Job summary
To undertake both technical and administrative duties required to maintain an effective and high quality Molecular Diagnostic Service to patients, in accordance with National and professional standards.
To assist in providing technical support in order to introduce new developments in disease diagnosis, under supervision from scientific staff.
Associated general clerical and administrative duties.
The specific duties carried out will depend on the allocated area of work.
Staff are expected to be flexible and to work in any area of the department as required subject to training and service need.
The sample reception and extraction lab is at the heart of all LMH service delivery. Staff working in this area are expected to work within the core working hours or where locally agreed with the section lead, a working pattern that fits with the delivery of this vital lab section.
Main duties of the job
SATOs are responsible for specialised molecular techniques such as, red cell lysis, cell fractionation, DNA/RNA extraction, cell counting, cDNA synthesis, PCR and the validation of new techniques. Good communication, team working and supervisory skills are essential.
LMH is an integral part of the SE-HMDS multidisciplinary team of specialist pathologists. We are the single HMDS service for the South East of England, and part of the SE Genomic Laboratory Hub; one of the largest providers of genomic testing in the UK. Diagnostic labs embedded in the SE-HMDS are owned and managed by Viapath LLP.
Instrumentation in the reception lab include centrifuges, QIAsymphony, cell counter and thermocyclers. Techniques employed within the lab are the principles of nucleic acid extraction, PCR and nucleic acid quantitation.
The lab is dedicated to providing an excellent service with emphasis on quality, speed, assay development and integration of new technologies and discoveries to ensure that we are aligned to the NHSE Genomics Test Directory.
LMH has been an accredited laboratory since 2003 and was accredited by UKAS (Lab No. 9597) against the ISO 15189:2012 standards in May 2018.
There has been a steady rise in referrals (now over 17,000 samples per year) to the Viapath laboratories at King's, from clinicians who require increasingly sophisticated and accurate haematological diagnoses, for diagnosis and disease monitoring.
About us
The Laboratory for Molecular Haemato-Oncology (LMH) is located at King's College Hospital and is involved in the identification and quantification of molecular abnormalities/markers for diagnostic, prognostic and monitoring purposes in haematological malignancies. The department provides a wide repertoire of molecular diagnostic investigation for haematological malignancies. LMH is part of a comprehensive haematological malignancy diagnostic service (SE-HMDS) which provides services to the South East GLH. The LMH lab comprises around 17 members of staff. They consist of Clinical Scientists, Genetic Technologists and Senior Assistant Technical Officers. The LMH laboratory is a UKAS accredited laboratory.
Your development and learning
You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.
Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.
Job description
Job responsibilities
At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London.
For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.
Organisational
- Understand the management structure of the department and own role within the structure.
- Attendance at local and corporate induction sessions and mandatory recall training.
- Aware of Organisation policies and Departmental policies including sickness absence reporting, requesting annual leave and health and safety.
Communication
- Participate in departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department including communication of written/or verbal messages to appropriate person in an effective and timely manner.
- Communicate any event, which may cause service delivery failure, or other issues/problems that may affect the department to the Section Lead and/or Laboratory Manager.
- Prioritise and plan own workload within a given time period and communicate own work priorities within the team. Demonstrate flexibility in carrying out own work priorities within the team context
- Provide and receive information to and from work colleagues or users of the service, including direction of enquiries to the appropriate member of staff
- Maintain good working relations with all members of staff, and promote effective teamwork recognising others skills and priorities.
- Communicate with support services and suppliers for orders as necessary
Technical
- Participate in the provision of a comprehensive and appropriate diagnostic service to users through registration of sample to LIMS, and preparation of samples for analysis including extraction, quantification, and storage under the supervision of qualified laboratory staff, including HCPC registered Clinical Scientists/Biomedical Scientists
- Performing a range of laboratory procedures that require prolonged concentration and attention to details in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Health and Safety Regulations.
- Prioritise urgent samples for processing in accordance with agreed turnaround-times
- Perform Quality Control procedures relevant to the work area, applying necessary judgement to the initial analysis of results and referring any inconsistencies to the appropriate State Registered Scientist
- Under the guidance of qualified laboratory staff, use computer based patient records and data files to check the accuracy and relevance of patient details provided.
- Prepare all reagents in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- To participate in work rotation as required, in order to cover all disorders analysed and all techniques employed in the section.
- Perform role as part of the team recognising others skills and priorities.
- Complete other appropriate duties as directed by the line manager in the work area.
Scientific
- Undertake training and development to successfully acquire core competencies necessary for performance as a Senior Assistant Technical Officer (SATO) and thereafter maintain the required standards of competence.
