Technical Lead (MTO3)

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. The post holder will develop new tests to the point of service entry to include complete validation and verification according to ISO15189 standards.
2. The new testing methods may include DNA extraction from a variety of sources, PCR based assays for molecular genetics disease, MLPA, Next Generation Sequencing assays and other technologies as applicable.
3. The post holder will if required by the Genetics management team be required to support the day to day running of the laboratory; including being involved in managing DNA extraction from a variety of sources, DNA processing for receipt and export, PCR based assays for molecular genetics disease, MLPA, Next Generation Sequencing assays and Pre-Implantation Diagnosis assays.
4. The post holder will be responsible for the training of staff on specified equipment held by the laboratory, and will participate in evaluation, validation, and implementation of new tests and equipment.

Professional/clinical activities

1. To develop new tests as indicated by the R&D Lead and other Genetics Operations Leads as well as improve the efficiency of existing tests.
2. Keeping accurate and legible records of all tests and experiments
3. To perform a range of indicated molecular biology tests for purposes of screening for gene variants and testing for specific variants, as required. This includes all stages of the process from the preparation of DNA samples, performing the test, analysing and interpreting the results, entering the data on the database and report writing.
4. Interpretation of results and report writing for unusual or complicated cases to be done in association with a senior member of staff.
5. The post holder should aim to complete all work within the target reporting times. Whenever a target reporting time cannot be achieved the case should be discussed with a senior member of staff. Some of this work is performed via a weekly rota, and may include the possibility of some weekend and Bank holiday cover, if required.
6. Extraction of DNA from prenatal samples such as chorionic villus and amniotic fluid as required.
7. Back-up for extraction of DNA from blood and other human tissue samples and associated administration duties including rotas, as required.
8. Back-up for collection of blood samples from specimen reception and associated administration duties including rotas, as required.
9. Preparation of solutions and reagents and maintaining detailed records of such, as required.
10. Organisation and completion of work in an orderly manner before taking annual leave. Annual leave is not to be taken at the same time as the back-up person for the duties(s) covered.
11. Adherence to ACGS and other relevant best practice guidelines.
12. Strict adherence to the guidelines in the Standard Operating Procedures for avoiding sample mix-up. This includes the use of checklists at all appropriate stages of a procedure and performing appropriate sample checks and signing checklists for colleagues when required
13. Preparing and maintaining up to date versions of the Standard Operating Procedures for the duties assigned.
14. Strict adherence to the laboratory and departmental safety regulations and quality manual.
15. Participation in external and internal quality control programmes.

Education and Development

1. To participate in Continuing Professional Development activities in order to maintain up to date knowledge and skills, and maintain membership of the AHCS Genetic Technologists Register.
2. To participate in an annual appraisal with a senior member of the Laboratory and be assessed against competences of the role.
3. Perform other duties as appropriate to the grade as requested by the Operations Lead.

Administrative

1. Assist in ensuring laboratory record keeping is accurate and in compliance with good work practices as required for ISO15189 standards.
2. Undertake work file management to ensure all results are reported with agreed turnaround time
3. Effective communication with laboratory and medical staff to ensure that specimens are dealt with appropriately and in a timely fashion
4. Enter patient results onto laboratory computer system as and when required
5. Handle telephone enquiries from service users and where required communicate test results as per departmental protocol
6. Liaise with GP surgeries, hospital clinics and other departments within Pathology
7. To use information systems, specialist and general software, in data entry and the collection and interpretation of information to assist in the provision of laboratory services

General

1. Compliance with local and national policies for the safe secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information
2. Maintain integrity and accuracy of laboratory database where appropriate
3. Be proactive in escalating any possible issues that may impact on service delivery to senior colleagues
4. Follows policies within own work area and proposes changes to such policies
5. Responsible for the planning and organisation of own workload
6. Assist in the training and supervision of more junior staff members by demonstrating own duties
7. Assist senior staff in maintaining high scientific and quality standards
8. Ensure standards as required by the ISO15189 are maintained and where possible improved upon.
9. Participate in audits and surveys as and when required
10. Ensure workplace and workbench areas are kept at laboratory standard
11. Build and maintain working relations with all members of staff, and promote effective teamwork
12. Undertake mandatory training as required by Synnovis
13. To maintain and promote the professional image of Synnovis
14. Undertake an internal training programme including attendance at relevant seminars
15. Work within remits of confidentiality when dealing with issues of a sensitive nature
16. Undertake a period of laboratory training and competence assessment

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.

Guys and St Thomas Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Womens Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Childrens Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guys site.

You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc (Hons) in relevant scientific discipline or equivalent

Desirable

• AHCS registration as a practitioner or working towards entrance on to the register
• MSc in relevant scientific discipline or equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Experience of handling of clinical samples
• Extensive practical experience in a range of molecular laboratory techniques including Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), Sanger sequencing, MLPA
• Practical experience of DNA extraction
• Supervisory and/ or managerial experience
• Previous experience in a diagnostic lab

Desirable

• Experience in automation/robotics
• Previous test development experience
• Previous experience in a Genetics lab

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Good co-ordination skills with good dexterity and hand eye co-ordination and those skills required for the performance of analytical techniques
• Numerate and literate with good command of spoken and written English
• Ability to work systematically and under pressure in a busy environment
• Ability to work unsupervised when required
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Awareness of health & safety issues
• Ability to plan and prioritise allocated work
• Computer Literacy

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Synnovis Analytics

Address

Guy's Hospital

Great Maze Pond

London

SE1 9RT

Employer's website

http://www.synnovis.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)