Job summary
We are looking for a highly motivated Clinical Scientist to join our comprehensive Genetics Service at the South East Genomic Laboratory Hub (SEGLH) at Guy's Hospital, to support the continued provision of service and development of new tests aligned to the NHSE Genetics Test Directory.
We are recruiting to the Monogenics team, comprising of core and specialist services in the SEGLH hub laboratory. This is a full-time permanent position for whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis and the associated diagnostic discovery pathway.
The successful applicant will be dedicated and enthusiastic, joining a vibrant team of clinical scientists and pre-registered scientists.
We prefer a hybrid working pattern with some time spent in our London office. However, we are open to applications from candidates based in the UK who wish to work fully remotely. Please note that we are currently only able to support remote work for individuals who are based in the UK. Our standard working hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through to Friday.
As well as service work, our scientists are given opportunities for a role in service development, and participation in RCPath training and examinations is encouraged. Applicants should have good communication skills, be able to take initiative, support continual quality improvement and prioritise workload. The role requires consistent attention to detail and excellent organisational skills, as well as an ability to work within a team.
Main duties of the job
The Monogenics team provide a wide range of single gene testing services as well as WGS, and there is active cross-training between other service groups in Genetics to ensure scientists achieve competency in both SNV and CNV data interpretation.
Scientists are expected to contribute in one or more rare disease areas and to work with members of the clinical, scientific and technical teams to deliver a high-quality laboratory diagnostic service including participation at MDTs. Data analysis is fully supported by the Bioinformatics team that is embedded with the Genetics department.
The scientist team are led by a management group that oversee five sub teams; Core, Cancer, Neurology, WGS and Direct Tests which includes the diagnostic discovery pathway. These staff work alongside genomics coordinators who manage lab enquiries and triage new referrals.
The scientist team work alongside the technical team who are located in the Genetics Laboratories in the Tower Wing at Guy's Hospital.
We have a number of staff who are completing STP and HSST programmes in the department, and an increasing number of scientists have achieved registration through route 2 or equivalence pathways.
About us
The Genetics laboratories are part of Synnovis and are located within the Guy's Hospital site.
The Genetics department is made up of more than 120 staff and with close links to Clinical Services throughout Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTfT) and St George's Hospital Foundation Trust. With our partner laboratories, the GLH for the South London region provides a comprehensive genomics service for a population of 8 million which includes specialist germline and cancer tests and a class-leading whole exome sequencing service.
The laboratory works collaboratively with other pathology disciplines and research groups such as GSTfT Biomedical Research Centre and Genomics Innovation Unit and the GSTfT Assisted Conception Unit for Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis.
Your development and learning:
You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The ACCE competencies programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.
Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.
Job description
Job responsibilities
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.
Purpose of the Job:
The post holder will be an experienced professional who has developed their skills and theoretical knowledge to a high standard, performing a highly complex role and continuously developing clinical, scientific and technical practice within a defined field. They will be registered with the HCPC and will be proficient in analysis, interpretation and reporting of genomic data from one or more areas of service including (WGS, NGS, Sanger, MLPA, linkage, variant interpretation and genotyping).
They will be given responsibility for areas of service and test development, and will be expected to support technical teams for a range of laboratory duties. They will be responsible for ensuring that testing and reporting are completed to a high standard within target reporting times, and be responsible for checking and authorisation of a subset of results and or reports. The post holder may have line management responsibilities and will be expected to act as a supportive senior member of the team.
Key Responsibilities:
- You will undertake various responsibilities which include, but are not limited to:
- Playing an active role in the WGS team, including analysing and reporting of results.
- Working as part of the Direct team monitoring the return of results within the diagnostic discovery pathway, investigating, confirming and reporting results.
- Ensuring turnaround times are consistently met.
- Communication of complex information that will aid clinical diagnosis to colleagues and clinicians, including attendance of meetings such as MDTs.
- Collaborate with the technical team and other teams within Genomics to ensure accurate investigation and reporting.
- Participation in rotas across Monogenics to check results such as variant classification, Sanger sequencing, act as duty scientist or check export paperwork.
- Routinely triage referrals in line with the National test Directory and eligibility criteria to ensure correct testing.
- Maintain standards of conduct required by the HCPC to practice as a registered Clinical Scientist.
- Ensure your practice and knowledge are always relevant and up to date as part of your CPD, including literature reviews and attendance at meetings or conferences.
- Proactively suggest improvements and efficiencies within services and participation in the validation and verification of new processes.
- Ensure quality procedures are embedded in everyday practice including raising errors and actioning subsequent improvements within QPulse; writing, reviewing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), risk assessments etc in line with ISO 15189 standards and ensuring competencies and training are continually up to date.
- Participate in EQA procedures including analysis, reporting, feedback and improvements.