- Develop and improve scientific expertise via Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and remain up to date with scientific and technical developments in the field.
- To carry out technical developments in conjunction with scientific staff, to introduce new techniques into the diagnostic service, so that new tests can be made available.
- Develop and maintain an understanding of the scientific basis of laboratory work applicable to the area of work.
- Undertake laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the Lead Scientist or deputy.
Clinical
- Understand the necessity for the accurate communication of complex information.
- To analyse/interpret on a first line basis the results of tests for which he/she is responsible, recording results on worksheets and on the laboratory database.
- Liaise with users of the service as necessary, including direction of enquiries to the appropriate member of staff
- Perform role as part of the team to ensure that the LMH Service turnaround times are met.
- Help with audits as necessary to highlight deficiencies in pre-examination, examination and post-examination process.
Laboratory Informatics
- Comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other confidential laboratory information
- Be familiar with and proficient in the use of patient databases in accordance with the relevant SOPs.
- Correctly enter patient demographics and test codes in to the departments Laboratory information system (LIMS)
- Enter test results for record keeping. Provide accurate data entry of results for future reference.
- Records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of UKAS accreditation to ISO 15189:2012.
- Maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.
Staff Management
- Cooperate with trainers when learning new tasks and contribute to the basic training of others
- Maintain good work relations with all members of staff, and promote effective teamwork recognising others skills and priorities
Resource Management
- Use departmental resources efficiently and place an order when stocks of reagents and consumables are approaching minimum stock levels.
- Daily monitoring and recording the temperature of refrigerators, freezers.
- Store goods in a safe and appropriate manner on receipt into the laboratory.
- Maintenance of stocks of consumable items in laboratory areas. Including precise data entry of stock items, detailing date expiry and numbers in stock, maintaining stocks at a suitable level. Stocks and reagent stocks may be kept at different temperatures and in different areas. Stocks may be harmful or hazardous so adequate care and protective equipment must be used as required.
Risk Management
- Work within the Rayne Institute/KCL Health and Safety Policy and Code of Practice and maintain Health and Safety Standards in the laboratory ensuring less experienced staff also conform to the regulations
- Maintain laboratory equipment in a safe clean working condition
- Maintain the laboratory and workbenches clean and tidy
- Maintain awareness of hazards inherent in the laboratories and use adequate precautions at all times
- Safely handle, use or dispose of blood, urine, other body tissue, hazardous and or radioactive chemicals
- Identify problems affecting own area of work and respond in an appropriate time and manner with problems referred to line manager where appropriate
- Report to the Health and Safety Officer deficiencies in the laboratory and/or any incident which involves injury or potential injury to hospital staff and visitors or which could affect patient welfare in any way
- Maintain awareness of the local fire rules in the case of fire or suspected fire and report potential problems to the local Fire Marshall
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
KCH
Kings College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UKs leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. Kings has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.
Over the last 170 years, Kings has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.
Job description
Job responsibilities
At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London.
For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.
Organisational
- Understand the management structure of the department and own role within the structure.
- Attendance at local and corporate induction sessions and mandatory recall training.
- Aware of Organisation policies and Departmental policies including sickness absence reporting, requesting annual leave and health and safety.
Communication
- Participate in departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department including communication of written/or verbal messages to appropriate person in an effective and timely manner.
- Communicate any event, which may cause service delivery failure, or other issues/problems that may affect the department to the Section Lead and/or Laboratory Manager.
- Prioritise and plan own workload within a given time period and communicate own work priorities within the team. Demonstrate flexibility in carrying out own work priorities within the team context
- Provide and receive information to and from work colleagues or users of the service, including direction of enquiries to the appropriate member of staff
- Maintain good working relations with all members of staff, and promote effective teamwork recognising others skills and priorities.
- Communicate with support services and suppliers for orders as necessary
Technical
- Participate in the provision of a comprehensive and appropriate diagnostic service to users through registration of sample to LIMS, and preparation of samples for analysis including extraction, quantification, and storage under the supervision of qualified laboratory staff, including HCPC registered Clinical Scientists/Biomedical Scientists
- Performing a range of laboratory procedures that require prolonged concentration and attention to details in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Health and Safety Regulations.
- Prioritise urgent samples for processing in accordance with agreed turnaround-times
- Perform Quality Control procedures relevant to the work area, applying necessary judgement to the initial analysis of results and referring any inconsistencies to the appropriate State Registered Scientist
- Under the guidance of qualified laboratory staff, use computer based patient records and data files to check the accuracy and relevance of patient details provided.
