Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Lead Biological Specimen Coordinator within the Breast Research Team at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. The post holder will have oversight at both our Sutton and Chelsea locations.
We are looking for enthusiastic and self-motivated team members to lead on our new and existing tissue studies contributing to the ground-breaking research run out of this unit.
Main duties of the job
As the Lead Biospecimen Coordinator, the post holder is responsible for:
1. Leading the tissue collecting team working within Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and our Academic partner Institute of Cancer Research at both Chelsea and Sutton sites.
2. Ensuring the seamless delivery of biobanking, with oversight and management of members of staff within the department across both sites.
3. Ensuring the collection of human samples is undertaken in accordance with the Human Tissue Act (HTA), and proactively support staff to progress their responsibility within the Biobank.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
4. The post holder will be responsible for leading and assisting on projects within the laboratory setting, working bench side on a weekly basis, with careful and consistent logging of all analysis steps.
5. The post holder will be responsible for the collection and processing of clinical samples (tissue and blood) from multiple units and sites across Royal Marsden and Institute of Cancer Research.
6. The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day management of samples from studies hosted by the Breast Unit and for the ongoing quality control procedures.
7. The post holder will be responsible for the data and quality management and accurate data entry onto the tracking system of all data under the biobank, in accordance to GCP, IG and QA guidelines.
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
8. Educated to degree level or equivalent, with ongoing development
9. Understanding of HTA, ethics and consent requirements for biobanks
Desirable criteria
10. MSc or higher specialist diploma
Experience
Essential criteria
11. Able to write/review SOPs and documents
12. Able to perform advanced training
13. Able to work to deadlines
14. Ability to perform and analyse simple audits
15. Ability to take specific responsibilities in an area of defined specialist knowledge
16. Able to deal with trouble shooting in specialist area
Desirable criteria
17. Ability to manage laboratory staff daily and oversight of all laboratory practices
18. Proven ability to organise team’s work plans, schedules & deadlines
Skills
Essential criteria
19. Evidence of effective interpersonal skills
20. Ability to express themselves clearly to communicate information.
21. Ability to write clearly and concisely
22. Ability to use in-house IT systems
23. Ability to use Microsoft software or equivalent
24. Specimen document control skills
25. Data management skills
26. Good judgement, analytical, perceptive with eye for detail
Other requirements
Essential criteria
27. Evidence of continuing personal and professional development
28. Enthusiasm for job and profession
29. Self-confident, contributes to meetings
30. Able to work unsupervised and to supervise others
31. Commitment to team working
32. Leads by example
33. Flexible approach to work, can deal with unexpected situations
34. Decision maker
35. Demonstrates proactive approach to problem solving
36. Ability to manage section stock
37. Understanding of relationship between laboratory investigations and clinical practice
38. Punctual
39. Remain calm under pressure
Desirable criteria
40. Ability to perform and analyse simple audits
41. General understanding of all aspects of quality management
42. Motivates staff / team
The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.
Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.
Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff
At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.
The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.