JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:Senior Genetic Technologist(FFPE Tumour Service)

Division/Department:Regional Genetics Laboratory

Responsible to:Head of Genetics Laboratory

Accountable to:Team Leader, Principal Clinical Scientist

Band:AfCBand 6

Hours:37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Location:Regional Genetics Laboratory

Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow

JOB SUMMARY

The laboratory provides a comprehensive genetics service to a population of approximately 3.6 million in North West London, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

  • To undertake the technical and analytical duties of Senior Genetic Technologist to support the scientific teams in the provision of an effective and high quality genetics service to patients.
  • To be responsible for the day to day organisation of the technical work to ensure timely delivery of genetic testing for FFPE tumour samples.
  • To maintain a high level of accuracy and reliability in defined routine, preparative, processing, analytical and associated procedures following documented laboratory protocols.
  • To collaborate with other members of the laboratory and department in all matters necessary to achieve the maximum efficiency of the service.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1.Working relationships and communication requirements of post

  1. To be responsible to a Team Leader (Principal Clinical Scientist). To perform the role following standard operating procedures to a standard that enables the accurate, timely, and efficient delivery of the highest quality of service to patients.
  2. To collaborate with all other members of staff where joint operation is necessary to achieve optimal use of resources.
  3. To report authorised tumour analysis results following laboratory procedures.
  4. To liaise with secretarial staff regarding issues relating to specimen booking-in and patient details.
  5. To deal with telephone enquiries from other healthcare professionals, and to make telephone enquiries to other healthcare professionals, relating to basic patient and sample information, in an accurate and courteous manner.
  6. To maintain accurate electronic and paper records, and to participate in maintaining the laboratory’s computerised database and operational systems as required.
  7. To participate in an annual appraisal according to Trust policy.

2. Level of clinical responsibility

Tumour testing workflow

  1. To receive and book-in FFPE tumour and related samples.
  2. To co-ordinate with Histopathology laboratories regarding preparation of slide sections for DNA extraction
  3. To extract DNA from FFPE sectionsfollowing standard operating procedures.
  4. To test and analyse FFPE extracted DNA for a variety of tumour markers including microsatellite instability and DNA methylation.
  5. To report normal and abnormal results and prepare reports using standard report templates for authorisation by clinical scientistprior to issue
  6. To return tumour blocks to originating Histopathology laboratories following completion of testing

General service cover

To participate general Genetic Technologist duties as required to provide cover during leave or other absences. Such duties may include:

  1. Receipt and booking in of samples for genetic testing
  2. DNA extraction from a range of sample types
  3. Perform a range of molecular techniques both manually and using automated technology including validation of the outcome of the reaction.
  4. To report normal and abnormal results and prepare reports using standard report templates for authorisation by clinical scientist prior to issue.
  5. To take personal responsibility for an appropriate proportion of the practical and analytical workload arising from the specimens referred to the laboratory.
  6. To prepare and measure out reagents and media used in the processing and testing of specimens including maintaining accurate documentation and quality control of everything that is used in the procedures.
  7. To comply with the Trust’s Health & Safety policy. To report any breaches of Health and Safety policy to a Clinical Scientist or Departmental Health and Safety representative.
  8. To participate in internal and external quality procedures and to abide by all codes of practice, statutory requirements and operational policies of the department and Trust.
  9. To participate in out of hours cover as required by the service.

3. Leadership and staff management responsibility

  1. To be involved in training new and junior members of technical staff in the practical aspects of the role under direction of Training Officer or designated Principal Clinical Scientist.
  2. It is Postholder’s responsibility to be familiar with and to work in compliance with policies and procedures of the laboratory, Trust and any national or statutory bodies as appropriate to their own roles and responsibilities.
  3. To work with the team to ensure achievement and adherence to the standards required of UKAS ISO:15189 accreditation.
  4. In collaboration with Team Leader, to ensure leave arrangements amongst technical team to ensure adequate technical workload cover.

4. Financial responsibility

  1. To take responsibility for maintaining stocks of reagents and consumables required for preparation, testing and analysis of FFPE tumour samples to ensure the efficient use of resources and business continuity.
  2. To participate in systems for tracking delivery of supplies and for timely and effective follow-up of delivery problems
  3. To assist in equipment procurement in consultation with the Head of Laboratory including liaison with suppliers for the purposes of evaluation and demonstration, price negotiation, delivery, installation and related matters

5. Service Development and Improvement

  1. To participate in clinical audit projects as an ongoing review of service quality and efficiency in collaboration with the Quality Manager.
  2. To be involved in the development of tests for new tumour biomarkers under the supervision of Clinical Scientist.
  3. To be involved in the evaluation of new/replacement equipment under the supervision of Clinical Scientist.
  4. To follow procedures documented in the laboratory’s written protocols (standard operating procedures) and propose changes to procedures or working practices.

