Biomedical Scientist - Stem Cell Lab

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Information:

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Job summary

Previous applicants need not apply.

Unlock an extraordinary career in the Stem Cell/Cellular Therapy Laboratory! Join our dynamic team at the heart of an experienced Haematology/Oncology stem cell transplant and cellular therapy programme. As an HTA licensed and JACIE accredited lab, we are dedicated to providing top-notch technical and scientific services. Your role will involve handling autologous and allogeneic haematopoietic stem cells for therapeutic use, collaborating closely with clinical experts, nurses, pharmacists and transplant coordinators. Be part of our legacy of excellence and innovation. We invite HCPC registered biomedical scientists, offering full training and the chance to lead in a senior capacity. Experience in stem cell transplantation is a plus, but we welcome candidates with transferrable skills.

This role demands a good level of fitness. Your days will involve everything from cleaning to extended periods of standing and engaging in procedures within our cryogenic storage facility.

Main duties of the job

This is no bench-working or research lab role - instead you will work across the clean room areas, the cryogenic store as well as visiting wards and clinical areas to collect and deliver cells. While collecting harvested cells the lab staff enjoy meeting patients, ensuring that their contribution to patient treatment remains their focus and underlines their essential and rewarding role in the pathway.

You'll bring your scientific prowess to every facet of our specialised laboratory. Your responsibilities span receiving, testing, cryopreserving, storing, and issuing haematopoietic progenitor cell products. Beyond technical excellence, you'll play a pivotal role in day-to-day management and lab administration, contributing to our unwavering commitment to standards and accreditation (HTA, JACIE).

Forge impactful connections not only within the Cellular Therapy Lab but also across pathology, clinical areas, and the Immunophenotyping Laboratory. It's a chance to be part of a collaborative network shaping the future of healthcare.

About us

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Date posted

16 July 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,720 to £48,054 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-SA1246019

Job locations

The Royal Marsden

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification

  • To prepare for harvests expected to arrive in the laboratory
  • To collect harvested cells from the apheresis department or from theatres.
  • To receive frozen products from cord banks or other transplant centres
  • To receive fresh cells collected from donor centres around the world.
  • Process haematopoietic progenitor cells for cryopreservation under aseptic conditions in a cleanroom.
  • Assist with volume reduction/red cell depletion of bone marrow donations.
  • Cryopreserve cells and store in vapour phase nitrogen.
  • Issue fresh and frozen haematopoietic progenitor cells for transplant.
  • Perform environmental monitoring of the clean room using air sampling, particle counting, contact plates and settle plates.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification

  • To prepare for harvests expected to arrive in the laboratory
  • To collect harvested cells from the apheresis department or from theatres.
  • To receive frozen products from cord banks or other transplant centres
  • To receive fresh cells collected from donor centres around the world.
  • Process haematopoietic progenitor cells for cryopreservation under aseptic conditions in a cleanroom.
  • Assist with volume reduction/red cell depletion of bone marrow donations.
  • Cryopreserve cells and store in vapour phase nitrogen.
  • Issue fresh and frozen haematopoietic progenitor cells for transplant.
  • Perform environmental monitoring of the clean room using air sampling, particle counting, contact plates and settle plates.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • First degree in Biomedical Science or equivalent
  • HCPC Registration

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of working in a routine diagnostic or stem cell laboratory
  • Evidence of transferrable skills relevant to the post
  • Experience of working as part of a team

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a clean room

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

Essential

  • Exceptional organisational ability
  • Able to work with meticulous attention to detail
  • Knowledge and understanding of the role and requirements of regulatory bodies including HTA and JACIE
  • Ability to write clearly, precisely and grammatically
  • Understanding of relevant laboratory Health and Safety procedures
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • First degree in Biomedical Science or equivalent
  • HCPC Registration

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of working in a routine diagnostic or stem cell laboratory
  • Evidence of transferrable skills relevant to the post
  • Experience of working as part of a team

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a clean room

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

Essential

  • Exceptional organisational ability
  • Able to work with meticulous attention to detail
  • Knowledge and understanding of the role and requirements of regulatory bodies including HTA and JACIE
  • Ability to write clearly, precisely and grammatically
  • Understanding of relevant laboratory Health and Safety procedures

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Marsden

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Marsden

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Cellular Therapy Lab

Janet Wells

janet.wells@rmh.nhs.uk

Date posted

16 July 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,720 to £48,054 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-SA1246019

Job locations

The Royal Marsden

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Supporting documents

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