Clinical Scientist

Job summary

We are looking to recruit a highly motivated Clinical Scientist to a permanent post (Synnovis Pay Band 7) within the team, which provides testing of single gene disorders in embryos, also known as Preimplantation Genetic Testing of Monogenic disorders (PGT-M). The laboratory is part of Synnovis Genetics which is the hub laboratory of the South East GLH and the only hub in England that offers testing of embryos.

The Centre for Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), Guy's Hospital is an integrated service provided alongside Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTfT) Clinical Genetics and the Assisted Conception Unit. The centre has established collaborations with other regional Genetics centres such as Sheffield, Leeds and Exeter who offer satellite PGT services.

Some scientists choose to work a hybrid working pattern from home and in the office to support an optimum work life balance.

As well as service work, our scientists are given opportunities for a role in service development, and participation in RCPath training and examinations is encouraged.

Applicants should have good communication skills, be able to take initiative, support continual quality improvement and prioritise workload. The role requires consistent attention to detail and excellent organisational skills, as well as an ability to work within a team.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will ensure standards as required by ISO15189 are maintained and will perform a variety of routine and complex genetic diagnostic tests with minimal supervision. Practical experience in a broad range of genetic techniques as well as previous experience in a diagnostic laboratory is desirable. The role will include the analysis of genetic tests and report writing using standard report templates.

The post holder will undertake a range of duties whenever appropriate, including SNP and STR linkage and Sanger sequencing analysis. The scientific and technical teams work closely to deliver a high-quality laboratory testing service. The post holder will also work as part of a multidisciplinary team comprised of Genetic Counsellors, Assisted Conception doctors, nurses and embryologists. Excellent communication skills are required to work effectively with other team members as well as our satellite centres.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Scientist who wishes to progress in their career in the field of Preimplantation Genetic Testing.

We are a small team based in the Assisted Conception Unit but work closely with the Genetics Laboratories in Tower Wing at Guy's Hospital. Guy's provides a PGT service for the majority of the UK.

The Genetics Laboratories have a number of staff who are completing STP and HSST programmes, and an increasing number of scientists have achieved registration through route 2 or equivalence pathways.

About us

The Genetics laboratories are part of Synnovis and are located within the Guy's Hospital site.

The Genetics department is made up of more than 120 staff and with close links to Clinical Services throughout Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTfT) and St George's Hospital Foundation Trust. With our partner laboratories, the GLH for the South London region provides a comprehensive genomics service for a population of 8 million which includes specialist germline and cancer tests and a class-leading whole exome sequencing service.

The Genetics laboratories work collaboratively with other pathology disciplines and research groups such as GSTfT Biomedical Research Centre and Genomics Innovation Unit.

Your development and learning

You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.

Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.

Job description

Job responsibilities

At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.

The post holder will be an experienced professional who has developed their skills and theoretical knowledge to a high standard, performing a highly complex role and continuously developing clinical, scientific and technical practice within a defined field. They will be registered with the HCPC (or anticipating registration in the near future) and be proficient in analysis, interpretation and reporting of data including genotyping, linkage and Sanger sequencing.

The post holder will participate in all aspects of the work of the Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) service. They may be given responsibility for areas of service and will be expected to support technical teams for a range of laboratory duties.

They will perform the analysis of molecular laboratory tests for the PGT-M testing of embryos for inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis, Huntington disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, inherited predisposition to breast cancer and spinal muscular atrophy.

They will be responsible for ensuring that testing and reporting are completed to a high standard within target reporting times, and be responsible for checking and authorisation of a subset of results and/or reports. The post holder may have line management responsibilities and will be expected to act as a supportive member of the team.

They will have a wide knowledge of clinical molecular genetics, and will undertake continual professional development activities to keep up to date and help to ensure that the laboratory services are up to date with current scientific developments.

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland,and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.

The partnership provides services to million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.

The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.

Guys and St Thomas Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Womens Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Childrens Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guys site.

You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

HCPC clinical scientist registration (candidates working towards state registration will be considered)

Desirable

Higher degree in Biological Science

Experience

Essential

Experience working in a diagnostic genetics laboratory Wide experience of variety of molecular genetic techniques, mutation detection and troubleshooting Experience of writing clinical diagnostic reports

Desirable

Experience of linkage analysis Laboratory supervisory work Report checking and authorisation Experience of working with a multidisciplinary team

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills, and ability to communicate complex ideas to a wide range of people at a local, national and international level Comprehensive practical and theoretical knowledge and understanding of genomics

Desirable

Line management experience and skills Participation in scientific meetings or scientific publications

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