judgement responsibilities

The genomics associate will use their judgment to determine what information, medical records and results are required on a regular basis. They will actively chase this information prior to the patients outpatient appointment to ensure smooth running of clinic and best clinical care.

Planning and organisational skills

The post holder will be expected to plan and prioritise their work according to clinical need. They will be required to organise internal meetings and rotas and to take a lead in the co-ordination of external education and patient support events including facilities, resources and communications.

Monitor outstanding records / samples / screening and taking appropriate action.

Professional

The genomic associate will work autonomously and under own initiative to carry out their clinical duties including in contact with patients, following training.

They will be expected to recognise limits of role, escalate queries appropriately and direct enquiries to an appropriate counsellor /clinician as required .

They will attend training courses, and participate in in-house training programmes necessary to maintain the competencies required by the post.

They will abide by the Trust policy on patient confidentiality and maintain and follow standard operating procedures, including adherence to current professional standards.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent in Biology, Genetics, Biomedical Sciences/ Healthcare Sciences/ Psychology or evidence of level 2 Apprenticeship or Diploma in health-related subject
• Strong foundation/knowledge base in genetics and inheritance patterns

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in genetics
• Advanced knowledge in genetics, inheritance, and rare inherited conditions at Degree level, demonstrated by relevant Undergraduate course modules

Experience

Essential

• Experience in a relevant caring or health care setting
• Experience of working with people who are distressed and discussing sensitive information

Desirable

• Counselling experience (e.g. Samaritans, courses, formal counselling qualification)
• Experience working with families with inherited or rare disease
• Experience of working within eye hospital or clinical genetics department

Knowledge

Essential

• Confident with Office, and other MS applications

Skills

Essential

• Able to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Initiative & Ability to efficiently organise and prioritise within own workload
• Ability to enter data accurately on computer systems and maintain computer and paper filing and records systems
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Moorfields Eye Hospital

162 City Road

London

EC1V 2PD

Employer's website

https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)