Job summary
Be part of our transformational change leading on our new molecular strategy.
An exciting opportunity for an 12 month fixed term Clinical Scientist specialising in Infection Sciences has arisen, based between Synnovis' St. Thomas' Hospital and King's College Hospital sites within the Infection Sciences Department.
We are looking for an experienced HCPC Registered Clinical Scientist to support other scientists with in depth knowledge of molecular and non-molecular diagnostics around validation, Change control, SOP, training and competency documentation and implementation of new technologies. In particular our virology molecular strategy ensuring our new commercial assays are CEIVD compliant and meet the needs for our clinical services.
Infection Sciences carries out a large range of diagnostic tests for both microbiology and virology, with research interests in both disciplines. The post holder will be part of a small but enthusiastic Clinical Scientist team that leads an active service development programme in order to develop and maintain a high quality diagnostic service. You must be able to plan, prioritise and supervise the service development work and carry out duties with minimal supervision. Routine responsibilities will include delivering service improvements, contributing to quality control and assurance procedures and providing training for other staff from Synnovis and the Trust
Main duties of the job
Duties will include The provision of scientific leadership in specialist virology and microbiology diagnostic services particularly in terms of molecular assays. To follow the change control process to ensure new assays and technologies are appropriately validated and implemented. To initiate, develop and supervise appropriate evaluations of new assays and technologies, ensuring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and competencies are written and signed off prior to translation of new assays into service. As part of service development, conduct new diagnostic assays and train staff as required as part of the validation process and assay implementation.
This is a fantastic and exciting opportunity for a self-motivated individual to work with a dedicated and friendly team in Infection Sciences supporting the Cross-site Service Delivery Manager/Transformation manager and clinical scientists to help transform our services.
To arrange a visit or discuss this post please contact Fearghal Tucker Cross-site Service Delivery Manager & Transformation lead - Infection Sciences at fearghal.tucker@nhs.net
About us
Infection Sciences at St Thomas' and King's College Hospitals are both UKAS accredited and has a large team of staff, including five Clinical Scientists.
Virology consists of two sections; serology and molecular. The serology section is highly automated, using analysers such as the Abbott Architect, Tecan ELISA, Diasorin Liaison/XL and the Biomerieux Vidas as well as a selection of manual assays. The molecular section uses a variety of extraction platforms and liquid handlers, ABI 7500 Real-Time and AusDiagnostics EasyPlex and HighPlex instruments and Quant Stusio 7 thermocyclers, HIV, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B viral loads are performed on the Abbott Alinity M instrument. Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma genitalium and SARS-CoV-2 molecular assays are performed on the Hologic Panther platforms. St Thomas' also supports the Trust as a High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCID) - Respiratory unit via the Infection Sciences Microbiology CL3 suite, provides a diagnstic service for ECMO patients and both sites have been performing COVID-19 serology and RNA testing since the beginning of the global pandemic.
Microbiology has a range of automation across the two sites including blod culture analysers, MALDI-TOF, Molecular enterics and automated urine technology.
The Clinical Scientist team enjoys close interaction with our operational and clinical colleagues, and will work closely with the Cross-site Service Delivery/Transformation Lead.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
Guys and St Thomas Hospital and Kings College Hospital are both major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Womens Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Childrens Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guys site.
Summary of job description
- To provide scientific leadership in specialist virology and microbiology diagnostic services particularly in terms of molecular assays.
- To follow the change control process to ensure new assays and technologies are appropriately validated and implemented.
- The post holder will participate and contribute to the Target Operating Model (TOM) meetings and service migration plans.
- To initiate, develop and supervise appropriate evaluations of new assays and technologies.
- Search and appraise scientific literature and other sources of information critically.
- Ensure that all assay development and evaluations are ISO compliant and conducted in a timely manner, and all validation processes and documentation are completed according to designated laboratory protocols.
- Responsibility for ensuring that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and competencies are written and signed off prior to translation of new assays into service.
- To provide highly specialised scientific advice and technical support for the development and translation of assays into the diagnostic service.
