Job responsibilities
JOB
PURPOSE/SUMMARY
Work closely with the Y&NE GLH
Lead Scientist(s) to ensure Y&NE GLH is at the forefront of National
Genomic Testing Service and is underpinned by all appropriate structures
(scientific, educational, quality and managerial) to maintain that position.
Under the professional supervision
of the Lead Scientist, develop specific areas of highly specialist expertise
and responsibility in clinical areas and provide significant clinical
liaison. Rotation may be required to support organisational need.
Under the managerial supervision of
the local Deputy for Oncology or Rare Disease, develop areas of highly
specialist expertise and responsibility in managerial areas.
To participate in some aspects of
the management process within the laboratory, including some aspects of human
resource management.
Background
The reconfiguration of Genetic
Laboratory service provision in England is supporting the creation of a world
class resource in the use of genomics and genetic technologies within the
NHS. It is based around the consolidation of services in to a network of
Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs) to create a genomic laboratory service
infrastructure for the NHS in England.
Y&NE GLH comprises of a
partnership arrangement between several organisations (Leeds Teaching
Hospitals Trust, Sheffield Childrens Hospital FT, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Hospitals FT and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals FT).
Key responsibilities of Y&NE
GLH:
Consolidate services to deliver
significant efficiencies
Operate within a national testing
network
Technical and analytical platforms
Bioinformatics, annotation and
validation
Clinical interpretation, reporting
and returning of results
Quality management and assurance of
both processes and data
Plan & develop workforce for
now and the future
Organisational governance and
partnership arrangements
Promotion of research and
innovation
Y&NE GLH will work across
defined geographies to:
Work with other GLHs to form a
national network of genomic laboratories providing a coordinated national
genomic laboratory service, which will be part of the planned NHS Genomic
Medicine Service.
Participate in regular meetings
convened by NHS Englands Genomic Unit as part of the national network.
Deliver genomic testing, as
outlined in the National Genomic Test Directory.
Provide the genomic testing service
for national specialist testing within prescribed GLHs of the national
network, and will work with the relevant clinicians and genomic MDTs.
Be responsible for establishing and
maintaining local networks of any subcontracted laboratories and designated
providers for cancer genomic testing providing a coordinated and
comprehensive service to deliver standardised outcomes, ongoing
consolidation, quality improvement, and adoption of new technologies under a
suitable operating infrastructure and partnership agreement.
Consolidate the existing specialist
genetic laboratories into state of the art, high throughput, high quality and
standardised laboratories through the delivery of the majority of genomic
tests running through a single laboratory based in Leeds.
Operate enhanced working practices
to ensure genomic testing services are available to support the delivery of
seven day services, and ensure that genomic technology platforms are fully
optimised.
Be responsible for ensuring quality
and the ongoing review of opportunities to further consolidate networked
services, based on technological advances, the changing evidence base for
genomic testing and the National Test Directory.
Be accountable to NHS Englands
Genomics Unit within an agreed governance and operational framework that will
oversee the test repertoire, co-ordinate the provision new national
specialised testing services, monitor performance and finance.
Fulfil
the membership criteria for UKGTN, UKAS ISO accreditation and any additional
requirements as specified by the NHS England Genomics Unit.
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical
and Professional
To supervise and manage in all
aspects and take responsibility for specific service areas provided by the laboratory
including all clinical and developmental aspects, liaison with clinicians and
reporting.
To demonstrate and apply a thorough
understanding of the scientific principles involved in the delivery of the
service including troubleshooting, where appropriate, of existing assays.
To correctly interpret and report
the results of tests including those carried out by other members of staff.
This can include complex statistical analysis, probability calculations to
provide a risk estimate, the accurate clinical interpretation of abnormal
results and use of specialised interpretive software.
To be responsible for the accuracy,
timeliness and appropriateness of a variety of routine and non-routine highly
specialist genetic tests.
To be personally responsible for
the time management of multiple tasks as described in the job description and
be able to respond to changing requirements.
To ensure that the service is
effective and current by regular literature review.
In consultation with and under the overall
supervision of the Head of Laboratory and their Deputy, to liaise with all
clinical disciplines and laboratory departments in relation to the services
at a local, regional and national level to ensure that the service is
maintained and developed appropriately.
To participate in policy
development in area of specialisation at a national level.
To implement national policies
regarding area of specialisation within the department and advise senior
management where they impact on the department.
To attend appropriate
multidisciplinary team meetings on behalf of the department to give
professional opinion on clinical cases.
To supervise the participation in
external quality control schemes for the service ensuring that the results
are provided in a timely and appropriate manner.
To be responsible for the
comprehensive auditing of services provided, ensuring that all performance
targets are monitored.
To contribute to the Health &
Safety assessment of all processes within the group.
To check and countersign reports
for a wide range of other services. Checking will include the accuracy and
interpretation of results, the accuracy and validity of statistical or risk
calculations, and the information and wording of the report.
To operate a flexible work practice
outside normal working hours, this enables the efficient delivery of
pre-natal, predictive or urgent testing.
To abide by the confidentiality
policy, taking into account the sensitive and possible emotional nature of
clinical referrals.
To maintain and update existing
laboratory databases of clinical referrals, results and reports.
Managerial
To supervise and manage these
services to national standards, providing appropriate advice and support to
other Clinical Scientists/Healthcare Scientist and Practitioners/Genetic
technologists where needed.
To manage and supervise the staff
allocated to the above service(s) in all aspects of service provision.
To provide managerial and reporting
cover across the department where competent.
To advise the management as to the
strategic importance of any development for these services with regard to the
commissioning process.
Participate in the recruitment and
selection process of staff for these services.
Conduct staff reviews and personal
development planning for these services.
Teaching,
Research and Service Development
To participate in the training
programme of the department.
Provide training for both clinical
services and managerial functions where appropriate.
Participate in the development and
validation of new tests of clinical diagnostic and prognostic importance
within the section in a co-ordinated, cost-effective and timely manner.
Analytical
and Judgmental Skills required for the post
Broad practical and theoretical
knowledge of Human Genetics with some areas of highly specialist skills and
detailed knowledge.
Knowledge of Health and Safety and
Quality Management in a laboratory environment particularly audit, clinical
audit and audit processes.
Excellent skills in the
interpretation and reporting of highly complex DNA analysis and/or highly
complex chromosome abnormalities.
Planning
and Organisational Skills required for the post
Represent Y&NE GLH at
Operational Working Group as and when required.
Workforce planning to ensure
sufficient staffing at the right skill level to deliver the service.
Manage activity to ensure Genomic
Tests are interpreted and reported in accordance with national guidance and
the Turnaround Times.
Ensure Y&NE GLH has, or has
access to appropriate technologies with sufficient capacity to meet service
needs.
Demonstrable ability to manage
groups of services, including staff .
Ability to train and develop staff
in clinical science.
Physical
Dexterity Skills required for the post
Skills for manipulating specimens.
Standard keyboard skills.
Use of scientific equipment.
Good manual dexterity and hand/eye
coordination to make fine adjustments to delicate instrumentation.
Tasks
that are typically expected of the job holder Specialised Service.
To be the service lead for a
specified specialised service (eg Inherited Cancer) and responsible for
delivering that service for the Y&NE GLH
To be responsible for the accuracy,
timeliness and appropriateness of a variety of routine and non-routine
genetic tests as determined by the national genomics test directory.
To have knowledge and expertise of
the specific specialised service and to further develop specific areas of
highly specialised expertise.
