Senior Genetic Technologist

Job content

A position has become available within the Molecular Diagnosis laboratory at King’s College Hospital for a Senior Genetic Technologist.

The post holder will work as part of the molecular diagnostic team and will be required to have an understanding of all types of instrumentation in the lab and the work processes that are followed. The post holder will support senior staff in the delivery of the next generation sequencing service. They will also be expected to support other staff to ensure continuous delivery of services. Any change that is implemented will need to be documented and recorded following UKAS standards. The post holder will actively assist in leading the technical team of the molecular pathology laboratory. They will be responsible for aiding the day to day allocation of technical work to the Genetic Technologists covering a broad repertoire of molecular genetics assays. They will be required to be competent in these assays, and will be responsible for ensuring that the technical work is carried out to the highest possible quality, by competent individuals and in a timely manner. They will also be responsible for teaching and training lower grades of staff, in how to perform tests, analyse data and carry out tasks.

The postholder will be required to have an in-depth understanding of quality management, assisting the molecular section in quality management documentation and audits.

They will also be responsible for first line troubleshooting of equipment and assays, therefore an in-depth knowledge of molecular techniques is essential for the role. They will be required to ensure provision and maintenance of equipment and records to ISO15189 standards.

They will also be required to have excellent communication skills and be comfortable working within a close-knit team.

Experience in quality management and the requirements of the ISO 15189 standards would be an advantage.

It is important that the postholder has a good knowledge of clinical molecular genetics and will undertake continual professional development activities to keep up to date.
1. Actively assist in directing the day-to-day operation of the laboratory technical work within Molecular Pathology, including delegating and supervising the technical work of laboratory staff

1. Processing samples for NGS with a key responsibility for supporting senior staff in the delivery of the next generation sequencing service.

1. Provide a comprehensive and appropriate diagnostic service to users through the performance of manual, semi-automated and fully-automated laboratory investigations in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures

1. Ensure all instrumentation in the laboratory is run, maintained and used appropriately. This includes ensuring all required external and internal calibrations & maintenance are organised in a timely manner. All records of which are documented.

1. Provide support for staff utilising highly specialised equipment, including assistance with maintenance and troubleshooting.

1. Be a first point of contact for instrument failures

1. Be a first point of contact for assay troubleshooting

1. Actively participate in the training of technical staff and support staff in the areas in which the postholder has been assessed as competent including laboratory instrumentation, new methodologies, units of the laboratory training program or other aspects of Molecular Pathology as required

1. Assess, initiate and monitor appropriate action when a situation may cause service delivery failure

1. Review assess and initiate corrective action when Quality Control procedures indicate loss of performance

1. Review and revise laboratory SOP on a regular basis and advise the operations manager of any material changes

1. Participation in audits to highlight deficiencies in the pre-examination, examination and post-examination process, as required by the operational manager

1. In conjunction with the service delivery manager and the scientific lead develop, evaluate and implement new tests and processes including production or amendment of SOP’s and provision and documentation of staff training

1. Participate in preparation of clinical reports for conditions you have been assessed to be competent in

1. Actively assisting in all aspects of quality management system, ensuring compliance with the standards of ISO15189

The laboratory is part of the South East Genomics Laboratory Hub and is a national reference centre for haemoglobinopathy diagnosis and a leader in the diagnosis of inherited red blood cell disorders. The laboratory offers targeted next generation sequencing for over 200 genes and has dedicated on site bioinformatics to support the service.

Your development and learning

You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development 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.

Communication
1. Participate in laboratory staff meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department relating to service issues, training needs and process changes

1. Service issues resolved in a timely manner or referred to the appropriate operations manager or lead scientist

1. Communicate any event, which may cause service delivery failure, or other issues/problems that may affect the laboratory or Molecular Pathology to the operations manager or lead scientist

1. Provide and receive complex information relating to the clinical condition and treatment of patients and/or the results and interpretation of diagnostic tests to and from work colleagues or users of the service

1. Prioritise and plan own workload within a given time period and communicate own work priorities within the team. Demonstrate flexibility in carrying out own work priorities within the team context

1. Liaise with users of the service as necessary, with direction of enquiries to the appropriate member of staff

1. Assist in developing and maintaining a customer oriented work environment

1. Maintain courteous and professional conduct at all times with staff, patients and visitors.

1. Liaise with medical and laboratory staff at external referral centres regarding results and sample requirements

Technical
1. Actively assist in directing the day-to-day operation of the laboratory technical work within Molecular Pathology, including delegating and supervising the technical work of laboratory staff

1. Processing samples for NGS with a key responsibility for supporting senior staff in the delivery of the next generation sequencing service.