- To propose changes to diagnostic policies and procedures based upon research and development evidence and to implement those changes within defined parameters
Service delivery
- To participate in working parties and liaison groups as necessary, in order to provide specialist scientific support.
- Ensure positive sample material are collected and stored appropriately for validation purposes.
- To ensure appropriate workflows in the hub for new technologies, working with transformation lead and service leads.
- As part of service development, conduct new diagnostic assays and train staff as required as part of the validation process and assay implementation.
- To propose changes to, and produce and implement, SOPs and service provision policies for new diagnostic assays.
- To work with the Beaker team to ensure all new assays are mapped and integrated to our new LIMS.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
Guys and St Thomas Hospital and Kings College Hospital are both major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Womens Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Childrens Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guys site.
Summary of job description
- To provide scientific leadership in specialist virology and microbiology diagnostic services particularly in terms of molecular assays.
- To follow the change control process to ensure new assays and technologies are appropriately validated and implemented.
- The post holder will participate and contribute to the Target Operating Model (TOM) meetings and service migration plans.
- To initiate, develop and supervise appropriate evaluations of new assays and technologies.
- Search and appraise scientific literature and other sources of information critically.
- Ensure that all assay development and evaluations are ISO compliant and conducted in a timely manner, and all validation processes and documentation are completed according to designated laboratory protocols.
- Responsibility for ensuring that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and competencies are written and signed off prior to translation of new assays into service.
- To provide highly specialised scientific advice and technical support for the development and translation of assays into the diagnostic service.
- To propose changes to diagnostic policies and procedures based upon research and development evidence and to implement those changes within defined parameters
Service delivery
- To participate in working parties and liaison groups as necessary, in order to provide specialist scientific support.
- Ensure positive sample material are collected and stored appropriately for validation purposes.
- To ensure appropriate workflows in the hub for new technologies, working with transformation lead and service leads.
- As part of service development, conduct new diagnostic assays and train staff as required as part of the validation process and assay implementation.
- To propose changes to, and produce and implement, SOPs and service provision policies for new diagnostic assays.
- To work with the Beaker team to ensure all new assays are mapped and integrated to our new LIMS.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the HCPC
- MSc in relevant subject
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- FRCPath Part 1
- PhD or equivalent in a relevant subject
Experience
Essential
- Experience of assay design, evaluation and validation of molecular and non-molecular assays in Infection Sciences
- General diagnostic virology and microbiology
- Team leadership and project management
- Teaching, training and supervision
Desirable
- Experience of next generation sequencing
- Experience of result authorisation
- Experience of working in UKAS accredited laboratory
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to undertake technical validation of results
- Highly developed analytical and problem solving skills
- Ability to independently develop molecular and non-molecular techniques
- Ability to provide scientific leadership and supervision
- A high level of organisational and supervisory skills with the ability to mentor and develop junior staff
- Ability to plan and organise a number of tasks, including research and diagnostic projects
- Good knowledge of molecular and non-molecular clinical diagnostics
- Specialist knowledge in research and development of diagnostic assays and translation into service
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the HCPC
- MSc in relevant subject
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- FRCPath Part 1
- PhD or equivalent in a relevant subject
Experience
Essential
- Experience of assay design, evaluation and validation of molecular and non-molecular assays in Infection Sciences
- General diagnostic virology and microbiology
- Team leadership and project management
- Teaching, training and supervision
Desirable
- Experience of next generation sequencing
- Experience of result authorisation
- Experience of working in UKAS accredited laboratory
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to undertake technical validation of results
- Highly developed analytical and problem solving skills
- Ability to independently develop molecular and non-molecular techniques
- Ability to provide scientific leadership and supervision
- A high level of organisational and supervisory skills with the ability to mentor and develop junior staff
- Ability to plan and organise a number of tasks, including research and diagnostic projects
- Good knowledge of molecular and non-molecular clinical diagnostics
- Specialist knowledge in research and development of diagnostic assays and translation into service
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
