The Christie NHS FT

MCRC Biobank Laboratory Practitioner

This job is now closed

Job summary

The main purpose of this role is to assist with the collection and processing of tissue and bodily fluids for research purposes within the MCRC Biobank Team. The post holder will provide support to the Biobanks Technicians to ensure that samples are collected, transported and processed in accordance with Biobank SOPs and that all relevant legislation and governance requirements are met. In addition, the appointee will assist in data collection, inputs into the Laboratory Information Management system as well as provide administrative support to the Biobank Team.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a keen and skilled individual who will act as a Biobank Laboratory Practitioner for the Manchester Cancer Research Centre Biobank. The successful applicant will work closely with Biobank, clinical and research staff at The Christie collecting and processing biological samples removed from consenting patients being treated for cancer and other conditions. You will be responsible for ensuring that tissue and other samples of human material are transported and processed for long term storage and active research projects in accordance with all relevant legislation and governance requirements. You will also gather important clinical data about the Biobank patients, adding value to the collected samples and support the Biobank with other administrative and laboratory tasks as required.

If you feel you have the qualities we need for this exciting opportunity to be involved with patient based cancer research across Manchester and meet the following essential criteria, then please apply:

o A qualification in a science related discipline (degree desirable)

o Experience of working with biological samples and patient data

o Excellent hand-eye coordination

o Comfortable working in an unpredictable environment

o Ability to work flexible hours

Please note: External applicants to the NHS are expected to commence on the minimum of the pay scale.

About us

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

Date posted

31 May 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£25,147 to £27,596 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

413-83482-RI-MS

Job locations

Tissue Bank - Q01248

Manchester

M20 4BX

Job description

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Sample collection, processing, and related duties

The post holders main duties will be to:

Understand the various sample collection requirements and specifics for projects facilitated through the MCRC Biobank, interacting with the relevant information as required for inform working practice.

Assist with arranging the collection of biological samples, liaising with, involving, and discussing with Biobank staff, clinical and research staff where necessary.

Develop and maintain good laboratory skills and following Biobank SOPs to ensure tissue, blood and other human biological samples are processed to maintain their quality for downstream research use.

Using your own judgement to determine about how samples should be processed and which SOPs to follow in line with a variety of factors e.g., sample format, timing of sample collections, patient specific criteria (e.g. blood results) and overall workload/competing priorities

Making decisions with respect to sample dilutions based on sample cell counts using your own calculations to ensure sample quality is maintained both during the processing and aliquoting steps of the process

Ensure a high level of hand-eye coordination and maintain concentration to ensure samples are processed accurately and efficiently

Ensure samples are appropriately labelled, barcoded and stored to comply with the legislation relating to the traceability of human tissue.

Facilitate the delivery of samples via courier, to ensure samples are collected and delivered to and from the correct location at an appropriate time for the recipient.

Answer telephone queries that come through to the Biobank office in relation to sample collection from service users, which may include patient queries.

Maintain the laboratory equipment, stock and waste and use own judgment to escalate any issues to more senior staff as required.

Complete all necessary paperwork relating to the collection and processing of patient samples ensuring accurate information is collated in relation to patient level data, clinical data and sample specific information.

Retrieval of MCRC Biobank samples for biobank stores and distributing these to researchers in line with relevant approvals and permissions

Requesting tissue blocks from referring hospitals and retrieving these from local pathology stores, this will involve using your own judgement to make decisions about which samples to request and retrieve in line with study requirements

Administration and Data Management

The post holders main duties will be to:

Perform clerical duties, including database entry and computerised data entry, and filing.

Support the collection of clinical and outcome data from consented patients, including pathology and genetic datasets and treatment response data - interrogating the clinical notes of patients to translate free-text information into structured data using your own judgement

Deal with all matters arising, referring them on to appropriate members of staff as required.

Display and maintain an appropriate level of IT skills, in order to input patient and request data, maintain and amend patient records and interrogate the laboratory and hospital databases.

Perform a range of administrative tasks as required. This includes archiving and retrieval of specimens and data, maintenance of archived material and collection of data for audits.

Ensure effective management of consent forms, leaflets, and sample collection kits.

Support with other ad-hoc administrative tasks, including sending out patient engagement literature, supporting study set-up activities for both MCRC Biobank and surgical research studies.

Training and Education

Attend mandatory training sessions required by the Trust and any other study relevant to their area.

Participate in the Trusts annual appraisal procedure, maintaining competence levels within the Department and assists in own personal and professional development

Provide support and assistance to newly appointed/less experienced staff as appropriate.

Ensure knowledge of relevant policies, procedures and legislation is kept up to date, including the Human Tissue Act (2004).

General Requirements

Work to ensure that sample collection, shipment and storage is administered in an efficient and professional manner.

Ensure effective communication/liaison with other research staff including Biobank Technicians and other clinical staff.

Attend departmental and Trust-wide staff meetings as appropriate and implement any resultant recommendations/findings in a timely manner.

Work to ensure that performance targets are met by continually assessing priority of work.

Maintain the highest standards of personal and professional conduct.

Report adverse incidents to immediate supervisor. Demonstrate an awareness of and compliance with health and safety regulations, the Data Protection Act, and Standard Operating Procedures.