Job summary
Building on the NHS contribution to the 100,000 Genomes Project, the introduction of a national genomic medicine service has created 7 Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). The North West GLH will be hosted by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Genetic Technologist to join the North West GLH. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a laboratory environment and be part of a team delivering specialist diagnostic genomic services.
The post will operate from the Genomic Diagnostics Laboratory (GDL), Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. The GDL is one of the largest and most comprehensive clinical genomics labs in the UK, consisting of biochemical, cytogenetic and molecular genetics laboratories which together provide diagnostic services to a population of over 5 million people. The labs employ over 100 staff including clinical scientists, genetic technologists, bioinformaticians and administrative staff.The Genomic Diagnostics Laboratory is a well-established, UKAS-accredited service.
The Genomic Diagnostics Laboratory aims to continue to deliver a patient-focussed service with an international reputation and be a premier supplier of laboratory testing in the NHS. We are implementing ambitious plans for modernising and improving service delivery.
Main duties of the job
As an Assistant Genetic Technologist, you will work in the laboratory on one of our Technical Teams (Pre-analytical, Cell Culture and Karyotyping, Molecular Cytogenetics, Fragment or Sequencing/NGS) under the supervision of a Senior Genetic Technologist performing a range of protocol driven tasks.
You should ideally possess A levels in relevant subject areas or be able to demonstrate equivalent literacy and numeracy skills. Experience in a Genetics laboratory environment is desirable; alternatively a diagnostic laboratory. Computer literacy is also required. You should have good communication skills, be able to work well in a team, remain calm under pressure, and be able to take the initiative and prioritise workload.This is a highly skilled job for which specific training will be given. You will be fully trained to carry out your duties and you will be appraised on a yearly basis with a view to developing knowledge and skills where appropriate.
The work requires constant attention to detail and good organisational / multi-tasking skills. You will work under supervision. Some essential tasks are repetitive and require specific unbroken time periods. You need good concentration and manual dexterity. You must be willing to be part of a flexible working rota. A flexible attitude is essential as is the ability to work to tight deadlines to meet professional reporting time guidelines.
About us
MFT is England's largest NHS Trust with a turnover of £2.5bn & is on a different scale than most other NHS Trusts. We're creating an exceptional integrated health & social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services every year.
Bringing together 10 hospitals & community services from across Manchester, Trafford & beyond, we champion collaborative working & transformation, encouraging our 28,000 workforce to pursue their most ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate so you'll benefit from a scale of opportunity that is nothing short of extraordinary.
We've also created a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient & staff experience, operational effectiveness & driving research and innovation through the introduction of Hive; our brand-new Electronic Patient Record system which we've launched in September 2022.
We're proud to be a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, providing you with a robust infrastructure to encourage and facilitate high-quality research programmes. What's more, we're excited to be embarking on our new Green Plan which will set out how MFT continues to play its part in making healthcare more sustainable.
At MFT, we create and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development that are fair, open and transparent, protecting your health and wellbeing and shaping the future of our organisation together.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not currently a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated, there is helpful advice and information available by searching on the NHS England website where you can also find out more about how to access the vaccination.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at resourcing@mft.nhs.uk.
Were looking forward to hearing from you!
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not currently a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated, there is helpful advice and information available by searching on the NHS England website where you can also find out more about how to access the vaccination.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at resourcing@mft.nhs.uk.
Were looking forward to hearing from you!
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- GCSE level qualifications in English, Maths & Science
Desirable
- A level qualifications in relevant subject(s)
- Degree in relevant subject
EXPERIENCE
Desirable
- 0-no experience 1-volunteer work in NHS setting/patient or clinical care 2-University/College lab experience 3-General lab experience in previous job 4-Path lab experience
SKILLS
Essential
- Based on quality and effort of supporting information
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Able to demonstrate basic knowledge and awareness of NHS diagnostic Lab work 0-no mention of interest and application not tailored for post 1-some interest OR application tailored to biomedical science 2 - Interest OR tailored application 3 Tailored application and Interest to post 4- knowledge & interest shown and application tailored to post
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- GCSE level qualifications in English, Maths & Science
Desirable
- A level qualifications in relevant subject(s)
- Degree in relevant subject
EXPERIENCE
Desirable
- 0-no experience 1-volunteer work in NHS setting/patient or clinical care 2-University/College lab experience 3-General lab experience in previous job 4-Path lab experience
SKILLS
Essential
- Based on quality and effort of supporting information
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Able to demonstrate basic knowledge and awareness of NHS diagnostic Lab work 0-no mention of interest and application not tailored for post 1-some interest OR application tailored to biomedical science 2 - Interest OR tailored application 3 Tailored application and Interest to post 4- knowledge & interest shown and application tailored to post
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
