Job responsibilities
JOB
PURPOSE
Deliver a high quality diagnostic
genetic laboratory service through undertaking clinical technical
investigations
Lead a nominated technical area by
providing specialist skills and knowledge with regard to diagnostic
processes, equipment operation and audit.
Support the training of, and
supervision of staff, including
Healthcare Science Practitioners and Biomedical Support Workers.
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
Healthcare Scientists, Healthcare Science Practitioners 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
post holder will undertake a variety of clinical technical investigations
working with Healthcare Scientists to ensure quality and appropriateness of
tests. The post holder may be asked to participate in the development of new
diagnostic investigations. Acting as lead in a nominated technical area, the
post holder will train technical colleagues with regard to diagnostic
processes. The post holder will undertake the quality assurance tasks as
required to maintain the laboratorys
accreditation status.
Genetic
Technologists may be required to participate in the DNA technical duty rota.
They will also undertake receipt of deliveries arriving into the laboratory
including entering audit details into the laboratorys computerised chemical
inventory system. Genetic technologists will also participate in the
quarterly Regional Supplies Centre ordering rota where they will provide some
of the basic consumables of the laboratory via access to a budget of around
£5000 pa. The post holder may be required to help support the training of
other technical staff with regard to both of the above rotational areas.
There
will be close day-to-day working relationship with Translational Genomics
Unit, including shared use of space, equipment and other facilities.
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
ESSENTIAL
Degree in a Science subject, or
equivalent level of knowledge.
Previous experience in a laboratory
environment (including training period).
Knowledge of routine and more
complex analytical laboratory methods, quality assurance and problem solving.
Have attained the basic
competencies in a range of techniques used in a molecular genetics
laboratory.
Analytical (technical) skills and
ability to analyse situations.
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.
Ability to maintain concentration
despite occasional interruptions.
Good oral and written communication
skills.
Ability to maintain effective
networks with scientific and technical colleagues within the department.
DESIRABLE
Completion of Modernising
Scientific Careers Practitioner training programme in genetics
Registered with the Academy of
Healthcare Science (healthcare science
practitioner) or HCPC (biomedical scientist)
Previous experience of work in a
NHS diagnostic genetics laboratory technical post.
Knowledge of clinical molecular
genetics and diagnostic molecular genetic testing including routine and more
specialised analytical methods.
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. Respond to mistakes in a way
that leads to learning and service improvement.
Attention to detail: Observance 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 change in this
rapidly changing field.
Demonstration of honesty,
integrity, self-confidence and self-control.
CORE
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Knowledge of routine and
specialised analytical laboratory methods, quality assurance and problem
solving.
Knowledge of specified range of
diagnostic genetic testing and an understanding of clinical genetics.
Knowledge of equipment used for
automated genetic analysis.
Knowledge of IT resources in
relation to genetic diagnosis and the use standard software packages.
Understanding of health and safety
procedures.
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical,
Diagnostic and Laboratory
Assist Clinical Scientists with the
organisation and planning of patient testing in a nominated clinical
technical area 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 molecular and
cytogenetic analyses. This will include the use of the following routine
analytical laboratory techniques: polymerase chain reaction, fluorescent
sequencing, fluorescent mutation detection methods and restriction digests.
All require dexterity as they involve repetitive micropipetting 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+.
Maintain a high level of accuracy
and reliability in defined routine, preparative and associated procedures.
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.
Acting as lead Genetic
Technologist in a nominated clinical
technical area 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
provide training to other staff, participate in the evaluation of
new/replacement equipment/reagents and may participate in the development of
diagnostic techniques for a nominated clinical technical area.
Ability to use laboratory computer
analysis systems involved in genetic diagnosis to process laboratory data,
compare results and interpret data in addition to the use of more standard
software packages.
Participate in the routine internal
audit requirements of the laboratory including checking tube alignments for
members of staff prior to tube transfers e.g. during polymerase chain
reaction tests.
Preparation and running of
agarose/acrylamide gels. This involves regularly work with carcinogens (e.g.
ethidium bromide).
Assist with the preparation of
diagnostic and research patient samples for dispatch to other laboratories,
including retrieval from storage, safe packaging and maintenance of
associated paper and computer records.
Managerial
The post holder would be expected
to supervise staff in a nominated clinical technical area as appropriate.
Acting as lead in their nominated
technical area, the post holder will undertake the annual quality assurance
tasks for equipment, including the maintenance of computer and paper records
required for maintaining the laboratorys Clinical Pathology Accreditation
status.
Suggest changes to Standard
Operating Procedures, generally within the laboratory and more specifically
to a particular nominated clinical technical area.
Teaching
and Training
Newly appointed Genetic
Technologists would be expected to be
actively working towards the successful attainment of the laboratorys core
competencies and gaining the skills, knowledge and other attributes required to
become a lead for a nominated clinical technical area. Opportunity to attend
weekly literature and laboratory reviews.
Opportunity to attend relevant
scientific conferences and workshops.
Health
and Safety/Risk Management
All
staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and
improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service
users. This includes complying at all
times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health
and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working
procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting
system.
Infection
Control
The
jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS
Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal
Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and
after contact with patients and their environment.