6. Responsibility for dealing with difficult situations

  1. To take responsibility for the organisation of their own workload and to take actions to re-prioritise own workload and that of other members of technical team.
  2. To deal with specimens of a distressing nature for example from fetuses and from fetal loss.
  3. To communicate unresolved staff problems to a Principal Clinical Scientist for advice and support
  4. To inform Principal Clinical Scientist of any incidents and errors that the member of staff has been directly involved in and to accurately record the incidents and errors and ensure any corrective action is implemented.

7. Physical Working Conditions and Environment

  1. To safely handle contained or controlled biological materials.
  2. To safely handle hazardous chemicals.
  3. To comply with the visual display regulations.
  4. To undertake long periods of analysis of test results on a daily basis, with reference to the relevant laboratory Health and Safety procedures. The analyses are often complex in nature requiring prolonged periods of concentration.
  5. To undertake periods of sustained concentration during analytical procedures requiring tube-tube transfers on batches of patient samples

8. Knowledge, Training and Education

  1. To follow a technical training programme for this grade. The programme is competence based with defined objectives, and will enable the post holder to acquire specific job related technical and interpretive competences. The duration of the training period will be dependent on the previous experience of the post holder.
  2. To attend any training days or courses considered appropriate to the position that will allow the post holder to develop their knowledge and skills.
  3. To maintain a portfolio of continuing professional development activities.
  4. Postholdershould beAHCS registered or working towards registration.Maintenance of registration is mandatory.

9.Other Aspects of the Role

1.To undertake any other duties which may arise from changes, expansion or development of the service, or from necessary reallocation of work within the framework of the job description.

2.Hours of work as agreed with laboratory management at appointment.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

INFORMATION GOVERNANCE

All NHS workers must abide at all times by the Confidentiality: NHS Code of Practice document issued by the Department of Health, and follow the relevant confidentiality and privacy policies specifically adopted by the Trust. Information relating to patients, employees and business of the Trust must be treated in the strictest confidence and under no circumstances should such information be discussed with any unauthorised person(s) or organisations. All information collected, stored and used must be done so in compliance with the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act (2000) and all relevant Trust Policy. Breaches of confidentiality or information governance protocol may lead to disciplinary action.

INFORMATION SECURITY

All staff must adhere to the requirements of the Trust’s Information Security Policy, which covers the deployment and use of all of the Trust’s electronic information systems (i.e. all computers, peripheral equipment, software and data). In serious cases, failure to comply with the Policy may result in disciplinary action and could also result in a criminal offence.

HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK Act (1974)

You are required to take reasonable care for your health, safety and welfare and that of other people who may be affected by your actions or omissions. These responsibilities apply at all times whilst you are at work or on duty and apply to all Trust premises and also whilst working in the community or on any other Trust business.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND EQUALITIES LEGISLATION

It is the policy of London North West Healthcare NHS Trust that no user of service, present or future employee or job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of their sex, perceived or actual sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion or belief, age, creed, colour, nationality, national origin, ethnic origin, or disability, or on the grounds of their association with someone in one of these groups; nor is disadvantaged by any conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justified.

PATIENT & PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

Section 11 of the Health & Social Care Act 2001, places a duty on NHS organisations to involve and consult patients, the public and other stakeholders in the planning and ongoing development of services. It is the responsibility of each member of staff, clinical and non-clinical to appropriately involve and consult patients, the public and other stakeholders.

RISK MANAGEMENT

You are required to contribute to the control of risk and use the incident reporting system to alert the Trust of incidents or near misses that may compromise the quality of services.

CORPORATE / CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

It is the duty of every employee to fulfil their individual clinical governance responsibilities and their expected contribution to ensuring that the Trust complies with benchmarked standards for quality of clinical care.

INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED INFECTION

Infection Control is everyone’s responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non-clinical, are required to adhere to the Trust’s Infection Prevention and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards to infection control at all times thereby reducing the burden of Healthcare Associated Infections including MRSA. In particular all staff have the following key responsibilities:

  • Staff must wash their hands or use alcohol hand rub on entry to or exit from all clinical areas and between each patient contact.
  • Staff members have a duty to attend infection control training provided for them by the Trust.
  • Staff members who develop an infection that may be transmissible to patients have a duty to contact Occupational Health.

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults

We all have a personal and a professional responsibility within the Trust to identify and report abuse. The abuse may be known, suspected, witnessed or be limited to raised concerns. Early recognition is vital to ensuring the patient is safeguarded and any other people (children and vulnerable adults) who may be at risk. The Trust’s procedures must be implemented, working in partnership with the relevant authorities. The sharing of information no matter how small is of prime importance in safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.As an employee of the Trust you have a responsibility to ensure that:

a)you are familiar with and adhere to the Trusts procedures and guidelines for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults

b)you attend safeguarding awareness training and undertake any additional training in relation to safeguarding relevant to your role.

STAFF COMMITMENT TO PATIENT CARE

You are expected to ensure that patients’ needs, experience and safety come first and to treat patients, carers, visitors, and colleagues with dignity and respect.

