Job overview
Clinical Scientist – Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service at King’s College Hospital
We are seeking an enthusiastic HCPC-registered Clinical Scientist to join the South East Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (SE-HMDS) within the South East Genomic Laboratory Hub based at King’s College Hospital. This is an exciting opportunity to advance your career in haematological malignancy genomics within a dynamic and collaborative environment.
You will have experience in cancer genomics, strong communication skills, and a proactive work ethic. Prior experience in a haemato-oncology genomics diagnostic laboratory is highly desirable.
The HMDS laboratories comprise a friendly, multidisciplinary team of around 50 scientists and technicians. The lab delivers a range of genomic investigations to support diagnosis, prognosis, and disease monitoring. Your responsibilities will include:
• Analysis and interpretation of data across a range of platforms, which may include NGS panels, G-banding, FISH analysis and SNP arrays
• Authorise genomic test results
• Contribute to the development and validation of new assays and instrumentation
• Collaborate closely with clinical teams and other SE-HMDS laboratories.
• Present results in multidisciplinary team (MDT) and Genomics Tumour Advisory Board meetings
Main duties of the job
You will be responsible for managing your own caseload and take responsibility for delivering a high-quality service covering a range of specialised investigations for the SE-Haematological Diagnostics Service. The role involves data analysis, result evaluation, interpretation and reporting of haematological malignancies, ensuring work is carried out to a high standard and within relevant target reporting times. You will participate at a senior level in all aspects of the work carried out by the SE-HMDS, with an emphasis on cytogenetics, NGS analysis and SNP-A microarray data, and Whole Genome Sequencing data analysis. Your role will include presenting data to clinical colleagues in MTDs and Genomic Tumour Advisory Board meetings. You will contribute to new test development and optimisation of existing services, quality management activities including carrying out audits, ensuring compliance with UKAS ISO15189: 2022 laboratory accreditation standards, and teaching and training of staff and students at all levels. Depending on other requirements of the laboratory, some home working will be possible. Occasional flexibility in working hours may be needed, with time off in lieu. Good communication, team working and supervisory skills are essential. As a Band 7 Clinical Scientist, you may be required to formally line-manage staff. This is a fast-paced environment, so it is essential that you can work to the highest standard efficiently and safely.
Working for our organisation
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.
We will assist you to maintain a portfolio that demonstrates CPD achievement and is compliant with the requirements of ongoing HCPC registration. We support flexible working patterns and remote working for activities that can be performed off-site to promote a healthy work/life balance.
Detailed job description and main 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.
Candidates with appropriate experience who are preparing for HCPC registration as a clinical scientist within 6 months, or who are HCPC registered as a biomedical scientist are also encouraged to apply. If successful, such candidates will be employed at Synnovis Pay Band 6.
Purpose of the Job:
The post holder will participate at a senior level in all aspects of the work carried out by the South East Haematological Malignancies Diagnostic Service (SE-HMDS). The service is located in the King’s College Hospital campus, Denmark Hill. Reporting to the Principal or Consultant Clinical Scientist, you will have a high level of responsibility, including training, management of EQA/IQC processes and research to ensure the successful delivery of pathology services, in line with our corporate objectives. You will have your own caseload and responsibilities and will undertake analysis, interpretation and reporting of cases, ensuring work is carried out to a high standard and within relevant target reporting times. You will implement new Standard Operating Procedures as necessary, and review/update existing documentation on a regular basis using the laboratory document management system. As a senior member of staff, you will be expected to provide specialist training and advice to service users and other members of staff from the SE-HMDS and will be expected to help deliver the strategic aims of the service.
What you will do:
You will hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment. These include, but are not limited to:
·Day-to-day responsibility for the provision of a range of clinical, technical and scientific diagnostic activities, including interpretation and clinical validation of results; communicating complex information and advice that will aid and determine clinical diagnosis.
·Supervise and provide specialised training to less experienced employees, students, trainees and other healthcare professionals
·Undertake research in your own field under the direction of more senior clinical scientist colleagues, contributing to the development of specialist investigations, identifying better ways of working and finding efficiencies in service delivery.
·Participate in research activities and publications; attend and present at regional, national and international meetings.
·Spend a proportion of time focused on quality and UKAS orientated activities, service development and technical and clinical validation of results.
Key Responsibilities
·Maintain standards of conduct required by the HCPC to practice as a registered Clinical Scientist.
·Perform investigations in line with local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including but not limited to result authorisation, ordering follow-up laboratory procedures, initiating actions, escalating results when required.
·As a member of a Sample Checking team, to routinely triage samples to ensure correct testing and sample processing occurs.
