Job Description

A position has become available within the Molecular Diagnosis laboratory at King's College Hospital for a fixed term 1 year post as a Genetic Technologist, to support the development and implementation of long read nanopore sequencing in the laboratory. The laboratory is part of the South East Genomics Laboratory Hub and is a national reference centre for haemoglobinopathy diagnosis and a leader in the diagnosis of inherited red blood cell disorders. The laboratory offers targeted next generation sequencing for over 200 genes and has dedicated on site bioinformatics to support the service. All services offered are UKAS accredited.



The Molecular Pathology laboratory is a team of 23, comprising of clinical scientists, biomedical scientists and genetic technologists. This role will be split between working with the nanopore sequencing project team on development of this service, and supporting the wider team for service delivery.



The post holder will be required to have an understanding of all types of instrumentation in the lab and the work processes that are followed. The post holder will support senior staff in carrying out the laboratory work for the nanopore sequencing project, including liaising with staff in other departments, with the wider nanopore sequencing community, and with other members of the lab team. They will also be expected to support other staff to ensure continuous delivery of services where required. Any change that is implemented will need to be documented and recorded following UKAS standards. They will also be responsible for teaching and training lower grades of staff, in how to perform tests, analyse data and carry out tasks. The postholder will be required to have an understanding of quality management assisting the molecular section in audit and documentation.



They will also be responsible for assisting in troubleshooting of equipment and assays where appropriate, therefore good knowledge of molecular techniques is essential for the role. They will be required to ensure provision and maintenance of equipment and records to ISO15189 standards.



Processing samples for nanopore sequencing, supporting senior staff in the data analysis and compiling of results

Contribute to the provision of a comprehensive and appropriate diagnostic service to users through the performance of manual, semi-automated and fully-automated laboratory investigations.

Ensure all instrumentation in the laboratory is run, maintained and used appropriately.

Provide support for staff utilising highly specialised equipment, including assistance with maintenance and troubleshooting.

Ensure work is completed timely and to satisfactory standards, results are reported within the agreed turnaround times and in accordance with the relevant Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

Review assess and initiate corrective action when Quality Control procedures indicate loss of performance

Review and revise laboratory SOP on a regular basis and advise the operations manager of any material changes

Participation in audits to highlight deficiencies in the pre-examination, examination and post-examination process.

Undertake laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the laboratory managers and contribute to service development supported by evidence-based practice

Participate in the training of others in the areas in which the postholder has been assessed as competent.

Actively assisting in all aspects of quality management system, ensuring compliance with the standards of ISO15189



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.



Communication



Participate in laboratory staff meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department relating to service issues, training needs and process changes

Service issues resolved in a timely manner or referred to the appropriate operations manager or lead scientist

Communicate any event, which may cause service delivery failure, or other issues/problems that may affect the laboratory or Molecular Pathology to the operations manager or lead scientist

Provide and receive complex information relating to the clinical condition and treatment of patients and/or the results and interpretation of diagnostic tests to and from work colleagues or users of the service

Prioritise and plan own workload within a given time period and communicate own work priorities within the team. Demonstrate flexibility in carrying out own work priorities within the team context

Liaise with users of the service as necessary, with direction of enquiries to the appropriate member of staff

Assist in developing and maintaining a customer-oriented work environment

Maintain courteous and professional conduct at all times with staff, patients and visitors

Liaise with medical and laboratory staff at external referral centres regarding results and sample requirements



Technical



Processing samples for nanopore sequencing, supporting senior staff in the data analysis and compiling of results

Ensure all instrumentation in the laboratory is run, maintained and used appropriately. This includes working with senior Genetic Technologist to ensure required external and internal calibrations & maintenance are organised in a timely manner. All records of which are documented.

Be proactive in suggesting new technical developments or ideas

Provide a comprehensive and appropriate diagnostic service to users through the performance of manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures

Provide support for staff utilising highly specialised equipment, including assistance with maintenance and troubleshooting.

Ensure work is completed timely and to satisfactory standards, results are reported within the agreed turnaround times and in accordance with the relevant Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Undertake technical validation of results from laboratory investigations where necessary using judgemental expertise and ensuring accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols and quality procedures

Monitor outstanding work lists and turnaround times of laboratory investigations and act on information to maintain and/or improve the service provided

To analyse samples from External Quality Assessment Schemes in a timely manner, communicate performance from this to the managers of the laboratory

Implement and maintain the Quality Assurance Procedures in the laboratory to measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations

Ensure documentation, analysis and graphical display of all Quality Assurance data generated by the work area

Review assess and initiate corrective action when Quality Control procedures indicate loss of performance

Assess, initiate and monitor appropriate action when a situation may cause service delivery failure

Review and revise laboratory SOP on a regular basis and advise the laboratory managers of any material changes

Ensure that reagents are prepared stored and used in a manner suitable for patient investigations



Scientific



Develop and improve scientific knowledge and awareness of developments in the appropriate field of expertise via Continuing Professional Development (CPD) ensuring this knowledge is passed on to staff where appropriate

Undertake training and development to successfully acquire core competencies necessary for performance of bioinformatics analysis

Maintain registration with the Healthcare Professions Council (ACHS), if appropriate

Maintain a portfolio that demonstrates CPD achievement

Under the supervision of the service delivery manager and the laboratory managers help to develop, evaluate and implement new tests and processes including production or amendment of SOPs and provision and documentation of staff training

Undertake laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the laboratory managers and contribute to service development supported by evidence-based practice

Participate in research and development as directed



Clinical



Understand the genotype/ phenotype relationship in respect to the tests you are reporting

Assess the clinical relevance and importance of diagnostic test requests, work in progress and test results

Efficient management of patients' clinical material and maintenance of a safe ethical system of storage

Have a general understanding of ethics and the human tissue act with application to samples that may be used in research, test development or as a control

Participate in audit to highlight deficiencies in the pre-examination, examination and post-examination process, as required by the laboratory managers



Laboratory Informatics



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

Be familiar with and proficient in the use of the Laboratory Information System's (LIMS) in accordance with the relevant SOP's

Enter personally generated test results and those obtained by others on the LIMS

Undertake work-file management to ensure all results are reported within the required turnaround time

Records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK)

Maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases

Be competent at using any third party software deemed necessary for performing the role



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.



King's College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UK's leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. King's has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.



Over the last 170 years, King's has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.