Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join our large multi-disciplinary cancer research team in the Renal, Skin and Solid Tumour Cellular Therapies department as a Senior Biological Specimen Coordinator. An active interest in cancer research and the ability to work semi-independently within a multi-disciplinary team are essential.
The post will require travel cross site between Sutton and Chelsea, as needed within the service provision, but will have a focus on our Sutton Site. You will need to interact daily with clinicians, nurses and scientists on the research team and outside the hospital and it is, therefore, vital that you possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. You will be working under the supervision of the Lead Translational Research Manager to ensure that cancer tissue and blood samples are collected, processed and managed according to protocol to support and aid the unit's large portfolio of cancer research trials. You must therefore be highly organised and meticulous in your working methods.During your time in this post, you will be able to develop a valuable set of transferable skills, and there is the opportunity to be trained in basic laboratory techniques, phlebotomy and patient consent.
This is a developmental role AfC Band 4-5, depending on candidate experience.
Appointment will be on a fixed term contract for 12 months.
Main duties of the job
- The post holder will work within the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust (the Trust) and the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) Tissue Collection Facility and be responsible, in conjunction with the other Biological Specimen Coordinator(s) for collecting, cataloguing and processing clinical samples (usually tumour and blood specimens) for translational research within Renal, Melanoma and Solid Tumour Cellular Therapies.
- The post will be responsible for translational research samples coming through the unit and will ensure all procedures meet with Human Tissue Act (HTA) requirements and Good Clinical Practice UK Regulations for hosted commercial/academic studies as well as all tissue retrieved for central review from all participating centres in the UK and globally for the Trusts sponsored studies running through Renal, Melanoma and Solid Tumour Cellular Therapies.
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:
- Working independently on a daily basis but as an integral part of a busy research department and being responsible for the collection and coordination of patient samples for ongoing studies.
- Collecting archival and new tissue samples, processing and labelling samples, managing the collection and storage of samples in the appropriate conditions (fridges/freezers/liquid nitrogen).
- Receiving samples in-house and travelling off site for retrieval of relevant material.
- Co-ordinating the dispatch of samples to other centres where required.
- Responsibility for all stored samples and management of the data associated with the collected material and other archival samples.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:
- Working independently on a daily basis but as an integral part of a busy research department and being responsible for the collection and coordination of patient samples for ongoing studies.
- Collecting archival and new tissue samples, processing and labelling samples, managing the collection and storage of samples in the appropriate conditions (fridges/freezers/liquid nitrogen).
- Receiving samples in-house and travelling off site for retrieval of relevant material.
- Co-ordinating the dispatch of samples to other centres where required.
- Responsibility for all stored samples and management of the data associated with the collected material and other archival samples.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Biomedical Science degree or equivalent
Desirable
- Participation in a recognised CPD scheme Technical qualification in pathology / histopathology
Experience
Essential
- Have experience in a biological specimen coordinator role in clinical trial setting and demonstrable laboratory experience in the techniques listed in the job description
- Generic laboratory and histology expertise and knowledge/experience of database management
- Ability to work independently in accordance with policies and procedures and use initiative
- Ability to work as part of a team
Desirable
- Experience of training staff and supervising staff
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Essential
- Good understanding of the Human Tissue Act
- Good level of English Language demonstrated through effective written and excellent verbal communication skills
- Knowledge of and interest in cancer research
- Ability to devise, implement and maintain meticulous records of sample tracking, experimental procedures and results.
- Ability to perform repetitive tasks
- High level of manual dexterity
- Ability to concentrate on tasks, on occasions for prolonged period
- Ability to work in restricted sitting or standing positions for substantial periods of time
- Excellent oral and written communication skills when dealing with all levels of administrative and clinical staff
- Excellent organisation and record keeping skills. Ability to prioritise own and junior staff workloads to meet various deadlines
- Ability to be highly organised and methodical in conducting work.
- Good telephone manner
- Ability to work under pressure
- Sound IT skills, including Microsoft Office, Exel, Powerpoint or similar
Desirable
- Venepuncture and/or cannulation skills
- Good practical analytical skills
- Ability to motivate others
Other Requirements
Essential
- Commitment to excellent service provision Prepared to visit theatre during surgical procedures to collect tissue/body fluids
- Prepared to work with biological materials such as tissue and body fluids on a daily basis.
- Be prepared for rare exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances
- Flexible attitude to work
- Flexibility to meet the needs of the service (e.g. shift work, working out of hours)
- Positive attitude to change
- Satisfactory record in previous employment.
- Ability to work outside of standard working hours if necessary
- Able to work on both sites and to be flexible to meet the needs of the role
- Able to travel between clinical centres for sample collection
- Ability to undertake duties requiring light physical effort and occasionally moderate effort for short periods
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Biomedical Science degree or equivalent
Desirable
- Participation in a recognised CPD scheme Technical qualification in pathology / histopathology
Experience
Essential
- Have experience in a biological specimen coordinator role in clinical trial setting and demonstrable laboratory experience in the techniques listed in the job description
- Generic laboratory and histology expertise and knowledge/experience of database management
- Ability to work independently in accordance with policies and procedures and use initiative
- Ability to work as part of a team
Desirable
- Experience of training staff and supervising staff
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Essential
- Good understanding of the Human Tissue Act
- Good level of English Language demonstrated through effective written and excellent verbal communication skills
- Knowledge of and interest in cancer research
- Ability to devise, implement and maintain meticulous records of sample tracking, experimental procedures and results.
- Ability to perform repetitive tasks
- High level of manual dexterity
- Ability to concentrate on tasks, on occasions for prolonged period
- Ability to work in restricted sitting or standing positions for substantial periods of time
- Excellent oral and written communication skills when dealing with all levels of administrative and clinical staff
- Excellent organisation and record keeping skills. Ability to prioritise own and junior staff workloads to meet various deadlines
- Ability to be highly organised and methodical in conducting work.
- Good telephone manner
- Ability to work under pressure
- Sound IT skills, including Microsoft Office, Exel, Powerpoint or similar
Desirable
- Venepuncture and/or cannulation skills
- Good practical analytical skills
- Ability to motivate others
Other Requirements
Essential
- Commitment to excellent service provision Prepared to visit theatre during surgical procedures to collect tissue/body fluids
- Prepared to work with biological materials such as tissue and body fluids on a daily basis.
- Be prepared for rare exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances
- Flexible attitude to work
- Flexibility to meet the needs of the service (e.g. shift work, working out of hours)
- Positive attitude to change
- Satisfactory record in previous employment.
- Ability to work outside of standard working hours if necessary
- Able to work on both sites and to be flexible to meet the needs of the role
- Able to travel between clinical centres for sample collection
- Ability to undertake duties requiring light physical effort and occasionally moderate effort for short periods
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.