- Prepare all reagents in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- To participate in work rotation as required, in order to cover all disorders analysed and all techniques employed in the section.
- Perform role as part of the team recognising others skills and priorities.
- Complete other appropriate duties as directed by the line manager in the work area.
Scientific
- Undertake training and development to successfully acquire core competencies necessary for performance as a Senior Assistant Technical Officer (SATO) and thereafter maintain the required standards of competence.
- Develop and improve scientific expertise via Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and remain up to date with scientific and technical developments in the field.
- To carry out technical developments in conjunction with scientific staff, to introduce new techniques into the diagnostic service, so that new tests can be made available.
- Develop and maintain an understanding of the scientific basis of laboratory work applicable to the area of work.
- Undertake laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the Lead Scientist or deputy.
Clinical
- Understand the necessity for the accurate communication of complex information.
- To analyse/interpret on a first line basis the results of tests for which he/she is responsible, recording results on worksheets and on the laboratory database.
- Liaise with users of the service as necessary, including direction of enquiries to the appropriate member of staff
- Perform role as part of the team to ensure that the LMH Service turnaround times are met.
- Help with audits as necessary to highlight deficiencies in pre-examination, examination and post-examination process.
Laboratory Informatics
- Comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other confidential laboratory information
- Be familiar with and proficient in the use of patient databases in accordance with the relevant SOPs.
- Correctly enter patient demographics and test codes in to the departments Laboratory information system (LIMS)
- Enter test results for record keeping. Provide accurate data entry of results for future reference.
- Records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of UKAS accreditation to ISO 15189:2012.
- Maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.
Staff Management
- Cooperate with trainers when learning new tasks and contribute to the basic training of others
- Maintain good work relations with all members of staff, and promote effective teamwork recognising others skills and priorities
Resource Management
- Use departmental resources efficiently and place an order when stocks of reagents and consumables are approaching minimum stock levels.
- Daily monitoring and recording the temperature of refrigerators, freezers.
- Store goods in a safe and appropriate manner on receipt into the laboratory.
- Maintenance of stocks of consumable items in laboratory areas. Including precise data entry of stock items, detailing date expiry and numbers in stock, maintaining stocks at a suitable level. Stocks and reagent stocks may be kept at different temperatures and in different areas. Stocks may be harmful or hazardous so adequate care and protective equipment must be used as required.
Risk Management
- Work within the Rayne Institute/KCL Health and Safety Policy and Code of Practice and maintain Health and Safety Standards in the laboratory ensuring less experienced staff also conform to the regulations
- Maintain laboratory equipment in a safe clean working condition
- Maintain the laboratory and workbenches clean and tidy
- Maintain awareness of hazards inherent in the laboratories and use adequate precautions at all times
- Safely handle, use or dispose of blood, urine, other body tissue, hazardous and or radioactive chemicals
- Identify problems affecting own area of work and respond in an appropriate time and manner with problems referred to line manager where appropriate
- Report to the Health and Safety Officer deficiencies in the laboratory and/or any incident which involves injury or potential injury to hospital staff and visitors or which could affect patient welfare in any way
- Maintain awareness of the local fire rules in the case of fire or suspected fire and report potential problems to the local Fire Marshall
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
KCH
Kings College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UKs leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. Kings has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.
Over the last 170 years, Kings has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good all round education to a GCSE standard.
Desirable
- NVQ Level 3 in Clinical Laboratory Support or BTEC in Science
- BSc Hons Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Experience within a laboratory setting
- Experience of working within a team and independently.
- Previous computer experience of Microsoft Office and other software packages.
Desirable
- Experience of DNA/RNA extraction.
- Full time working in a diagnostic laboratory
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of Quality Control and Assurance
- Able to work on Saturday (time off in lieu) or paid overtime
Desirable
- Aware of the role of medical laboratories.
- Knowledge of laboratory processes and molecular techniques (e.g. DNA/RNA extraction, PCR and sequencing).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good all round education to a GCSE standard.
Desirable
- NVQ Level 3 in Clinical Laboratory Support or BTEC in Science
- BSc Hons Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Experience within a laboratory setting
- Experience of working within a team and independently.
- Previous computer experience of Microsoft Office and other software packages.
Desirable
- Experience of DNA/RNA extraction.
- Full time working in a diagnostic laboratory
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of Quality Control and Assurance
- Able to work on Saturday (time off in lieu) or paid overtime
Desirable
- Aware of the role of medical laboratories.
- Knowledge of laboratory processes and molecular techniques (e.g. DNA/RNA extraction, PCR and sequencing).
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.
