Healthcare Science Practitioner - Genetics (XR05)
We are looking to recruit permanent Band 5 Health Science Practitioners (Genetic Technologist) to work at North East and Yorkshire Genomic Laboratory Hub (NEYGLH) Central Laboratory based at St James's University Hospital in Leeds:
Applicants should have experience of a broad range of diagnostic techniques, including cell culture, FISH, DNA extraction, PCR, pyrosequencing and NGS. Ideally, applicants will have previous experience in a diagnostic laboratory and have completed or be working towards registration with the AHCS or HCPC.
Planned Interview date: 23/10/2024
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will need to work in a fast-paced environment, completing work at short notice and delivering the tight deadlines. This role requires excellent communication skills, good manual dexterity, and a high level of attention to detail. By working to strict deadlines within established systems and procedures, the successful applicant will demonstrate excellent organisational skills, technical skill, and flexibility. The post holder should have the ability to use their initiative and be able to work independently and as part of a team. This is a split technical and analytical role; training will be given, but prior experience or knowledge of genomics analytical techniques will be demonstrable during the interview process.
The post holder will be required to work 37.5 hours per week full-time and contribute to out-of-hours rotas including weekends and bank holidays as required.
About us
In response to NHS England's recent Strategy and Service Specification for the future of Genomics services in England, Newcastle Teaching Hospitals, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield Children's Trust, and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals have formed the North East and Yorkshire Genomics Laboratory Hub; an exciting collaboration to provide services for Genomics across Yorkshire and Humber and the North. The combined size of our geography makes this the largest collaboration in the country with the Trusts offering a range of both general and specialist hospital services with excellent clinical outcomes for patients. We have an international reputation for excellence in specialist care, research, and academic training.
For further enquiries or a confidential discussion please contact Helen Thomas at Helen.thomas40@nhs.net.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay, or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE
Deliver a high-quality diagnostic genetic laboratory service through undertaking clinical technical investigations.
Lead a nominated technical area by providing specialist skills and knowledge with regard to diagnostic processes, equipment operation, and audit.
Support the training and supervision of staff, including Healthcare Science Practitioners and Biomedical Support Workers.
JOB DIMENSIONS
The Leeds Genetics Laboratory at St James's University Hospital provides a diagnostic laboratory service to the population of Yorkshire and Humber. Specialist diagnostic genetic services are provided at a national and international level. The service is provided by over 70 staff, consisting of Healthcare Scientists, Healthcare Science Practitioners, and administrative staff. The laboratory processes over 25,000 genetics samples per year and generates around 20,000 reports, many of which are highly complex.
The post holder will undertake a variety of clinical technical investigations working with Healthcare Scientists to ensure quality and appropriateness of tests. The post holder may be asked to participate in the development of new diagnostic investigations. Acting as lead in a nominated technical area, the post holder will train technical colleagues with regard to diagnostic processes. The post holder will undertake the quality assurance tasks as required to maintain the laboratory's accreditation status.
Genetic Technologists may be required to participate in the DNA technical duty rota. They will also undertake receipt of deliveries arriving into the laboratory, including entering audit details into the laboratory's computerised chemical inventory system. Genetic Technologists will also participate in the quarterly Regional Supplies Centre ordering rota where they will provide some of the basic consumables of the laboratory via access to a budget of around £5000 pa. The post holder may be required to help support the training of other technical staff with regard to both of the above rotational areas.
There will be close day-to-day working relationships with the Translational Genomics Unit, including shared use of space, equipment, and other facilities.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required
ESSENTIAL
* Degree in a Science subject, or equivalent level of knowledge.
* Previous experience in a laboratory environment (including training period).
* Knowledge of routine and more complex analytical laboratory methods, quality assurance, and problem-solving.
* Have attained the basic competencies in a range of techniques used in a molecular genetics laboratory.
* Analytical (technical) skills and ability to analyse situations.
* Good hand-eye coordination for fine manipulation of instrumentation.
* Ability to use standard software packages including inventory, purchasing, and laboratory computer analysis systems.
* Take personal responsibility for own decisions.
* Ability to maintain concentration despite occasional interruptions.
* Good oral and written communication skills.
* Ability to maintain effective networks with scientific and technical colleagues within the department.
DESIRABLE
* Completion of Modernising Scientific Careers Practitioner training programme in genetics.
* Registered with the Academy of Healthcare Science (healthcare science practitioner) or HCPC (biomedical scientist).
* Previous experience of work in an NHS diagnostic genetics laboratory technical post.
* Knowledge of clinical molecular genetics and diagnostic molecular genetic testing including routine and more specialised analytical methods.
The Leeds Way Values
Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:
* Accountable
* Empowered
All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values.
Core Behaviours and Skills
* Patient orientation: Relates activities back to patient care and maintains patient confidentiality.