HEALTH RECORDS

Clinical staff must keep accurate and clear information which is essential for the proper care of patients. Clinical and non-clinical staff who handle or use, case notes are individually responsible for the confidentiality, tracking, filing and good order of the case note at all times as outlined in the Medical Records Policy and the Information Lifecycle Management Policy. For further information refer to; Department of Health website-Records Management; NHS Code of Practice- 2006

NHS CONSTITUTION AND CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MANAGERS

Staff are required to act in accordance with the legal duties and expectations relating to their responsibilities to the public, their patients and colleagues set out in section 3b of the NHS Constitution and pages 98-109 of the Handbook to the NHS Constitution.For Managerial staff, including anyone with supervisory responsibility, the core standards of conduct set out in the NHS Code of Conduct for NHS Managers (2002) or any subsequent amendments.

This list is only an indication of the main tasks required to be performed. It is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities and may be subject to amendments to take account of changing circumstances.

The Trust reserves the right that you may be required to undertake such other duties and/or hours of work as may reasonably be required of you commensurate with your grade at your normal place of work or from another location within the Trust.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title:Senior Genetic Technologist (FFPE Tumour Service)

Division/department:Regional Genetics Laboratory

REQUIREMENT / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
Education/ Qualifications /
  • Degree or equivalent in a biological subject.
  • Completed a competency based Genetics Technologist training programme in laboratory genetics or assessed equivalent knowledge and expertise
/
  • AHCS Registration

Knowledge & Experience /
  • Minimum of 3 years working in NHS accredited Genetics laboratory or similar.
  • Basic knowledge of technical and scientific aspects of genetics.
  • Knowledge of laboratory health and safety
  • Experience of DNA extraction
  • Experience of a variety of molecular genetic diagnostic techniques
/
  • UKAS ISO:15189 accreditation process
  • DNA sequencing

Skills, Abilities and Attributes /
  • Good practical laboratory skills.
  • Good analytical skills for the detection of genetic disease.
  • Good written and verbal communication skills.
  • Good organisational and time management skills
  • Computer skills including Microsoft office applications.
  • Manual dexterity.
  • Methodical and organised approach to work with attention to detail.
  • Able to work accurately when under pressure.
  • Capable of prolonged periods of concentration.
  • Able to follow protocols accurately.
  • Able to work as part of a team.

Person specifications should be kept to a maximum of 25 bullet points

Job description and person specification drafted / amended by:

Name:Designation: Date:

JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION AGREEMENT

Job Holder’s Signature / Date
Line Manager’s Signature / Date

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:Senior Genetic Technologist (Cystic Fibrosis)

Division/Department:Regional Genetics Laboratory

Responsible to:Head of Genetics Laboratory

Accountable to:Team Leader, Principal Clinical Scientist

Band:AfC Band 6

Hours:37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Location:Regional Genetics Laboratory

Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow

JOB SUMMARY

The laboratory provides a comprehensive genetics service to a population of approximately 3.6 million in North West London, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

  • To undertake the technical and analytical duties of Senior Genetic Technologist to support the scientific teams in the provision of an effective and high quality genetics service to patients.
  • To be responsible for the day to day organisation of the technical work to ensure timely delivery of genetic testing services for the cystic fibrosis newborn screening programme and for the laboratory’s cystic fibrosis next-generation sequencing service.
  • To maintain a high level of accuracy and reliability in defined routine, preparative, processing, analytical and associated procedures following documented laboratory protocols.
  • To collaborate with other members of the laboratory and department in all matters necessary to achieve the maximum efficiency of the service.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

2.Working relationships and communication requirements of post

  1. To be responsible to a Team Leader (Principal Clinical Scientist). To perform the role following standard operating procedures to a standard that enables the accurate, timely, and efficient delivery of the highest quality of service to patients.
  2. To collaborate with all other members of staff where joint operation is necessary to achieve optimal use of resources.
  3. To report authorisedresults of cystic fibrosis newborn screening genetic tests directly to referring screening laboratories following laboratory procedures.
  4. To liaise with secretarial staff regarding issues relating to specimen booking-in and patient details.
  5. To deal with telephone enquiries from other healthcare professionals, and to make telephone enquiries to other healthcare professionals, relating to basic patient and sample information, in an accurate and courteous manner.
  6. To maintain accurate electronic and paper records, and to participate in maintaining the laboratory’s computerised database and operational systems as required.
  7. To participate in an annual appraisal according to Trust policy.

2. Level of clinical responsibility

Cystic Fibrosis Newborn Screening (NBS) Programme

  1. To receive and book-in Guthrie card samples for genetic testing as part of the CF newborn screening programme.
  2. To extract bloodspot DNA from Guthrie card samples following standard operating procedures.
  3. To test and analyse Guthrie card extracted DNA for panels of cystic fibrosis mutations relevant to the CF NBS programme.
  4. To report normal and abnormal results and prepare reports using standard report templates for authorisation by clinical scientist prior to issue to the newborn screening laboratories.

Cystic Fibrosis Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) service