Job Description

A great opportunity to join a forward thinking, growing pathology service that invests in its staff, innovation and development, and promotes itself as the Employer of Choice for Pathology. Opportunity for a career pathway from Apprentice MLA to Specialist Biomedical Scientist through the Level 4 Healthcare Science Degree Apprenticeship.



You will work alongside technical and scientific staff in our busy Genetics laboratory to learn the skills and knowledge required to become an MLA.

The Genetics laboratory is part of the South East Genomic Laboratory Hub (SEGLH) based at Guy's Hospital. You will perform a range of duties under the supervision of qualified staff to help in the service provision for our patients and customers, whilst developing important laboratory skills:

Receipt of patient samples DNA extraction from blood and other tissues Preparing samples for testing Preparing reagents and stock management Oversight of sample and DNA storage Maintenance of equipment

Synnovis is a partnership between SYNLAB UK & Ireland, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, and King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Our organisation brings together the very best in clinical, scientific and operational expertise, and displays in action the core values at the heart of our brand: science for life, collaboration for the benefit of everyone, and innovation and quality. Synnovis provides services to the NHS, clinical users and other service users. We are proud to work in collaboration with our excellent partners across our sites. Using innovation and quality to deliver pioneering pathology services is a way of life for us. We have an open and innovative mindset which drives the quality of both our services and the care provided by our clinical service users.



Your development and learning



You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.



Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.



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.



1. Technical



To safely handle, use and dispose of specimens, reagents, or hazardous chemicals under supervision

Use laboratory information system for accurate data entry of sensitive patient information according to protocols

To receive, sort and log patient samples on to the laboratory information system

To sort and prepare specimens for testing using automated, semi-automated and manual methods. This requires a high level of accuracy and attention to detail

Prepare laboratory reagents including chemical solutions according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Perform automated, semi-automated and manual processing of specimens within training parameters and where appropriate under the supervision of senior staff

Extraction of DNA from blood and other human tissue samples using automated equipment

Ensure quality control measures are carried out to monitor analytical performance, take corrective action where applicable and report any failures to a senior member of staff

To file samples following appropriate protocols and keep records as required

To develop an understanding of the scientific basis of Laboratory work

Assist in equipment management:

set up, preventative maintenance and basic troubleshooting of analysers under supervision of senior staff (Appropriate training will be given where duties involve lifting and manual handling)



To ensure that Standard Operating Procedures and other relevant documentation is followed, complying with H&S, Quality and Training competency policy and procedures



2. General



Assist with Laboratory record keeping ensuring compliance with good work practices required for UKAS ISO 15189

Ensure stock management of reagents and consumables via weekly stock checks and regular cycle counts

Effective communication with laboratory and scientific staff to ensure that specimens are dealt with appropriately and in a timely fashion

To answer and respond appropriately to telephone and other enquiries from health professionals

To liaise with other departments within Pathology

Compliance with local and national policies for the safe, secure, and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information

To maintain confidentiality at all times regarding patient information and results

Build and maintain working relations with all members of staff, and promote effective teamwork

To adhere to equality and fairness in working relations and to treat everyone with courtesy and respect



To maintain and promote the professional image of Synnovis and our partner NHS Trusts.

To participate in and contribute to the Performance Planning and Review (PPR) process



Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's 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.



Guy's 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: Women's Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Children's Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guy's 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!