Clinical Scientist in Cancer Genomics

Job overview

Bristol Genetics Laboratory - South West Genomic Laboratory Hub

Southmead Hospital, Bristol

Clinical Scientist in Cancer Genomics permanent post available

Open to HCPC registered Clinical Scientists and those approaching completion of the Clinical Scientist Training Programme.  Appointment at band 6 will be considered for candidates who have not yet completed training.

Full time or part time considered.

A Clinical Scientist vacancy in  Cancer Genomics has arisen within the South West Genomics laboratory Hub lab at the Bristol Genetics Laboratory (BGL) site due to service expansion.

With a scientific and technical staff of ~200, BGL is housed in new state of the art Pathology laboratories in North Bristol NHS Trust.

BGL is a fully integrated Genomics Laboratory providing comprehensive and expanding  and Cancer Genomic (solid tumour, haematological malignancy and inherited cancer) and Rare Inherited Disease testing to the South West with extensive specialist services attracting a large number of national and international referrals.  BGL has a significant R&D programme and also benefits from co-location with the University of Bristol Learning and Research Centre in the Trust Science Quarter.

Successful candidates will join a dynamic, friendly and motivated team committed to providing excellent services for patients. BGL is fully committed to the provision of high quality staff training at all levels, as an accredited training centre.

Main duties of the job

Successful candidates will use scientific,  and clinical skills to analyse genomic data and prepare and authorise patient reports. The roles also involve significant clinical communication /education, research and development, and quality assurance/ improvement.

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate:

• A good first degree/higher qualification in Genetics or equivalent, higher degree desirable
• HCPC registration in Cancer Genomics/Genomics/Genetics or close to achieving registration
• Clinical service experience
• Completion of the Modernising Scientific Careers Training Scheme including MSc in Genetics/Genomic Science OR a Postgraduate Certificate of competence in Molecular Genetics or Cytogenetics
• Applications are also invited from those approaching the end of the Clinical Scientist Training Programme, with initial appointment to Band 6 pending completion of HCPC registration

Full time 37.5 hours per week. Part time and job share considered. There are excellent opportunities for progression for qualified and motivated applicants.

Contact Laura Yarram-Smith for further information:

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To apply highly specialist scientific skill and expertise in diagnostic laboratory genetics including troubleshooting of assays and techniques both existing and in development.
• To ensure that the service is effective and current by regular literature review.
• To implement laboratory procedures for sample receipt, processing, IQC, analysis, checking, interpretation, preparation of reports (both standard and complex) and reporting of results.
• In partnership with others, to be responsible for the accuracy, timeliness and appropriateness of a variety of routine and non-routine highly specialised genomic tests.
• To correctly interpret and explain results with advice on further action for patient or family members, including calculation of risk and use of appropriate online resources, literature and databases as appropriate, within relevant professional guidelines and subject to supervision from senior staff.
• To contribute to appropriate multidisciplinary team meetings to give a professional opinion on clinical cases.
• To communicate scientific data and results at local, national and international meetings and in the scientific literature under the overall direction of senior staff.
• Authorisation of a subset of clinical and administrative reports, as directed by senior staff
• To work with the team to ensure achievement of and adherence to the standards required of a CPA (Clinical Pathology Accreditation UK Ltd.) accredited Laboratory, in close liaison with the Quality Lead and Quality Manager and under the direction of the Head of Section and ultimately the Head of Department.
• The post holder will participate and lead with medium-term service development and enhancement under the overall direction of more senior staff. This may include: o  Contribution to evaluation and implementation of new methods or new ways of working etc. o  Evaluation of published developments and innovations and their transfer into clinical practice o  Project supervision
• To undertake continued training and development and to acquire, improve and apply new skills to ensure safe efficient and effective service delivery and to comply with the appropriate CPD scheme. The post holder is encouraged to work towards further qualifications (eg FRCPath).
• The post holder is encouraged to work towards further qualifications (eg FRCPath).

Bioinformaticians

• Assist with the formulation, testing, problem solving, validation, organisation and implementation of innovative approaches that enable the efficient processing, analysis, storage, management and refinement of large amounts of complex data generated by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) pipelines.
• Make adjustments to ensure the outcomes meet the requirements of the users (eg. to enable a clinician or clinical scientist to view and interpret relevant data at patient level).
• Assist with the design, troubleshooting and documentation of procedures for analysing various sources of IT issues when an NGS pipeline (for example) is not working as it should.
• Assist with identifying how to use data innovatively but ethically to derive the most benefit for the patient (for example, to make new genetic diagnoses).
• Responsible for using initiative and specialist knowledge of bioinformatics, statistical analysis, data mining and programming, to make decisions on how to obtain required results within defined criteria and ensure timely delivery of high quality information.
• Responsible for the communication of developments in bioinformatics to diagnostic and research staff working in the laboratory.