·Perform necessary action on the Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), ensuring all Information Governance (IG) requirements are met.
·Communicate complex results, including making clinical and differential judgements involving complicated facts or situations that impact on patients. This will include exchanging specialist information with colleagues from your own and other disciplines.
·Provide specialist expertise and technical advice to other laboratory and clinical colleagues as required and within limits of competency.
·Participate in the strategic development and service improvement of the analytical service, being responsible for the implementation of new techniques, equipment, and tests, including all verification and validation work. Where necessary this may include analysing clinical trial samples.
·Keep up to date with new developments by regular literature reviews and attendance at relevant conferences.
·Undertake research projects in specialised area in collaboration or as requested by Principal or Consultant Clinical Scientists. Ensure outcomes from research and development are placed in the public domain by publication and presentation at relevant local, national and international conferences.
·Ensure all incidents and events are correctly reported in the quality management system and other relevant software and support junior staff in learning quality procedures and investigations.
·In conjunction with the Quality team, monitor, report and action errors, hazards, and incidents logged in the CAPA module of Q-Pulse. This may include taking part in investigations of incidents and providing expert insight into making improvements based on outcomes.
·Participate in appropriate clinical audits and take part in all Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activity in your area.
·Monitor, and report on EQA and IQC procedures and be responsible for corrective action on problems that have been identified.
·Ensure compliance with all legislative and quality requirements of regulatory directives, accreditation bodies, and local management including:
oUKAS
oSynnovis policies and SOPs
oAny other body in area of responsibility.
·Prepare statistical reports for use in meetings, quality assurance, and development events.
·Develop, prepare, write, and review relevant documents, including SOPs, COSHH and risk assessments in line with the ISO 15189 standard.
·Provide supervision for employees, including participating in the departmental clinical rota, potentially including out of hours cover.
·Ensure that all Synnovis policies and procedures are implemented and maintained.
·Encourage junior employees in their scientific expertise, knowledge and professional development, including the safe use of highly complex and sensitive equipment.
·Deliver training and supervision of less experienced colleagues in your area of specialism.
·Demonstrate professionalism, patience and empathy when explaining complex subjects, and in particular when communicating with people who do not share same level of knowledge or understanding.
·Attend, and where required, chair regular departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.
·Deputise for the Principal or Consultant Clinical Scientist including attendance at meetings, as required.
·Maintain good working relations with all members of staff and promote effective teamwork while recognising others’ skills and abilities.
·Communicate with support services and suppliers for orders/issues as necessary.
·Take part in CPD activities to ensure that your practices and knowledge are always relevant and up to date to your specific area.
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.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. BSc honours degree in a relevant scientific or Healthcare Science subject
2. MSc in relevant scientific subject or equivalent
3. HCPC State registration as a Clinical Scientist
4. Evidence of Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Desirable criteria
5. Willing to work towards higher levels of professional practice such as FRCPath Part 1
Experience
Essential criteria
6. Registered clinical scientist with a detailed working knowledge of the specific discipline
7. Supervising junior employees
8. Education of physiology, pathology, and scientific principles relevant to specialism
9. Experience in and ability to perform and supervise analysis, interpretation and technical validation of routine, complex and specialist results
10. Using Laboratory Information Management Systems
11. Maintaining quality systems
12. Experience of UKAS accreditation or performing audits
13. Evidence of research and development capability, or development of new techniques and troubleshooting existing assays.
Desirable criteria
14. Experience in diagnostics techniques relevant to haemato-oncology
15. Familiar with haematological malignancy report writing and/or authorisation
16. Involvement in research and development projects
17. Leadership qualities with experience of coaching, co-ordinating and managing a team
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
18. A high degree of skill, knowledge and judgement where interpretation of results can be highly subjective
19. Well-developed physical skills, demonstrable ability to use precision equipment and consumables
20. Ability to troubleshoot and train those who use the Laboratory Information Management Systems
21. Ability to manage effectively in a dynamic environment with multiple conflicting priorities
22. Competent at communicating verbally and in writing with colleagues, clinical staff and external parties
23. Ability to effectively manage own time, able to prioritise work for self and study
24. Ability to maintain focus and concentration for extended periods of time
25. Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
26. Knowledge of the correct policies and procedures to implement in relation to quality systems, with reference to ISO/UKAS
27. Knowledge of the management of laboratory procedures in your own areas, including following Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
Desirable criteria
28. Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
Our Bank workers enjoy competitive market rates and flexible contract assignments across all of our sites, dependent on your availability and location.
For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.
All employees are entitled to:
29. Contributory pension scheme
30. Generous annual leave entitlement
31. Ground breaking development
opportunities
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.