Liverpool Women’s NHS FT became part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG) in November 2024, following the coming together with Liverpool University Hospitals NHS FT. UHLG was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide to our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues who are dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond. For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, UHLG is also their local NHS, providing general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
At Liverpool Women’s Hospital, each year we deliver approximately 7,500 babies, carry out around 50,000 gynaecological inpatient and outpatient procedures, care for over 1,000 poorly and premature newborns, perform around 1,000 IVF cycles, and conduct over 4,000 genetic appointments.
We believe that this, along with a strong dedication to research and innovation, makes us the specialist health provider of choice in Europe for women, babies, and families.
Liverpool Women’s has an excellent reputation and is a centre of excellence. It is an exciting environment to work in and a great place to develop your career for many years to come.
Job overview
We are looking for a hardworking and motivated individual to take on this newly established role within the Clinical Genomics workforce. The post holder will be based at Liverpool Women's Hospital. This post is ideally suited to someone who has NHS and administration experience and who wishes to have patient contact. It would also be an excellent post for someone who was interested in becoming a genetic counsellor in the future.
Main duties of the job
The role is responsible for facilitating the collection of information, consent documentation, samples, and test results to enable genomic counselling and testing for pregnant patients with rare diseases and their family members. Working within the clinical genomics department, the role will involve communicating with patients and their families directly by phone, video call, and face to face to obtain family and medical histories to facilitate the diagnosis of genetic and genomic conditions. It will include obtaining appropriate samples for genetic testing and recording consent for these where appropriate.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Working with the clinical team of genetic counsellors and clinical geneticists to facilitate genetic counselling and diagnosis for pregnant patients through:
* Obtaining family histories by telephone, family history form, or in person.
* Assessing which medical and genetic records and test results are needed to enable risk assessment and diagnosis.
* Obtaining appropriate medical and genetic records, results, and investigations.
* Obtaining and checking appropriate permissions and consents.
* Organising and obtaining familial blood or saliva samples to help confirm diagnosis in proband.
* Monitoring outstanding records/samples/screening and taking appropriate action.
* Facilitating safeguarding including confirming parental responsibility for looked-after children.
* Responding to referrals that do not require clinical contact.
* Facilitating patient access through discussion of the purpose of genetic referral including in those with more complex needs, learning or social difficulties, and in whom English is not their first language.
* Providing patient support through signposting to existing patient resources and support groups and supporting the creation of patient leaflets.
* Auditing and improving systems to facilitate patient access including referrer education and website modification.
* MDT coordination.
* Phlebotomy (following training).
* Collecting and entering data onto the clinical databases as part of clinical care and for audit.
* Administrative duties including filing of patient records.
* Organising internal meetings and rotas and taking a lead in the coordination of education and patient support events including facilities, resources, and communications.
Person specification
Previous Experience
* Knowledge of family tree drawing software.
* Supervisory, leadership, or management skills.
Skills/Knowledge/Ability
* Ability to analyse information.
* Application of NHS policies on consent, confidentiality, and data protection.
* Proficient in the use of IT systems, including for data entry and of Microsoft Office packages.
* Ability to communicate in another language.
Personal Attributes
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including by phone.
* Good organisation and prioritisation skills.
* Ability to work within a team but also on own with minimal supervision.
* Caring and compassionate.
* Flexible approach to work.
* Ability to work under pressure.
Qualifications
* Two or more A levels in relevant subjects; or equivalent level 3 or 4 qualifications.
* BSc in a Biological Science, Psychology, Education, or equivalent qualification or experience, or Qualified nurse or Nursing Associate.
Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust has a responsibility and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and for ensuring that they are protected from harm. Every employee of the Trust has a responsibility and is duty-bound always to act in the best interest of a child or adult about whom we may have concerns.
Trust policy requires the cost of DBS applications to be recovered via salary. The amount of £21.50 (standard) or £41.50 (enhanced) can be deducted from salary, in manageable monthly instalments for up to 3 months following commencement in post.
The Trust is committed to creating a well-managed, flexible working environment that supports staff & promotes welfare & development. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity; we value the contribution of individual talent, skills, knowledge, and experience and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community. We operate Zero Tolerance to aggression, violence, bullying, and harassment. We will make reasonable adjustments to ensure our recruitment & selection process is accessible to all. Flexible Working applications will be considered.
If you are disabled and have special support needs in applying for a job, attending for an interview, or in undertaking any tests as part of a selection process, please contact the Trust’s recruitment team on 0151 7064666 and someone from that team will ensure that the recruiting manager is aware of your particular needs.
Please Note: new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.
Liverpool Women’s Hospital is committed to having a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. To this end, we particularly welcome applicants from racially minoritised backgrounds, who have a disability, or are members of the Armed Forces, Reservists, or Veterans.
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.
Application numbers
This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.
Name: Catherine Houghton
Job title: Lead Consultant Genetic Counsellor
Email address: catherine.houghton@lwh.nhs.uk
Telephone number: 0151 802 5008
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