* Quality focus: Maintenance of highest standards, particularly in laboratory tests, with reference to Internal Audit and Laboratory Accreditation. Respond to mistakes in a way that leads to learning and service improvement.
* Attention to detail: Observance of high laboratory standards; operating according to up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures.
* Open to change: Readiness to respond in a timely fashion to technological and procedural change in this rapidly changing field.
* Demonstration of honesty, integrity, self-confidence, and self-control.
Core Knowledge and Understanding
* Knowledge of routine and specialised analytical laboratory methods, quality assurance, and problem-solving.
* Knowledge of specified range of diagnostic genetic testing and an understanding of clinical genetics.
* Knowledge of equipment used for automated genetic analysis.
* Knowledge of IT resources in relation to genetic diagnosis and the use of standard software packages.
* Understanding of health and safety procedures.
Principal Duties & Areas of Responsibility
Clinical, Diagnostic and Laboratory
* Assist Clinical Scientists with the organisation and planning of patient testing in a nominated clinical technical area including dealing with unpredictable events such as analysis for pre-natal diagnosis.
* Handling telephone enquiries from consultants, doctors, and nurses involving patient queries and requests for test results. The post holder would be expected to judge when to pass an enquiry on to the relevant Clinical Scientist.
* Performing routine molecular and cytogenetic analyses. This will include the use of the following routine analytical laboratory techniques: polymerase chain reaction, fluorescent sequencing, fluorescent mutation detection methods, and restriction digests. All require dexterity as they involve repetitive micropipetting of small accurately measured volumes, gel manipulation, or use of automated analysers.
* Perform routine processing of samples in a class II microbiological safety cabinet and working to containment level 2+.
* Maintain a high level of accuracy and reliability in defined routine, preparative, and associated procedures.
* The post holder is responsible for maintaining paper and computer records of diagnostic data including the entry of data into the Patient Management system e.g. test requirements, worksheets, test results.
* Acting as lead Genetic Technologist in a nominated clinical technical area, the post holder is expected to be able to troubleshoot specialised analytical laboratory techniques, in addition to the more routine analytical laboratory techniques. The post holder would be expected to provide training to other staff, participate in the evaluation of new/replacement equipment/reagents, and may participate in the development of diagnostic techniques for a nominated clinical technical area.
* Ability to use laboratory computer analysis systems involved in genetic diagnosis to process laboratory data, compare results, and interpret data in addition to the use of more standard software packages.
* Participate in the routine internal audit requirements of the laboratory including checking tube alignments for members of staff prior to tube transfers e.g. during polymerase chain reaction tests.
* Preparation and running of agarose/acrylamide gels. This involves regularly working with carcinogens (e.g. ethidium bromide).
* Assist with the preparation of diagnostic and research patient samples for dispatch to other laboratories, including retrieval from storage, safe packaging, and maintenance of associated paper and computer records.
Managerial
* The post holder would be expected to supervise staff in a nominated clinical technical area as appropriate.
* Acting as lead in their nominated technical area, the post holder will undertake the annual quality assurance tasks for equipment, including the maintenance of computer and paper records required for maintaining the laboratory's Clinical Pathology Accreditation status.
* Suggest changes to Standard Operating Procedures, generally within the laboratory and more specifically to a particular nominated clinical technical area.
Teaching and Training
* Newly appointed Genetic Technologists would be expected to be actively working towards the successful attainment of the laboratory's core competencies and gaining the skills, knowledge, and other attributes required to become a lead for a nominated clinical technical area. Opportunity to attend weekly literature and laboratory reviews.
* Opportunity to attend relevant scientific conferences and workshops.
Health and Safety/Risk Management
All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.
Infection Control
The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* First Degree in a Biological subject with a genetics component or equivalent level of knowledge
* Registered in the specialty of genetics with the Academy of Healthcare Science (AHCS) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Other Criteria
* Ability to maintain concentration despite occasional interruptions
* Good oral, written, and electronic communication skills
* Good hand-eye coordination for fine manipulation of instrumentation
* Ability to use standard software packages including inventory, purchasing, and laboratory computer analysis systems involved in genetic diagnosis
Experience
* Previous experience in a laboratory environment (including training period)
* Have attained the basic competencies in a range of techniques used in a genetics laboratory
* Experience in a previous diagnostic genetics laboratory technical post
* Completion of Modernising Scientific Careers Practitioner training programme in genetics
Skills & Behaviours
* Knowledge of routine and more complex analytical laboratory methods, quality assurance, and problem-solving.
* Knowledge of a range of laboratory genetic testing including the routine analytical methods employed.
* Demonstration of honesty, integrity, equal opportunity awareness, self-confidence, and self-control in creating an environment that ensures all staff are able to operate in an open and honest way.
* Readiness to respond in a timely fashion to research and technological change in this rapidly changing field.
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