Biological Specimen Coordinator

Full Time 37.5 hours per week. Fixed Term 12-month post Cross-Site

Agenda for Change terms and conditions - Band 4 Biological Specimen coordinator.

An excellent opportunity has arisen at The Royal Marsden Hospital to work within the Head and Neck Research Unit as Biological Specimen Coordinator.

The Head and Neck Unit at The Royal Marsden is one of the largest of its kind in Europe and includes one of the largest research teams within the trust. It is recognised worldwide for its strength in diagnosing and treating cancers of the head and neck. The Royal Marsden has now also become the world’s first International Centre for Recurrent Head & Neck Cancer (IReC). IReC has an ambitious aim to create a centre of excellence and set international standards in the curative treatment, palliation, and supportive care of recurrent head and neck cancers.

The role of Biological Specimen Coordinator is pivotal, and you will be part of a multidisciplinary team, liaising with a variety of staff throughout the Royal Marsden and Institute of Cancer (ICR).

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with relevant lab experience to uphold high standards of clinical trial conduct in accordance with the principles of GCP. In addition, you will have excellent communication, and administrative skills, and be supportive to new initiatives. The successful applicant should have a flexible approach to their duties and the ability to work both as part of the team as well as independently.

The post holder will work within the RMHNST and ICR and be responsible for collecting, cataloguing, and processing clinical samples at both Chelsea and Sutton sites.

Processing, labelling, managing, and tracking the collection and sending of samples in compliance with all current regulations and SOPs.

Storing samples in the appropriate conditions (e.g., fridges and freezers at -80 o C).

Receiving samples in-house at the Royal Marsden NHS Trust and travelling to collect samples taken elsewhere at the RMHNHST and from the Institute of Cancer Research (within close proximity to both sites).

Manage the data associated with the collected samples and other archival materials, accurately recording, and tracking each sample.

To participate in regular tissue audits.

Develop a useful set of laboratory skills associated with processing samples

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification

To coordinate the dispatch of samples to other centres as specified by trial protocols

To manage collections of frozen clinical material already present in tissue banks

To keep and continuously update accurate databases containing information relating to the collected tissues and stored samples.

To collate detailed medical history and clinical details as required by individual studies and clinical trials.

To ensure that all tissue and data collection adheres to current ethical guidelines for tissue collection adopted by the RMHNHST.