Genetic Technologist - Analyst in Sutton

The Royal Marsden has a vital role in championing change and improvement in cancer care through research and innovation, education and leading-edge practice. We are incredibly proud of our international reputation for pushing the boundaries and for our ground breaking work ensuring our patients receive the very best and latest in cancer treatment and care.

Main duties of the job:

• The post holder will undertake analytical and administrative duties required to support the scientific teams in the provision of an effective and high quality molecular diagnostics service to patients. This will require detailed theoretical and practical knowledge.
• They will be responsible for carrying out analytical molecular diagnostics investigations.
• They will collaborate and plan complex activities with other members of the team to achieve an effective and reliable service.
• The post holder will be expected to assist in training of new staff members and visitors as well as to contribute to IT development and data management relating to the technical aspects of the molecular service.
• In addition, the post holder will be required to support activities such as quality, including compliance with laboratory accreditation standards, equipment maintenance and participate in the department’s training programme.

Working for our organisation:

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 ongoing achievements.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• To be responsible for own work and that of junior members of staff under the direction of senior scientific staff/clinical scientist. This will include all aspects of the clinical scientific & technical work, staff, equipment and quality system.
• To ensure the timely and efficient provision of core and technologically complex analytical/diagnostic services, including but not limited to PCR, RQ-PCR, sequencing, NGS and ddPCR analysis.
• To take day to day responsibility for the quality of analytical work produced.
• To ensure that clinical requests are met according to agreed policies on availability of tests and priorities in accordance with user guide.
• To ensure that work is carried out in line with Standing Operational Procedures and/or Departmental policy.
• To monitor quality control of all the tests performed.
• To assist in the preparation of SOPs and other documentation.
• Maintain records, both paper and electronic.
• To ensure that statutory and Trust requirements for record keeping of results are met by validation or verification of reports as required.
• To ensure that quality control tests are conducted and meet required analytical standards.
• Where appropriate implement a remedial action plan in line with SOPs.
• To ensure that all logs (electronic or paper) are maintained.
• To participate in audits as required.

We are seeking an enthusiastic Genetic Technologist Analyst to contribute to the provision of a timely and efficient ISO 15189 accredited Clinical Genomics Service. The post holder will undertake molecular diagnostic analysis, this requires detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of the work area. The range of tests available will be in continuous development and the post-holder will be responsible for the validation and verification of new techniques and tests, including the provision of NGS and ddPCR for molecular diagnostics in haematological and solid tumours.

The post holder will be expected to assist in training of new staff members and visitors as well as to contribute to IT development and data management relating to the technical aspects of the molecular service and therefore needs to be fully IT literate. In addition, the post holder will be required to support activities such as quality, including compliance with laboratory accreditation standards, equipment maintenance and participate in the department’s training programme. Good communication and team working are essential.

The successful applicant must have a relevant BSc degree in Biological Sciences/Genetics. They must have in depth post-graduate experience in molecular diagnostics techniques. Voluntary registration with the Science Council (RSci) is desirable but not essential.

Person specification:

• Ability to write clearly and concisely
• Ability to express themselves clearly
• Ability to use in-house IT systems
• Ability to use Microsoft software or equivalent
• Good interpersonal skills
• Good telephone manner, diplomatic
• Ability to perform complex scientific calculations and data analysis
• Able to take specific responsibilities in an area of defined specialist knowledge
• Able to deal with all simple day to day problems and troubleshooting
• Awareness of organisational and logistical issues

• Evidence of personal development
• Enthusiasm for job and profession
• Self-confident, contributes to laboratory meetings
• Able to work unsupervised
• Flexible approach to work
• Commitment to team working

• BSc degree in Biological Sciences/Genetics
• Evidence of training and knowledge related to specific area
• In depth post-graduate experience related to specific area
• Evidence of post graduate study
• Evidence of CPD
• Experience of working in all areas of relevant diagnostic laboratory
• Able to understand / follow SOPs
• Working towards MSc degree in Biological Sciences / Genetics
• Voluntary registration with the Science Council (RSci) or in process
• Able to perform basic training
• Full understanding of all laboratory H&S procedures
• Able to work to deadlines
• Full understanding of EQA & IQA and their implications
• Ability to take corrective and preventive actions for IQA non-compliances
• Knowledge and understanding of CPA/UKAS standards

• Understanding of relationship between laboratory investigations and clinical practice
• Practical and theoretical knowledge of molecular genetics technologies and their clinical application
• Awareness of clinical significance of laboratory findings and implications for patients
• Ability to extrapolate from basic information to consider additional investigations to perform
• Ability to review anomalous / unexpected findings and take further appropriate action

The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of under-represented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.

Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff:

At The Royal Marsden we have an immune-compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease. The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the utmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.