Genetic Technologist - Analyst

Job overview

The Royal Marsden has a vital role in championing change and improvement in cancer care through research and innovation, education and leading-edge practice. We are incredibly proud of our international reputation for pushing the boundaries and for our ground breaking work ensuring our patients receive the very best and latest in cancer treatment and care.

As part of the department expansion, an opportunity has arisen for a Genetic Technologist Analyst to join the Clinical Genomics department. The Clinical Genomics laboratory at the Royal Marsden is part of the North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub (NT GLH), one of seven national Genomic Laboratory Hubs offering Cancer Genomic testing in England. The department is located in the Centre for Molecular Pathology in Sutton. The Centre for Molecular Pathology is a state-of-the-art facility bringing together translational science and molecular diagnostics. It is one of the few specialised laboratories in molecular diagnostics of cancer in Europe. The department provides a reference Molecular Diagnostics and Cytogenetics Service for solid tumours and haematological malignancies, as well as participating in clinical trials and collaborating with the industry (https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/royal-marsden-partnership-create-state-art-house-liquid-biopsy-testing-facility) to provide cutting-edge genomic technologies to support personalised cancer treatment.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will undertake analytical and administrative duties required to support the scientific teams in the provision of an effective and high quality molecular diagnostics service to patients. This will require detailed theoretical and practical knowledge. They will be responsible for carrying out analytical molecular diagnostics investigations. They will collaborate and plan complex activities with other members of the team to achieve an effective and reliable service. The post holder will be expected to assist in training of new staff members and visitors as well as to contribute to IT development and data management relating to the technical aspects of the molecular service In addition the post holder will be required to support activities such as quality, including compliance with laboratory accreditation standards, equipment maintenance and participate in the departments training programme.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information please refer to the job description and personal specification

To be responsible for own work and that of junior members of staff under the direction of senior scientific staff/clinical scientist. This will include all aspects of the clinical scientific & technical work, staff, equipment and quality system.

To ensure the timely and efficient provision of core and technologically complex analytical/diagnostic services, including but not limited to PCR, RQ-PCR, sequencing, NGS and ddPCR analysis.

• To take day to day responsibility for the quality of analytical work produced.
• To ensure that clinical requests are met according to agreed policies on availability of tests and priorities in accordance with user guide.
• To ensure that work is carried out in line with Standing Operational Procedures and/or Departmental policy.
• To monitor quality control of all the tests performed.
• To assist in the preparation of SOPs and other documentation.
• Maintain records, both paper and electronic.

To ensure that statutory and Trust requirements for record keeping of results are met by validation or verification of reports as required.

• To ensure that quality control tests are conducted and meet required analytical standards. Where appropriate implement a remedial action plan in line with SOPs.
• To ensure that all logs (electronic or paper) are maintained.
• To participate in audits as required.

We are seeking an enthusiastic Genetic Technologist Analyst to contribute to the provision of a timely and efficient ISO 15189 accredited Clinical Genomics Service. The post holder will undertake molecular diagnostic analysis, this requires detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of the work area. The range of tests available will be in continuous development and the post-holder will be responsible for the validation and verification of new techniques and tests, including the provision of NGS and ddPCR for molecular diagnostics in haematological and solid tumours. The post holder will be expected to assist in training of new staff members and visitors as well as to contribute to IT development and data management relating to the technical aspects of the molecular service and therefore needs to be fully IT literate. In addition the post holder will be required to support activities such as quality, including compliance with laboratory accreditation standards, equipment maintenance and participate in the departments training programme. Good communication and team working are essential.   The successful applicant must have a relevant BSc degree in Biological Sciences/Genetics. They must have in depth post-graduate experience in molecular diagnostics techniques. Voluntary registration with The Science Council (RSci) is desirable but not essential.