Job overview
The Gynaecology Unit at the Royal Marsden is looking for a Biological Specimen Coordinator to join our dynamic team for 1 year (fixed term renewable yearly contract) full time.
We have a large portfolio of translational research projects and are looking for someone who is motivated with an enthusiastic approach to work. You will need to regularly interact with clinicians, nurses and scientists on the research team and outside the hospital, so excellent communication skills and a pro-active approach is vital. You will be working alongside our current biological specimens team to ensure that cancer tissue samples and blood samples are collected, processed, and managed correctly to aid cancer research. You will therefore need to be highly organised and meticulous in your approach to your duties with an understanding of the Human Tissue Act.
During your time in this post, you will be able to develop a valuable set of transferable skills and gain experience working on both commercial and academic clinical studies.
Main duties of the job
·To work as part of Gynae specimens team within Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and our Academic partner Institute of Cancer Research at both Chelsea and Sutton sites.
·To be responsible for collection, processing, storage and shipment of blood and tissue samples for commercial and academic clinical trial studies that run through the unit.
·To accurately record and track each patient sample through the Gynae research unit’s clinical trial portfolio in accordance to local SOP’s.
·To participate in regular tissue audits.
·Coordinate the shipment and receipt of samples in-house at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation trust.
·To assist with biosample related data queries via liaising with trial sponsors.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
·To be responsible for the collection of clinical samples (tissue and blood) from multiple units and sites across Royal Marsden and Institute of Cancer Research.
·Be responsible for the day to day management of samples from multi-centre studies hosted by the Gynae clinical research unit.
·To communicate effectively with other members of the team and research teams.
·To work independently using own initiative, planning and prioritising own workload
·Liaise with clinicians, surgeons, research nurses, pathologists and laboratory staff to identify and co-ordinate sample collection.
The successful applicant should have a flexible approach to their duties and the ability to work both as part of the team as well as independently in the laboratory setting. Laboratory competencies are required and experience in clinical research is useful. In addition, you will have excellent communication, administrative and IT skills and be supportive and open to new initiatives.
For more information or to come and see our unit please contact:
Nikita Patel, Lead Translational Research Manager, Gynaecology Unit, 0207 352 8171 ext 4599.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Desirable criteria
1. Educated to degree level or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
2. Experience of working with human samples
3. Understanding relevant legislation such as HTA and GCP
Desirable criteria
4. Experience of data entry, report production and database management
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Essential criteria
5. Good technical skills
6. Specimen document control skills
7. Ability to work with minimal supervision
8. Possess good organisational and interpersonal skills
Desirable criteria
9. Data management, analytical and interpretation skills
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
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.