1. Ensure all instrumentation in the laboratory is run, maintained and used appropriately. This includes ensuring all required external and internal calibrations & maintenance are organised in a timely manner. All records of which are documented.

1. Provide support for staff utilising highly specialised equipment, including assistance with maintenance and troubleshooting.

1. Be a first point of contact for instrument failures

1. Be a first point of contact for assay troubleshooting

1. Be proactive in suggesting new technical developments or ideas

1. Actively seek out quality improvement opportunities and lead on the development of corrective actions

1. Provide a comprehensive and appropriate diagnostic service to users through the performance of manual, semi-automated and fully-automated laboratory investigations in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures

1. Ensure work is completed timely and to satisfactory standards, results are reported within the agreed turnaround times and in accordance with the relevant Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

1. Monitor outstanding work lists and turnaround times of laboratory investigations and act on information to maintain and/or improve the service provided

1. To analyse samples from External Quality Assessment Schemes in a timely manner, communicate performance from this to the operations manager of the laboratory

1. Implement and maintain the Quality Assurance Procedures in the laboratory to measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations

1. Ensure documentation, analysis and graphical display of all Quality Assurance data generated by the work area

1. Review assess and initiate corrective action when Quality Control procedures indicate loss of performance

1. Assess, initiate and monitor appropriate action when a situation may cause service delivery failure

1. Review and revise laboratory SOP on a regular basis and advise the operations manager of any material changes

1. Ensure that reagents are prepared stored and used in a manner suitable for patient investigations

Scientific
1. Undertake training and development to successfully acquire core competencies necessary for of role and thereafter maintain the required standards of competence for effective service delivery

1. Maintain ongoing competency as required for the role

1. Develop and improve scientific knowledge and awareness of developments in the appropriate field of expertise via Continuing Professional Development (CPD) ensuring this knowledge is passed on to staff where appropriate

1. Maintain a portfolio that demonstrates CPD achievement

1. Maintain registration as either a Genetic Technologist with the AHCS, or as a Biomedical with the HCPC

1. In conjunction with the service delivery manager and the scientific lead develop, evaluate and implement new tests and processes including production or amendment of SOP’s and provision and documentation of staff training

1. Undertake laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the scientific lead and contribute to service development supported by evidence-based practice

1. Participate in research and development as directed

Clinical
1. Understand the genotype/ phenotype relationship in respect to the tests you are reporting

1. Participate in preparation of clinical reports for conditions you have been assessed to be competent in

1. Assess the clinical relevance and importance of diagnostic test requests, work in progress and test results

1. Efficient management of patients’ clinical material and maintenance of a safe ethical system of storage

1. Have a general understanding of ethics and the human tissue act with application to samples that may be used in research, test development or as a control

1. Understand the necessity for the accurate communication of complex information

1. Provide approved departmental information and advice to other healthcare professionals, and refer on to appropriate specialists requests for information

1. Participate in audit to highlight deficiencies in the pre-examination, examination and post-examination process, as required by the operational manager

Laboratory Informatics
1. Comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information

1. Be familiar with and proficient in the use of the Laboratory Information System’s (LIMS) in accordance with the relevant SOP’s

1. Enter Personally generated test results and those obtained by others on the LIMS

1. Undertake workflow management to ensure all results are reported within the required turnaround time

1. Records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of ISO15189

1. Maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases

1. Assist the head of laboratory to collect and monitor management and operational performance data including turnaround times, workload and materials consumption

1. Be competent at using any third party software deemed necessary for performing your role

Staff Management

1. Work with the laboratory managers and senior staff, assist in managing the allocation and co-ordination of the technical work of the laboratory, including staff deployment and if required, co-ordination of lunch and tea breaks to ensure that the laboratory is adequately staffed at all times and turnaround times are maintained

1. Manage the assignment of staff to work areas on a daily basis to cover scheduled absences

1. Actively participate in the training of technical staff and support staff in the areas in which the postholder has been assessed as competent including laboratory instrumentation, new methodologies, units of the laboratory training program or other aspects of Molecular Pathology as required

1. Participate in the work supervision and performance monitoring of junior staff and support staff ensuring that competency standards are maintained

1. Contribute to a learning environment and facilitate the CPD of staff in conjunction with the operations manager/ scientific lead and Training and Quality Manager

1. Provide support and guidance and motivate staff to meet specified standards of performance in relation to their role, monitor their progress and undertake initial counselling as required

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s 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.

King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. King’s has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.

Over the last 170 years, King’s has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.