Clinical Scientist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Service Delivery

1. Participation in all aspects of the Cancer genetics workload, including solid tumour NGS and AML MRD analysis, interpretation, reporting and administration.

2. Accurately perform complex analysis of samples referred for Cancer analysis - this requires frequent and prolonged periods of concentration. Analytical techniques used will depend on individual competencies and training; duties could include G-band, FISH, NGS and AML MRD analysis of cancer samples

3. Check the analytical work of other team members in line with own individual competencies. This includes checking the analysis of staff at band 6 and below who are not HCPC registered.

4. Responsibility for the final checking of a proportion of reports written by the team including; checking accuracy and interpretation of results and diagnostic and prognostic implications.

5. Provision of highly specialised scientific advice and technical support to users of the diagnostic Cancer Genetics service and to other scientific and technical staff.

Quality and Management

1. Participate in the preparation and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and in the review of these documents.

2. Ensure that work is carried out in line with Standard Operating Procedures and Departmental policy.

3. Ensure the Departmental Health and Safety Policy are adhered to, and under take the risk assessment of procedures as appropriate.

Education and Training

1. Assist in the training of trainee scientists, biomedical scientists and medical staff. To have particular responsibility for providing specialist training to staff in own area of expertise.

2. Encourage and support junior staff to develop their full potential for the benefit of the laboratory service and their careers.

3. Promote the teaching and training of scientific, medical and technical staff and to collaborate in the effort to keep staff abreast of advances in human molecular genetics

General duties

1. Participate in working parties and liaison groups as necessary.

2. Strictly adhere to local laboratory and Department of Health and Safety regulations and Codes of Practice.

3. Demonstrate awareness of and compliance with Health and Safety regulations, Data Protection, and SOPs.

4. Participate in laboratory and clinical audits.

5. Ensure workplace and workbench areas are kept to laboratory standards.6. Undertake mandatory training as required by Synnovis.

7. Maintain and promote the professional image of Synnovis.

8. Participate in the PPR cycle, and be assessed against objectives relevant to the role of a clinical scientist.

9. Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings when required.

Key Working Arrangements

1. Work independently and autonomously rather than under direct supervision of more senior staff.

2. Guidance is available from the Cancer Genetics operational management team as and when required.

Special Working Conditions

1. Frequently undertake repetitive tasks involving the use of VDU resulting in prolonged periods of sitting in a restricted position.

2. Monitor exposure to hazardous environmental and chemical substances.

3. Undertake investigations of biological specimens which have adverse pathological risks associated with them.

4. Frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions due to the variety of specimens processed including tumour biopsies and bodily fluids.

5. May be required to work shifts or provide out of hours cover as determined by service need and as directed in individual contracts of employment.

At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.

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 Foundation Trust is a 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.

You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in a relevant scientific discipline
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)
• Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) in Genetics/Cancer Genetics or final year STP nearing completion
• Completion of a recognised training programme in Cancer Genetics such as the NSHCS Scientific Training Programme (STP)

Desirable

• Professional qualification such as FRCPath part 1 in Genetics or Molecular Pathology
• Higher degree in biological science

Experience

Essential

• Ability to troubleshoot practical issues arising within the cancer genetics laboratory
• Demonstrable specialist diagnostic cancer genetics experience gained by working in a team specialising in somatic cancer genetic analysis
• Experience of analysing cancer genetic samples using a range of techniques for molecular genetic and/or cytogenetic analysis
• Experience of writing clinical diagnostic reports for patients referred for cancer cytogenetic and/or molecular genetic and testing.

Desirable

• Experience of mutation analysis using appropriate PCR and Sanger sequencing methodologies
• Experience of fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) analysis of formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue sections
• Able to perform karyotype analysis by G-banding
• Experience of NGS data analysis and accompanying sequence variant interpretation

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to sit in a restricted position for prolonged periods e.g. at a microscope
• Comprehensive theoretical knowledge of haematology/oncology and/or adult solid tumour genetics
• Experience of interpreting results for cancer genetic analysis
• Ability to clearly communicate scientific and organisational information both in written and verbal form

Desirable

• Experience of clinical and technical validation of new tests
• Demonstrable supervisory work within a genetics laboratory
• An effective team member and leader

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Synnovis Analytics

Address

Guy's Hospital

Great Maze Pond

London

SE1 9RT

Employer's website

http://www.synnovis.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)