Genetic Technologist

The Oxford Genetics laboratories, have a vacancy for a Band 5 Genetic Technologist.

The post-holder will be expected to perform a range of techniques in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures. The role will also include workflow management of a specific area under the supervision of Senior Genetic Technologists or Clinical Scientists, which may also include some supervision of junior staff, training and troubleshooting. Genetic Technologists also undertake both the analysis of test data and the reporting of routine results.

They process a wide range of pathological specimens for a broad range of inherited conditions according to standard operating procedures, and are competent in the use of patient databases, state of the art technologies and a variety of software packages, some of which are complex, for the analysis of data.
They perform highly accurate and skilled analysis, with often unpredictable outcomes and requiring periods of concentration.
They are expected to communicate complex technical, scientific and confidential information to colleagues within their department in electronic, written and verbal forms.
Technologists/Analysts participate in the teaching and training load of the department through demonstration of own performance of appropriate standard operating procedures to other genetic technologists and trainee Clinical Scientists within the limits of their experience. They are also required to attend and participate in appropriate training seminars, and regular section and departmental meetings.

The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

The Oxford Genetics laboratories are part of the Central & South Genomic Laboratory Hub (C&S GLH), one of 7 GLHs recently established to deliver NHS England’s National Genomic Medicine Service. We provide a comprehensive range of cytogenetic, molecular cytogenetic and molecular
genetic investigations for both rare disease and acquired disorders (solid tumour and haematological malignancy).

Clinical Service
1. Deliver the technical service of a section/subsection or designated area of work to nationally accepted standards (CPA or equivalent) with appropriate support to include the following:
a. Follow standard operating procedures for the receipt, booking in,
processing and analysis of samples
b. Review appropriate risk and COSHH assessments in areas relevant to
own practise and abide by laboratory health and safety policies
c. Undertake basic troubleshooting for failed analyses
d. Validate quality of technical analysis, repeat and perform subsequent
investigations following discussions with more senior technologists or
clinical scientists according to defined criteria
e. Draft routine normal reports on the patient database according to defined templates
f. Arrange dispatch of different types of samples. Deal with queries relating
to the receipt and dispatch of samples, including products of conception
(received for post-mortem examination), and other tissues.
2. Establish, maintain, sub-culture and harvest cell cultures, or undertake DNA extraction, from a variety of biological specimens received which may be high risk (eg HIV, Hep C) and/ or derived from recognisable human or fetal parts, by all methods currently employed in the laboratory and to work safely under exposure to toxic substances which are hazardous to health.
3. Identify unusual or failed results and bring them to the attention of senior technologist or scientists for further discussion
4. Liaise with senior technical or scientific colleagues over availability of equipment, sample prioritisation, or requirement for supplementary cell cultures or chromosome preparations, when planning work schedules in designated areas of work, in accordance with laboratory protocols and under the supervision of the Section Head and/or Laboratory Director.

6. Attend, and actively participate in, team and laboratory meetings with opportunity to propose improvements in efficiency and changes to scientific and technical protocols and to contribute to the development and implementation of departmental policies within the limits of experience.

Laboratory Management
7. Prepare reagents and media used in the processing and testing of samples, and safely handle toxic substances that are hazardous to health (e.g. PHA, co