Job summary
This role within the Cancer Genetics team, facilitates the genomic investigation journey by working with patients, relatives, clinical services, other healthcare professionals and the genomic laboratory hub to improve access to care and help ensure patients receive timely, safe and a high-quality service.
The Genomic Associate will be based in the Clinical Genetics Service at Northwick Park Hospital and will work alongside clinical geneticists, genetic counsellors, laboratory staff and other healthcare professionals to provide enhanced contact with patients at the point of referral, and after genetic testing and counselling, to facilitate the collection of information and obtain consent, where needed. The post holder will be responsible for requesting test reports, relevant tissue/samples and testing by liaising with laboratories, families, and clinical teams., as well as the tracking of such requests .
Under supervision they may also support: They will be responsible for arranging breast screening for those at high risk and keeping spreadsheets/records updated.
The team with cancer triage by obtaining family history information, entering of data for online cancer risk assessments and generating a risk calculation using that program (e.g. CanRisk) for interpretation and use by genetic counsellors and clinical geneticists.
Main duties of the job
Contact healthcare professionals about referrals and ensure all appropriate information is received prior to clinic.
Contact patients to verify referral information, obtain reports, gather family history information, ascertain any language needs, and provide basic pre-clinic information including details of appointment process. May also need to explain why we need relative's report for predictive testing and/or request they pass consent forms to relative/s to obtain consent to release relevant medical information.
Contact laboratories or other clinical genetics services to obtain genetic test reports.
Check pathogenicity of variants, including checking online databases and liaising with laboratory to request variant reviews.
Once patients/families have been seen by a genetics professional, to support the clinical team by obtaining any outstanding reports, liaising with other appropriate healthcare professionals to arrange any screening or where appropriate, procedures, to assist patients with consenting process and liaising with laboratory to ensure samples are received and that process is seamless for patients.
About us
The department provides a comprehensive genetic service to 4.1million in the NW London, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. There are close links with St. Mark's Hospital Familial Cancer Clinic. Clinics are conducted from our base at Northwick Park Hospital and at peripheral clinics within the NW Thames region.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To view the main responsibility, please see the attached the Job Description and Person Specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To view the main responsibility, please see the attached the Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential
- Registered nurse or someone educated to degree level in a relevant subject (such as biology, genetics, biomedical sciences, psychology) with specialist training and/or experience.
Desirable
- Completed or enrolled in MSc in genetic / genomic counselling
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing information systems and developing databases and spreadsheets
- Experience of working in a clinical/medical NHS setting
- Experience of discussing sensitive and confidential information with patients
Desirable
- Knowledge of cancer genetics
- Knowledge of the work of Clinical Genetics units
Skills, Abilities and Attributes
Essential
- Understanding of impact of disease and chronic ill health on individual and their family
- Ability to deal with patients in a sensitive and empathetic manner
- Ability to analyse information and identify key records required (following training)
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to prioritise own workload and work to strict guidelines
- Proficient in MS Word, Excel and Power Point, as well as ability to learn to use local patient information systems
- Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team but also on own with minimal supervision
Desirable
- Prior experience of applying NHS and NIHR policies on consent, confidentiality, data protection and Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential
- Registered nurse or someone educated to degree level in a relevant subject (such as biology, genetics, biomedical sciences, psychology) with specialist training and/or experience.
Desirable
- Completed or enrolled in MSc in genetic / genomic counselling
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing information systems and developing databases and spreadsheets
- Experience of working in a clinical/medical NHS setting
- Experience of discussing sensitive and confidential information with patients
Desirable
- Knowledge of cancer genetics
- Knowledge of the work of Clinical Genetics units
Skills, Abilities and Attributes
Essential
- Understanding of impact of disease and chronic ill health on individual and their family
- Ability to deal with patients in a sensitive and empathetic manner
- Ability to analyse information and identify key records required (following training)
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to prioritise own workload and work to strict guidelines
- Proficient in MS Word, Excel and Power Point, as well as ability to learn to use local patient information systems
- Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team but also on own with minimal supervision
Desirable
- Prior experience of applying NHS and NIHR policies on consent, confidentiality, data protection and Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Address
LNWUH Trust, Northwick Park & St. Mark's Hospital's
Watford Road
Harrow
HA1 3UJ
Employer's website
https://www.lnwh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
