Clinical Scientist

Job summary

We are looking for a highly motivated Clinical Scientist to join our comprehensive Genetics Service at the South East Genomic Laboratory Hub (SEGLH), based at Guy's Hospital.

The successful candidate will be appointed to a joint role between the Monogenics and the Preimplantation Genetic Testing of Monogenic disorders (PGT-M) team.

The Monogenics team comprises core and specialist services in the SEGLH hub laboratory.

The PGT-M team provides testing of monogenic disorders in embryos. The Centre for PGT at Guy's is an integrated service provided alongside Clinical Genetics and the Assisted Conception Unit (ACU). The centre has established collaborations with other regional centres (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. The preference is for the successful candidate to work according to a hybrid pattern with a least one day onsite, however candidates working fully remotely will be considered.

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 Monogenics team provide single gene testing services including WGS, and there is active cross-training between other service groups in Genetics to ensure scientists achieve competency in both SNV and CNV data interpretation. Scientists are expected to contribute in one or more rare disease areas and to work with members of the clinical, scientific and technical teams to deliver a high-quality laboratory diagnostic service including participation at MDTs. Data analysis is fully supported by the Bioinformatics team that is embedded within the Genetics department. The Monogenics scientist team is led by a management group that oversee five sub teams; Core, Cancer, Neurology, Direct Tests and WGS in Monogenics, and in the specialist Skin team. Staff work alongside genomics coordinators who manage lab enquiries and triage new referrals. The scientist team work alongside the technical team who are located in the Genetics Laboratories in the Tower Wing at Guy's Hospital.

The PGT-M team is a small scientific and technical team based in the ACU working closely with the Genetics Laboratories. The post holder will also work as part of an MDT 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. The post holder will undertake a range of duties whenever appropriate, including SNP and STR linkage and Sanger sequencing analysis.

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 and be proficient in analysis, interpretation and reporting of genomic data from one or more areas of service including (NGS, Sanger, MLPA, linkage, variant interpretation and genotyping).

They will be given responsibility for areas of service and test development and will be expected to support technical teams for a range of laboratory duties. 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 senior member of the team.

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 both commonly used and specialised techniques for the genetic testing of samples, including troubleshooting. Experience of writing clinical diagnostic reports for patients referred for genomic testing Experience of carrying out/supervising research and development projects.

Desirable

Experience of linkage analysis Laboratory supervisory work Report checking and authorisation Experience of working with a multidisciplinary team Experience of lecturing, teaching and presenting in specialist area

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

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