Job summary
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF LEICESTER NHS TRUST
LEICESTERSHIRE CYTOGENETICS SERVICE
Genetic Technologist (Cytogenetics): Band 5 (£28,407 - £34,581)
Two replacement posts for permanent full time Genetic Technologists have arisen within the technical team of the Clinical Cytogenetics Laboratory in Leicester.
Main duties of the job
The lab is a busy ISO 15189 accredited Local Genomic Laboratory, part of the East Genomic Laboratory Hub led by the Cambridge laboratory. Based in the Leicestershire Genetics Centre at the Leicester Royal Infirmary it is co-located with the Clinical Genetics Service with whom there are close links.
The lab provides a constitutional and acquired diagnostic service, including molecular pathology testing, and is a key part of the Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Links (HMDL) Service for Leicestershire, Northampton and Rutland. As part of the pathology department at UHL, where there is a strong focus on pathology integration, the team work closely with haematology and cellular pathology services as well as with the Leicester Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at the University of Leicester.
The post holder will undertake technical sample processing duties across the laboratory sections including tissue culture, DNA extraction, PCR & NGS testing and microarray processing. They will also be involved in health and safety and quality management requirements within the lab and in ensuring appropriate stock control. Genetic technologists also contribute to the analytical workload of the department which may involve PCR, FISH and chromosome and microarray analysis along with interpretation and report writing.
Applicants must have a good honours degree in genetics or a biological science and previous laboratory experience is essential with experience in a healthcare or genetics laboratory desirable; however full, competency based, training will be provided. Experience in a range of molecular diagnostics methods would be advantageous. The successful applicants will be expected to work towards registration with the Academy for Healthcare Science as a genetic technologist.
About us
As one of the very largest NHS Trusts in the country, our contribution to our communities goes way beyond direct health; we are the largest employer in our region, we educate and train the staff of the future, we push research boundaries and with our £1bn turnover we are an economic engine for the wider East Midlands and beyond.
This is particularly exciting time for Leicester's Hospitals. We have been given £450m by the Government to provide a host of new facilities and reconfigure services between our three main sites. Flagship projects include a new Children's Hospital, a new Maternity Hospital, a new Treatment Centre and two new Intensive Care Units. Equally importantly, we are going"paperless", with a £12m investment in our NerveCentre computer system to help our team deliver world class care.
We want to continue to improve everything that we do, so that we can achieve our Vision: Caring at its best for every patient, every time. Our Quality Strategy,"Becoming the Best",describes how we are doing that in a determined, targeted and systematic way, with our staff the champions of change and our patients not just beneficiaries but partners
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To correctly employ such methods and procedures and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) as necessary to provide technical support for the laboratory under the direction of the Section Heads or other designated staff.
- To receive, process and analyse specimens submitted to the department for cytogenetic analysis as directed. This will involve contact with identifiable fetal parts from intra-uterine deaths and termination of pregnancies. This also involves the use of an inverted phase contrast and dissection microscope.
- To perform high quality accurate cytogenetic analyses including constitutional chromosome analysis and metaphase/interphase FISH and to present the results to appropriate scientists for checking, interpretation and reporting. Cytogenetic analysis involves working with a high level of concentration using visual skills to ensure accurate analysis. This also involves the use of bright field, phase contrast and fluorescent microscopes and an image analysis system.
- Extract DNA from a range of patient sample types and evaluate quality and quantity required
- Perform preparation and processing for a microarray analysis using appropriate platforms
- Perform molecular based assays as required using both manual and automated technology ensuring high quality accurate outcomes
- To accurately prepare and maintain reagents including an awareness of stock control levels and participate in the general care of the department and its equipment.
- To keep and maintain all necessary manual and computerised records of sections and department to a high level of accuracy.
- To ensure that preparative and analytical work is consistently performed at the highest possible level of accuracy, reliability, and quality. Where procedures are sub-optimal troubleshooting the problem liaising with appropriate clinical scientists and technical staff.
- To work in any section of the laboratory as directed organising own workload and undertaking an appropriate proportion of the total workload of the laboratory with responsibility for own work
- To understand and use good sterile technique at all times and especially when using the sterile safety cabinets.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To correctly employ such methods and procedures and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) as necessary to provide technical support for the laboratory under the direction of the Section Heads or other designated staff.
- To receive, process and analyse specimens submitted to the department for cytogenetic analysis as directed. This will involve contact with identifiable fetal parts from intra-uterine deaths and termination of pregnancies. This also involves the use of an inverted phase contrast and dissection microscope.
- To perform high quality accurate cytogenetic analyses including constitutional chromosome analysis and metaphase/interphase FISH and to present the results to appropriate scientists for checking, interpretation and reporting. Cytogenetic analysis involves working with a high level of concentration using visual skills to ensure accurate analysis. This also involves the use of bright field, phase contrast and fluorescent microscopes and an image analysis system.
- Extract DNA from a range of patient sample types and evaluate quality and quantity required
- Perform preparation and processing for a microarray analysis using appropriate platforms
- Perform molecular based assays as required using both manual and automated technology ensuring high quality accurate outcomes
- To accurately prepare and maintain reagents including an awareness of stock control levels and participate in the general care of the department and its equipment.
- To keep and maintain all necessary manual and computerised records of sections and department to a high level of accuracy.
- To ensure that preparative and analytical work is consistently performed at the highest possible level of accuracy, reliability, and quality. Where procedures are sub-optimal troubleshooting the problem liaising with appropriate clinical scientists and technical staff.
- To work in any section of the laboratory as directed organising own workload and undertaking an appropriate proportion of the total workload of the laboratory with responsibility for own work
- To understand and use good sterile technique at all times and especially when using the sterile safety cabinets.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- BSc(Hons) in a biological science or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Practical experience in a healthcare laboratory environment
- Use of laboratory computer systems
- Good understanding of health and safety and information governance
Desirable
- Experience of working in a genetics laboratory
- Experience of molecular techniques in a healthcare laboratory
Communication
Essential
- Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills
- Good verbal and written communication skills and able to communicate effectively with all staff and users of the service
Analytical and Judgement skill
Essential
- Able to concentrate for prolonged periods and show attention to detail
Planning and organisation
Essential
- Ability to organise own work and meet dealines whilst ensuring a high standard of work
Physical skills
Essential
- Excellent manual dexterity and concentration skills
Equality & Diversity
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- BSc(Hons) in a biological science or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Practical experience in a healthcare laboratory environment
- Use of laboratory computer systems
- Good understanding of health and safety and information governance
Desirable
- Experience of working in a genetics laboratory
- Experience of molecular techniques in a healthcare laboratory
Communication
Essential
- Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills
- Good verbal and written communication skills and able to communicate effectively with all staff and users of the service
Analytical and Judgement skill
Essential
- Able to concentrate for prolonged periods and show attention to detail
Planning and organisation
Essential
- Ability to organise own work and meet dealines whilst ensuring a high standard of work
Physical skills
Essential
- Excellent manual dexterity and concentration skills
Equality & Diversity
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs
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).