- Ensure that all Synnovis policies and procedures are implemented and maintained.
- Deliver training and supervision of colleagues and trainees within your service area.
- Maintain good working relations with all staff members and promote effective teamwork while recognising others skills and abilities.
- Demonstrate professionalism, patience and empathy when explaining complex subjects, in particular when communicating with people who do not share same level of knowledge or understanding.
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!
Job description
Job responsibilities
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.
Purpose of the Job:
The post holder will be an experienced professional who has developed their skills and theoretical knowledge to a high standard, performing a highly complex role and continuously developing clinical, scientific and technical practice within a defined field. They will be registered with the HCPC and will be proficient in analysis, interpretation and reporting of genomic data from one or more areas of service including (WGS, NGS, Sanger, MLPA, linkage, variant interpretation and genotyping).
They will be given responsibility for areas of service and test development, and will be expected to support technical teams for a range of laboratory duties. They will be responsible for ensuring that testing and reporting are completed to a high standard within target reporting times, and be responsible for checking and authorisation of a subset of results and or reports. The post holder may have line management responsibilities and will be expected to act as a supportive senior member of the team.
Key Responsibilities:
- You will undertake various responsibilities which include, but are not limited to:
- Playing an active role in the WGS team, including analysing and reporting of results.
- Working as part of the Direct team monitoring the return of results within the diagnostic discovery pathway, investigating, confirming and reporting results.
- Ensuring turnaround times are consistently met.
- Communication of complex information that will aid clinical diagnosis to colleagues and clinicians, including attendance of meetings such as MDTs.
- Collaborate with the technical team and other teams within Genomics to ensure accurate investigation and reporting.
- Participation in rotas across Monogenics to check results such as variant classification, Sanger sequencing, act as duty scientist or check export paperwork.
- Routinely triage referrals in line with the National test Directory and eligibility criteria to ensure correct testing.
- Maintain standards of conduct required by the HCPC to practice as a registered Clinical Scientist.
- Ensure your practice and knowledge are always relevant and up to date as part of your CPD, including literature reviews and attendance at meetings or conferences.
- Proactively suggest improvements and efficiencies within services and participation in the validation and verification of new processes.
- Ensure quality procedures are embedded in everyday practice including raising errors and actioning subsequent improvements within QPulse; writing, reviewing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), risk assessments etc in line with ISO 15189 standards and ensuring competencies and training are continually up to date.
- Participate in EQA procedures including analysis, reporting, feedback and improvements.
- Ensure that all Synnovis policies and procedures are implemented and maintained.
- Deliver training and supervision of colleagues and trainees within your service area.
- Maintain good working relations with all staff members and promote effective teamwork while recognising others skills and abilities.
- Demonstrate professionalism, patience and empathy when explaining complex subjects, in particular when communicating with people who do not share same level of knowledge or understanding.
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 honours in a relevant scientific or Healthcare Science subject
- HCPC clinical scientist registration (candidates working towards state registration will be considered)
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Desirable
- Higher degree in Biological Science
- Willing to work towards higher levels of professional practice such as FRCPath part 1
Experience
Essential
- Experience working in a diagnostic genetics laboratory.
- Wide experience of both commonly used and specialised techniques for the genetic testing of samples, including troubleshooting.
- Experience of writing clinical diagnostic reports for patients referred for genomic testing.
- Experience of Quality management and UKAS accreditation
Desirable
- Report checking and authorisation
- Experience of working with a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience of teaching and presenting in specialist area.
- Experience of training others
- Experience of carrying out/supervising research and development projects.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills, and ability to communicate complex ideas to a wide range of people at a local, national and international level
- Advanced practical and theoretical knowledge and understanding of genomics testing
- Ability to effectively manage and prioritise workloads
Desirable
- Line management experience and skills
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc honours in a relevant scientific or Healthcare Science subject
- HCPC clinical scientist registration (candidates working towards state registration will be considered)
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Desirable
- Higher degree in Biological Science
- Willing to work towards higher levels of professional practice such as FRCPath part 1
Experience
Essential
- Experience working in a diagnostic genetics laboratory.
- Wide experience of both commonly used and specialised techniques for the genetic testing of samples, including troubleshooting.
- Experience of writing clinical diagnostic reports for patients referred for genomic testing.
- Experience of Quality management and UKAS accreditation
Desirable
- Report checking and authorisation
- Experience of working with a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience of teaching and presenting in specialist area.
- Experience of training others
- Experience of carrying out/supervising research and development projects.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills, and ability to communicate complex ideas to a wide range of people at a local, national and international level
- Advanced practical and theoretical knowledge and understanding of genomics testing
- Ability to effectively manage and prioritise workloads
Desirable
- Line management experience and skills
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).
