Job responsibilities
JOB
PURPOSE
Responsible for delivery and
scientific development of a high quality diagnostic Laboratory Genetics
Service.
Scientific lead in service
provision for specified clinical area.
Provide advice to Consultants and
other users.
Participate in forming national
best-practice policy.
JOB
DIMENSIONS
The
Leeds Genetics Laboratory at St Jamess University Hospital provides a
diagnostic Genetic Service to the population of Yorkshire and Humber.
Specialist diagnostic genetic services are provided at a national and
international level, using a current annual budget of approximately £3million
and with over 70 staff, of which 35 are trained Clinical Scientists. 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 independently discuss, advise and challenge clinicians and
scientists, including Consultants (both from genetics and other disciplines)
and GPs on the complex interpretation of results which may be sensitive or
contentious.
The
post holder will provide input to ensure a high standard of service that is
both cost effective and efficient. This includes suggestions towards
decisions on purchase of items of equipment, reagents or software valued up
to £150,000, for example, specialised genetic analysers. There will be close
day-to-day working relationship with the Translational Genomics Unit (joint
NHS and University facility), the University of Leeds, histopathology, the
Haemological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (HMDS) and other pathology
departments within LTHT, including shared use of space, equipment and other
facilities.
The
post-holder will present scientific findings at national and international
scientific meetings. They will be involved in formulation of national and
international best practice guidelines for genetic tests.
The
post holder will be responsible for the mentoring and training of Clinical
Scientist (clinical genetics) STP trainees.
There
is a teaching relationship with the University of Leeds and the post holder
may contribute towards supervision of project work of Biology and Medical
undergraduates
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
ESSENTIAL
First Degree in a Biological
subject with a strong genetics component, or equivalent.
Further qualification or knowledge
equivalent to masters level.
Preparation towards Fellowship of
the Royal College of Pathologists in Genetics or Molecular Pathology.
Registration with Health
Professions Council as Clinical Scientist in Genetics, submodality Molecular
Genetics or Cytogenetics.
Advanced theoretical knowledge of
clinical genetics and/or molecular pathology including routine and
specialised analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving.
Knowledge of national, professional
and NHS guidelines relating to service provision and quality.
Recognise and highlight areas in
their own work and others where there is a risk of clinical error.
Understanding of health and safety
procedures/issues.
Understand issues relating to
financial management, resource allocation and procurement.
Advanced analytical (technical) and
interpretative skills and ability to analyse complex situations.
Well-developed deductive and
intuitive abilities.
To take personal responsibility for
own decisions and advice.
Able to use and manipulate
laboratory computer systems and standard software packages.
Able to work as part of a team, and
recognise how personal goals relate to those of the department and Trust.
Good oral and written communication
skills including teaching.
Able to prepare and present complex
scientific and clinical information at local, national or international
conferences.
Able to maintain concentration for
prolonged intervals on complex activities despite frequent interruptions.
Able to establish and maintain
effective networks with professional and clinical colleagues within and
beyond the Trust.
Good hand eye co-ordination for
fine manipulation of instrumentation.
To maintain self control in
difficult and challenging situations.
Able to troubleshoot under
pressure, for instance while performing prenatal or predictive tests for
adult-onset genetic diseases, with limited reporting timescales.
Able to identify R & D needs in
own area and participate in R & D activities.
Able to participate in internal
audit activities.
Able to participate in clinical
audit and present reports.
Able to relate service provision to
national best practice guidelines.
DESIRABLE
Doctorate, or knowledge to
equivalent level.
Part 1 Fellowship of the Royal
College of Pathologists.
To have demonstrated specialist
knowledge at a national or international level.
Involvement in formulation of
national, professional and NHS guidelines relating to service provision and
quality.
Experience of membership of
committees at and national level.
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
Additionally
the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:
Quality focus: Maintenance of
highest standards in laboratory tests and reports, with reference to best
practice guidelines, National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS),
Clinical Audit, Internal Audit and UKAS. Accreditation. Respond to mistakes in
a way which leads to learning and service improvement.
Attention to detail: Observance of
high laboratory standards; operating according to up to date Standard
Operating Procedures.
Patient orientation: Relating
activities back to patient care; Clinical Audit.
Demonstration of honesty,
integrity, self-confidence and self-control.
Open to change: Readiness to
respond in a timely fashion to research, technological, strategic and
financial change in this rapidly changing field.
CORE
BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS
Shares information openly with
other team members and works in partnership with others to solve a problem.
Open to new approaches and copes
with changing targets.
Helps others to adjust their
behaviour to changing circumstances.
Develops and initiates strategies
in response to change.
Makes active efforts to influence
the work of the team, takes responsibility for making appropriate decisions.
Relates well to people at all
levels and backgrounds.
Uses rational argument and data to
persuade others.
Manages conflict diplomatically and
calmly.
Establishes and responds to user
needs and requirements.
Monitors and continuously reviews
service processes and outcomes and looks for ways of improving service
quality.
Consistently attempts to try
learning in the workplace and from experiences.
Develops and maintains effective
networks.
Makes conscious choices about their
own personal development identifies their own strengths and weaknesses and
orchestrates appropriate development opportunities.
Delegates appropriate tasks and
responsibility.
Allows others the authority to
accomplish tasks effectively.
Makes effective presentations and
speaks confidently in front of a group, including large group or audience,
and at national and international meetings of peers.
Consults appropriately and seeks
relevant information, including financial, before making recommendations.
Remains objective and rational when
dealing with emotive issues.
Sets deadlines and timescales for
managing their own workload.
Plans actions to achieve objectives
to schedule and produces detailed project plans
Anticipates problems and
difficulties and makes contingency plans.
Understands the long term strategy
and objectives of their own department taking into account of the strengths
and weaknesses of the organisation.
Stands up for their own point of
view, even against opposition, and speaks with Sincerity and conviction.
Shows enthusiasm for their own
initiatives and acknowledges their own successes.
CORE
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Advanced knowledge of specified
range of genetic diseases and disease mechanisms as described in current
literature.
Knowledge of strategies and methods
of molecular genetic analysis, including financial implications.
Knowledge of equipment,
bioinformatics tools and analysis pipelines used for genetic testing and
analysis,
Understanding of clinical features
of inherited an/or somatic genetic diseases and counselling and ethical
issues.
Understanding of services provided
by other pathology departmentsand other genetic centres.
Knowledge of internal and external
quality assurance and national and international best practice standards.
Understanding of health and safety
procedures.
Understanding of department and
Trust policies and procedures.
Knowledge of IT resources in
relation to genetic diagnosis, including bio-informatics.
Knowledge of mathematical
approaches to interpret genetic data and determine genetic risk.
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical
Take personal responsibility for
delivery of laboratory scientific genetics service for specific diseases and
others as required.
Determine appropriate tests for
individual cases. Prioritise testing and reporting to ensure reporting
targets are met for all samples, including urgent predictive and prenatal
tests. Liase with technical staff.
Perform laboratory technical work
as required, for example as part of a development project or troubleshooting
of services.
