Job summary
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 genomic Associate will also help to facilitate access to the service, particularly amongst marginalised communities and families who are difficult to engage. 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 They will keep clinicians and patients updated on progress, highlighting any long waiters.
Under supervision, you will support the team with keeping spreadsheets, databases and portals updated for gene carriers, as well as undertaking regular audit to ensure patients are accepted onto screening programs. They will be responsible for arranging breast screening for those at high risk and keeping spreadsheets/records updated.
the post holder will support 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
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Contact healthcare professionals, laboratories, and patients to gather referral details, family history, and genetic test reports.
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Provide pre-clinic information, verify consent requirements, and explain the need for relatives' reports where appropriate.
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Check variant pathogenicity using databases and liaise with laboratories for reviews.
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Track and manage tissue or genetic test requests, keeping clinicians and patients updated on progress or delays.
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Maintain spreadsheets, databases, and screening programme records; complete referral forms under supervision.
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Liaise with screening services, support audits, and respond to information requests from other centres.
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Communicate compassionately with patients and relatives, recognising distress, health literacy needs, or learning difficulties.
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Assist with obtaining blood or saliva samples, support clinicians with documentation, and escalate ethical concerns when needed.
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Collaborate with genetic counsellors, family history coordinators, clinical, and admin teams to ensure seamless patient care.
About us
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond.
Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people.
We run major acute services at:
- Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country. The hospital provides a full range of services including the country's top-rated hyper-acute stroke unit and one of only three hyper-acute rehabilitation units in the UK
- St Mark's Hospital: an internationally renowned specialist centre for bowel disease
- Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital providing a range of clinical services, as well as 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and specialist care at Meadow House Hospice
- Central Middlesex Hospital: our planned care site, hosting a range of surgical and outpatient services and collocated with an urgent care centre.
We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.
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
- Excellent attention to detail
- Excellent telephone manner
- Excellent time management and organisational skills
- Good awareness of own limitations and when to escalate issues
- Ability to generate own routine correspondence
- The ability to focus and concentrate on a task and work under pressure
Desirable
- Prior experience of applying NHS and NIHR policies on consent, confidentiality, data protection and Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
HEART values
Essential
- Demonstrate commitment to Trust HEART values - Honesty, Equity, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork
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
- Excellent attention to detail
- Excellent telephone manner
- Excellent time management and organisational skills
- Good awareness of own limitations and when to escalate issues
- Ability to generate own routine correspondence
- The ability to focus and concentrate on a task and work under pressure
Desirable
- Prior experience of applying NHS and NIHR policies on consent, confidentiality, data protection and Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
HEART values
Essential
- Demonstrate commitment to Trust HEART values - Honesty, Equity, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork
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
Northwest Thames Regional Genetics Service, Northwick Park Hospital
Watford Road
Harrow
HA1 3UJ
Employer's website
https://www.lnwh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
