Healthcare Scientist

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an individual to join our team as a Healthcare Scientist. The successful candidate will be based within the haemato-oncology team, which encompasses both molecular and cytogenetic analyses. We are seeking enthusiastic, self-motivated individuals with strengths in analysing complex data and/or interpreting the significance of results who wish to broaden their experience and develop new skills.

This is an ideal opportunity for scientists from a research/academia background to gain experience in a diagnostic/clinical laboratory. HCPC registration is not essential for these posts as appointment will be at band 6. However, those interested in working towards registration are encouraged to apply and support towards registration can be provided.

The Oxford Genetics Laboratories, part of the Central & South Genomic Laboratory Hub, provide state-of-the-art diagnostic testing for a comprehensive range of molecular and cytogenetic investigations for a number of Specialist and Core Rare Disease services as well as both cytogenetic and molecular services for Haemato-oncology and Solid tumours; including NGS panel analysis and WGS interpretation as determined by the genomics test directory. Alongside this, we are active in research and development, undertaking translational projects and collaborating closely with many of the genetic research leaders in Oxford as well as the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre.

Main duties of the job

Main purpose of the post:

To undertake clinical, scientific, technical and managerial duties, subject to the supervision of the section head/laboratory director, within a designated section(s) providing a range ofspecialised or complex investigations To take a high level of responsibility for their own work with ultimateresponsibility for quality, accuracy and interpretation of results resting with more senior Clinical Scientists. To communicate complex scientific and technical information and provide specialised advice to other health care professionals subject to the supervision of the section head/laboratorydirector. To contribute to research and service development relevant to the aims of the department and acquire new scientific skills and expertise to maintain the laboratory at the forefront of scientific developments. To participate in the teaching and training of pre-registration clinical scientists and genetic technologists as well as Specialist Registrars and other visitors within the limits of their experience. To rotate between sections to obtain the breadth and depth of experience required at this level and undertake further training and CPD.

About us

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. Find out more here

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 theOUH YouTube channel.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical/Scientific 1) Deliver the clinical service of a section/subsection of the laboratory or designated area of work to nationally accepted standards (CPA/UKAS or equivalent) with appropriate technical support to include the following:a. Undertake or supervise the receipt, processing and analysis of samples;and the checking, interpretation and reporting of results (both standardand complex).b. Access relevant sources of information to aid interpretation of patientresults, including critical appraisal of the Collate patient and clinical information to assist and support future patient Interpret results with advice on further action for patient or familymembers, including calculation of risk where appropriate, within relevantprofessional guidelines2) Undertake appropriate complex or specialist technical and analytical procedures, as required, to process cells 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. Work safely under exposure to toxic substances that are hazardous to health (eg PHA, colchicine)3) Undertake extended periods of analysis to identify genomic variation either through analysis of large data sets or examination of cytogenetic preparations4) Independently check and validate the analysis findings of other registered scientists, non-registered scientists and genetic technologists as appropriate, authorising repeat analyses or subsequent investigations in accordance with laboratory protocols. Identify unusual results and bring them to the attention of senior scientists for further discussion5) Interpret findings from the range of investigations undertaken on a patient. Undertake detailed literature review and interrogation of databases to investigate the clinical significance of genomic variation detected. Prepare reports withclinical interpretation within designated service areas for final authorisation by Senior Registered Clinical Scientists/Principal Scientists/Consultant Scientists6) Act in an advisory capacity to clinical colleagues on the submission of samples, appropriate tests and in the interpretation of results in designated areas of the service, under the supervision of the section head7) Supply a high level of scientific skill and expertise in the investigative procedures involved and take a high level of responsibility for his/her own work, subject to supervision from and the direction of, senior personnel in the laboratory. Be adaptable to changing diagnostic workload pressures, by making independent day-to-day decisions about own workload ( prioritising own diagnostic cases or deciding when to undertake additional investigations). The post holder must communicate with, and when necessary obtain help/advice from, appropriate senior staff

8) Maintain up to date specialist level knowledge of current scientific literature and information (eg Professional Best Practice) for defined services in order to ensure that the designated services are of high quality9) Maintain proficiency in the use of complex software for the analysis of genomic samples10)Maintain proficiency in the navigation, interrogation and application of all relevant and up to date genome browsers/information databases (eg DGV, DECIPHER, Exome Variant Server and Alamut Visual) to assess significance of copy number variants and/or identified mutations and maintain up to date knowledge of scientific and clinical advances in the field.

Quality & Clinical Governance 11)Work within the section/subsection to ensure achievement of and adherence to the standards required of an accredited laboratory, in close liaison with the Quality manager and under the direction of the section head and laboratory ensure any identified risks are communicated to the appropriate personnel in line with laboratory and Trust protocols13)To ensure incidents are reported and investigated, including root cause analysis, in line with laboratory and Trust protocols14)Troubleshoot / maintain and improve existing services through knowledge of genetics and current advances in the field including communications with colleagues in other centres15)Participate in internal quality control, audit activities and internal and external quality assessment procedures16)Contribute within the team to improvements in efficiency and changes to clinical, scientific and technical protocols17)Participate in the preparation of the department for ensure that all members of staff based in the section abide by all statutoryrequirements, codes of practice, safety regulations and operational policies of the department and to be aware of these measures as applied to other laboratory record keeping processes and assist with retrieval and presentation of data as required20)Maintain confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with Data Protection Act of 1984.

