Job overview
Applications are invited from enthusiastic and motivated candidates for the post of Medical Technical Officer 1 / Genetic Technologist (Synnovis Pay Band 4) to join our Prenatal and Reproductive Genetics (PreRep) / Developmental Disorders (Dev Dis) Teams within the South East Genomic Laboratory Hub (SEGLH), based at Guy’s Hospital.
The post holder will perform routine and complex genetic diagnostic tests and associated administration duties, with minimal supervision. The post holder will undertake laboratory duties such as prenatal sample preparation, DNA extraction, PCR set-up, capillary-based electrophoresis, cell culture, slide making and SNP array work. There will also be a range of other routine tasks including general laboratory housekeeping duties and administration duties.
Preference will be given to those candidates with experience of working in a genetics laboratory; knowledge of prenatal samples is beneficial. Attention to detail, excellent communication skills and the ability to prioritise work in a busy environment are all essential qualities for recruitment to this post. The post holder will work as part of a technical team under the line management of a senior technologist and will be expected to collaborate with clinical scientists and technicians from across the GLH.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as part of the PreRep / DevDis and technical teams, line managed by the Senior Medical Technical Officers. They will support the Clinical Scientists and Operational Leads in providing a comprehensive, high quality and responsive laboratory service. As a member of the PreRep / DevDis teams, you may be required to work with technical and scientific staff from other teams across the Genomics Laboratory Hub and Synnovis. Excellent communication skills are required to work effectively.
Working for our organisation
The Synnovis Genetics Laboratory has been designated the hub laboratory for the SEGLH Network led by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTfT) to provide the new National Genomic Medicine Service for NHS England. This network of laboratory providers is responsible for delivering genomic testing to a population of 8.6 million across South London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
The SEGLH provides a wide range of tests for detection of germline and somatic variants using state of the art technologies including whole exome sequencing, long-read sequencing and array CGH. The department has a number of ongoing R&D projects involving the application of NIPD and nanopore sequencing and works collaboratively with other groups such as GSTfT Biomedical Research Centre, GSTfT 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.
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.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Perform a range of cytogenetic and molecular genetic techniques to generate high quality data
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Contribute to service delivery and the maintenance of turnaround times within the department
Technical
• Use laboratory information systems according to protocols
• Preparation of reagents, solutions and media used within the department
• Responsible for monitoring stock levels within department and informing appropriate staff members of the need to order reagents and consumables
• Undertake routine and complex sample preparation with accuracy and precision
• Prepare and process samples under supervision for clinical trials and research and development projects as and when required
• Liaise with Technical Lead and/or Clinical Scientists regarding technical matters, sample preparation and further tests required
• Perform automated, semi-automated and manual processing of specimens which may require a high level of dexterity
• Ensure quality control measures are carried out to monitor analytical performance, take corrective action where applicable and report any failures to a senior member of staff
• Use of various laboratory equipment for sample processing
• Set up equipment for use by other members of staff
• Undertake preventative maintenance of automated analysers as and when required
• Undertake basic troubleshooting of expensive analytical instruments and automated analysers under supervision of senior staff
• File samples following appropriate protocols and keep records as required
• Dispose of excess and tested samples according to Health and Safety protocols
• Admin and other general duties.
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.
GSTT
Guy’s 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: Women’s Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Children’s Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guy’s 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 criteria
1. BSc (Hons) in relevant scientific discipline or equivalent
2. A demonstrable interest in Science or Healthcare
Experience
Essential criteria
3. Practical experience in molecular or cell culture laboratory techniques and equipment
4. Accurate pipetting skills
5. Handling and processing of clinical samples
Desirable criteria
6. Previous work within a diagnostic laboratory
7. Experience of handling human DNA
8. Experience of processing prenatal samples for genetic analysis
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
9. Good co-ordination skills with good dexterity and hand eye co-ordination and those skills required for the performance of analytical techniques
10. Numerate and literate with good command of spoken and written English
11. Able to communicate information accurately
12. Ability to work systematically and under pressure in a busy environment
13. Ability to work unsupervised when required
14. Accuracy and attention to detail
15. Competent and polite telephone manner
16. Good computer keyboard skills
17. Awareness of health & safety issues
18. Ability to plan and prioritise allocated work
Desirable criteria
19. Knowledge of medical terminology
20. Knowledge and understanding of the role of Pathology Laboratories in the diagnosis and treatment of disease
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:
21. Contributory pension scheme
22. Generous annual leave entitlement
23. 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.