Pre-Registration Trainee Clinical Scientist

Job overview

We are seeking two proactive individuals with significant experience of diagnostic rare disease genomic laboratory techniques to join the Rare and Inherited Disease Genomics Laboratory at Great Ormond Street Hospital as Pre-registration (trainee) Clinical Scientists in Genomics.

You will work under supervision in the core+ and prenatal scientific teams undertaking analytical and reporting work as required in the support of a genomic testing services. The core+ and prenatal teams cover molecular and cytogenetic testing for genomic diseases as specified in the National Genomic Test Directory.

You must have a sound knowledge of clinical diagnostic genetics / genomics and must undertake to acquire the knowledge and skills required to develop a portfolio for assessment and obtain clinical scientist HCPC registration. Hands on experience in an accredited diagnostic rare disease genomics laboratory, good communication skills and attention to detail are essential.

Main duties of the job

The Rare Disease Laboratory has an establishment of approximately 180 including technologists, clinical scientists, translational scientists, bioinformaticians and administrative support staff. Along with two Clinical Genetics teams we form a strategic Genetics Unit within the hospital and provide North London with a Regional Genetics Service serving a population of approximately 10 million.

Having been awarded 11 specialisms in the NHSE Genomic Medicine Service, the rare disease laboratory provides an in-house diagnostic service for molecular and cytogenetic testing in accordance with the NHS England Genomic Test Directory. Testing is provided for both prenatal and postnatal samples using Next generation sequencing, SNP microarray, karyotyping, FISH, MLPA, qPCR, ddPCR, NIPD and other targeted tests. We are also engaged in the delivery of the NHSE GMS Whole Genome Sequencing programme for our North Thames patients and specialist WGS for larger areas of England.

We are involved in a number of collaborative research and development projects with colleagues at the UCL Institute of Child Health and Institute of Neurology as part of the UCL Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre.

Working for our organisation

GOSH is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role; through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination.

We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability status or length of time spent unemployed.
We particularly welcome applications from BAME communities, people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions and LGBT+ community members.

We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and consistently. We are proud to be accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, a member of Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

We have active and Executive supported BAME, LGBT+ and Allies, Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions and Women’s staff networks.

Staff networks are employee-led groups formed around interests, issues and a common bond or background. Staff network members create a positive and inclusive work environment at Great Ormond Street Hospital by actively contributing to the Trust’s mission, values and efforts specific to inclusion. All of our staff networks are open to any employee

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below

Essential criteria

• GOSH Values
• Knowledge and Understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives
• Understanding of Diversity and Inclusion challenges in the workplace
• Demonstrable contribution to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Essential criteria

• First or Second Class Degree in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry or related subject

Desirable criteria

• Postgraduate qualification in Genomics

Essential criteria

• Extensive postgraduate experience in a NHS rare disease genomics laboratory
• Extensive knowledge of clinical genomics and a demonstrable track record in the delivery of a diagnostic service
• Knowledge of structural chromosome rearrangements and segregation, CNV analytical methods and clinical applications OR Knowledge and experience of molecular variant classification in accordance with ACGS guidance and their application for all modes of inheritance
• Experience with laboratory information and quality management systems

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of supervising/training other staff
• Track record of scientific Publications/ presentations

Essential criteria

• Good organisational and interpersonal skills. Willing to adapt to changes in workflow and organisation
• Computer literate, including use of Genetic databases, analytical software, variant classification
• Able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing (by email and by appropriate documentation)
• Able to write protocols

Desirable criteria

• Background in cytogenetic and molecular procedures
• Skilled in Next Generation Sequencing Applications / Sanger Sequencing and/or genomic CNV analysis by use of G banded chromosomes / FISH / Microarray

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