Job responsibilities
JOB
PURPOSE
To perform and interpret a range of
specialist genetic tests, both routine and complex. Lead a team of Healthcare
Science Assistants and/or Practitioners in a specialist technical work area.
Planning workloads and troubleshooting problems with assays and complex
equipment. Responsible for training within area.
Line manager for Healthcare Science
Assistants and/or Practitioners both within and outside team.
Responsible for the good order of
the laboratory and its equipment, stock control and for the maintenance of
any associated documentation.
JOB
DIMENSIONS
The
Leeds Genetics Laboratory at St Jamess University Hospital provides a
diagnostic laboratory service to the population of Yorkshire and Humber.
Specialist diagnostic genetic services are provided at a national and
international level. The service is provided by over 70 staff, consisting of
Heathcare Scientists, Healthcare Science Practitioners, Assistants and
administrative staff. The laboratory processes over 25,000 genetics samples
per year, and generates around 20,000 reports, many of which are highly
complex.
The
postholder will lead one of the specialist technical areas within the
laboratory, managing a team of between 5-8 technical staff to perform,
analyse and interpret a range of genetic tests, both routine and complex.
They would be responsible for overseeing the workload of the team, planning
rotas and making adjustments according to clinical priorities.
They
will develop policies within their area and ensure documentation and records
in their area updated and compliant with accreditation requirements (UKAS).
Responsible
as line manager for the Healthcare Science Practitioners and Healthcare
Science Assistants both within and outside their team.
They
will oversee equipment maintenance and reagent stock control system and
ordering via the Trust computerised system.
The
post holder will communicate on a daily basis with Healthcare Scientists to
ensure quality and appropriateness of tests. Working closely with suppliers,
the post holder would be expected to develop and troubleshoot complex diagnostic processes, comparing
options and providing advice on equipment purchases up to £200,000.
The
post holder will independently discuss, advise and train technical and
scientific colleagues with regard to diagnostic processes.
The
post holder may hold one or more of the following key roles: Laboratory
Health and Safety Officer, DSE assessor, Manual Handling Key Trainer, COSHH
officer. This will involve creating and reviewing the laboratorys risk
assessments, coordinating incident reporting relating to Health and Safety
issues and ensuring that the laboratory complies with current safety
regulations.
There
will be a close day-to-day working relationship with the Translational
Genomics Unit, including shared use of space, equipment and other facilities.
The post holder will be involved in research and development activities
undertaken within the department, for example preparation of samples for
clinical trials.
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
ESSENTIAL
First Degree in a Biological
Subject with a genetics component, or equivalent level of knowledge.
Registration with Academy of
Healthcare Science (healthcare science practitioner) or HCPC (biomedical
scientist) at time of or within a reasonable time after recruitment.
Significant experience in a
laboratory environment.
Have attended supply based analyser
training course(s), as appropriate e.g. Applied Biosystems 3100 analyser.
Specialist expertise in a range of
routine and more complex clinical genetic methods (manual and automated)
analysis and interpretation of results using specialist software, quality
assurance and problem solving underpinned with both theoretical knowledge and
experience.
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.
Ability to use standard software
packages including inventory, purchasing and laboratory computer analysis
systems
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.
Able to take control of situation
when more junior staff are in difficulty.
Ability to maintain effective
communication networks with scientific, technical and managerial colleagues
within the department, within and outside the Trust.
Ability to lead and coordinate
internal audit activities, present reports and initiate corrective action.
Ability to provide leadership within
the context of quality and implementation of change.
DESIRABLE
Higher degree eg. MSc or PhD
Previous experience of work in a
NHS diagnostic genetics technical post. An understanding of managerial
processes within the Trust and NHS.
An understanding of Trust policies
and procedures and how they relate to the staff and service of the
department.
Experience of research studies
An understanding of national,
professional and NHS guidelines relating to service provision and quality.
An in-depth understanding of
current health and safety procedures and regulations
Knowledge of financial management,
resource allocation and procurement.
THE
LEEDS WAY VALUES
Our
values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this
as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our
staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:
Patient-centred
Collaborative
Fair
Accountable
Empowered
All
our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values
CORE
BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
Patient orientation: Relates
activities back to patient care and maintains patient confidentiality
Quality focus: Maintenance of
highest standards, particularly in laboratory tests, with reference to
Internal Audit and Laboratory Accreditation. Responds to mistakes in a way
that leads to learning and service improvement.
Attention to detail: Observation of
high laboratory standards; operating according to up to date Standard Operating
Procedures
Open to change: Readiness to
respond in a timely fashion to technological and procedural changes in this
rapidly changing field.
Communication: Ability to explain
highly complex technical information to clinical scientists and healthcare
practitioners.
Communication: Ability to
communicate change effectively to staff and use tact and persuasive skills to
motivate team.
CORE
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Extensive knowledge of routine and
specialised analytical laboratory methods, quality assurance and problem
solving.
In-depth knowledge of specified
range of genetic testing, including routine and more specialised analytical
methods, and an understanding of clinical molecular genetics.
In depth knowledge of complex
equipment used within genetics laboratory, for example genetic analysers, robotics and next
generation sequencers. .
Knowledge and use of software
packages for genetic analysis.
In depth knowledge of current
health, safety, welfare and other statutory regulation
Knowledge of resource allocation
and procurement.
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical,
Diagnostic and Laboratory
Lead a technical team for the
organisation, planning and prioritisation of patient testing for a technical
areas including dealing with unpredictable events such as analysis for
pre-natal diagnosis.
Handling telephone enquiries from
consultants, doctors and nurses involving patient queries and requests for
test results. The post holder would be expected to judge when to pass an
enquiry on to the relevant Clinical Scientist.
Performing routine and more complex
molecular and cytogenetic analyses. This will include the use of the
following routine and specialised analytical laboratory techniques: NGS
sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, fluorescent sequencing and
karyotyping. All will require
dexterity as they involve repetitive micro-pipetting of small accurately
measured volumes, gel manipulation or use of automated analysers.
Perform routine processing of
samples in a class ii microbiological safety cabinet and working to
containment level 2+
The post holder is responsible for
maintaining paper and computer records of diagnostic 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.
Acting as Specialist Healthcare
Practitioner in one or more nominated clinical technical areas the post
holder is expected to be able to troubleshoot specialised analytical laboratory
techniques, in addition to the more routine analytical laboratory techniques.
The post holder would be expected to develop and update standard operating
procedures, advise and train to other staff and evaluate of new/replacement
equipment.
Ability to use laboratory computer
analysis systems involved in genetic diagnosis to process laboratory data,
compare results and interpret complex data in addition to the use of more
standard software packages.
The post holder would be expected
to undertake the preparation of automated patient reports using the Patient
Management System, prior to submission to Clinical Scientists, for one or
more nominated clinical technical areas.
Participate in the routine internal
audit requirements of the laboratory