Research & Development 21)Contribute to planned and agreed research and service developments relevant to the aims of the department under the direction of senior scientists / Consultant Head of Laboratory. This may include using state of the art technologies to improve the efficiency of existing tests, transfer technology from research to diagnostics and to establish and implement new services. This may also include participation in formal funded research programmes22)Present laboratory findings from case studies, audit and research projects to local, national or international scientific meetings and in peer reviewed scientific journals23)Contribute to the design, validation and implementation of new assays/testing methodologies or continuous improvement of existing assays for the continued development of the service

Managerial 24)Plan, manage and organise own workload to meet priorities and ensure timely reporting. Take responsibility for the accuracy of own work, undertake an appropriate proportion of the total workload of the Department and monitor own performance. The post holder will collaborate with all other staff, to be an effective team member, and achieve optimal use of resources25)To liaise with others on the day-to-day organisation of staff within the team and to ensure smooth running of the service overall26)Assist with the management of an additional component of the Genetics service ( the supervision/training of designated staff, authorisation of competences, organisation of journal club, responsibility for EQA, delivery of routine audits)27)Through implementation of the Trust Core Values demonstrate a professional and responsible manner at all times.

Education & Development 28)Participate in the teaching and training of Genetic Technologists, Pre-registration Scientists and other professional groups as required29)To actively participate in the departmental seminar programme, presenting as appropriate. This may extend to presenting data at scientific in CPD activities, taking measures to acquire, improve and apply scientific skills and expertise to perform the job to a high level of skill; this includes rotation within the laboratory to build experience, attending internal and external training sessions, relevant courses and external study days, attendance at national or international scientific conferences and keeping up-to-date withcurrent scientific journals and literature through personal or group self-learning31)Participate in regular performance review and personal development planning

32)Undertake statutory and mandatory training in line with Trust protocols Human Resources33)Supervise the work of Genetic Technologists and any visiting students or healthcare professionals within the section as required

General 34)Take responsibility with others for the daily maintenance of complexinstrumentation systems within the laboratory35)Take responsibility with others for the maintenance of stocks of reagents and consumables to ensure the proper functioning of the laboratory and efficient use of resources. Ensure that all equipment is used appropriately and safely and that any faults are reported for immediate rectification36)Abide by all Operational Policies applicable to the Department37)Co-operate with management and safety representatives in matters connected with the Health and Safety at Work Act of Practice for safety in laboratories38)Attend regular team, laboratory and departmental meetings and contribute to the development and implementation of departmental policies39)Participate in out of hours duties, if required, in line with the Department Out of Hours Policy40)Work such hours as required for the effective and timely performance of his/her duties, as specified in the terms of the contract of employment41)Undertake any other duties commensurate with experience and job role as a result of changes to the service as agreed by the Consultant Head of Laboratory or Trust and reviewed as part of the annual staff appraisal

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

Good first degree in Genetics or Biological Science with a Genetics component plus minimum of 2 years laboratory experience MSc in Human Genetics

Desirable

HCPC Registration as a Clinical Scientist (Molecular Genetics, Cytogenetics or Genetics) PhD /DPhil in a relevant subject area

Experience, Knowledge

Essential

Experience in a diagnostic genetics laboratory OR equivalent research experience Good technical and analytical skills Experience of interpreting the results of genetic analysis in the context of the patient's clinical presentation Experience of dealing with telephone enquiries in an informed manner Troubleshooting techniques, instrumentation and software and tests Developing new methodologies, designing new tests Teaching and Training

Desirable

Translational research and development through formal funded programmes of work Experience of writing papers and publishing in peer reviewed journals Bioinformatics, handling and manipulating large data sets Experience in providing clinical technical services for a range of inherited conditions Developing new methodologies, designing new tests

Skills, Abilities

Essential

Thorough in-depth knowledge of human genetics, a thorough knowledge of mod To have developed skills in the analysis and interpretation of genetic tests across a range of methodologies Able to advise on designated aspects of service provision and development Able to use and manipulate laboratory computer systems (databases) Able to use and manipulate a variety of software packages to analyse data, some of which are complex and developed in research rather than corporate environments Able to use and navigate through a variety of internet based scientific databases Good verbal and written communication skills Able to prepare and present scientific and clinical information at meetings or as part of teaching commitment Able to organise and manage complex activities Able to maintain intense and prolonged concentration on important tasks despite frequent interruptions Ability to cope with the fast pace of change in Genetics emerging technologies and changes to practice Ability to critically evaluate and discuss complex scientific and clinical information

Desirable

Developing ability and confidence to challenge established views Able to advise medical and other health care professions on investigations and clinical interpretation of own area of work with back -up from senior staff where necessary

Personal Attributes

Essential

Ability to assimilate information quickly Ability to work as part of a team Methodical approach to work Professional attitude Desire to learn and to develop further Ability to work under pressure and demonstrate resilience

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