Medical Technical Officer 1

That's either 2 full days or, if you need it, the flexibility to cover those hours over 3 days per week. That leaves you the rest of the week for charity work, caring responsibilities, or to navigate childcare arrangements such as school drop offs, pick-ups! Not having to worry about fitting all the important stuff around work. Or you might have part time job but are now looking to fill the rest of your week as time allows. Here is an opportunity to return to the Genomics field or use existing skills and apply them in this life changing team. This is a fixed term contract, so a review at the end of the period will take place and an opportunity for you to test the working arrangements out – but it's an arrangement for 12 months if you want it.

You’ll be joining as a Medical Technical Officer 1 in the Preimplantation Genetic Testing of Monogenic disorders (PGT‑M) team at Guy’s Hospital, which provides testing of single gene disorders in embryos. 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.

Main duties of the job

This role will give you the job satisfaction that comes from knowing that no two (or 3) days are the same. You will support the continued provision of service and will perform routine genetic diagnostic tests and associated administration duties, with minimal supervision. Practical experience in a range of laboratory techniques as well as previous experience in a diagnostic laboratory is essential. You will work as part of a technical team under the line management of a Medical Technical Officer 3 and will be expected to collaborate with clinical scientists and technicians from across the Genetics department. As the nature of the job requires, you will be expected to maintain professional competency and dexterity in precision‑based tasks, and maintain the levels of concentration required to maintain quality service.

Overall, you will be involved and responsible for the following, non-exhaustive list:

• Testing samples using molecular biological techniques such as PCR
• Checking the quality of extracted DNA
• To file and retrieve samples
• Undertake routine sample preparation with accuracy and precision
• Preparation of reagents and solutions
• Data entry onto laboratory computer system
• Adherence to the laboratory standard operating procedures
• Strict adherence to the laboratory and Departmental Health & Safety regulations and Codes of Practice

About us

You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through ACCE Competency framework and you'll develop a network and knowledge built on a solid foundation. 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 PGT service has been offered at Guy’s since 1997 and is the largest centre in the UK and one of the most successful in Europe. The lab currently tests for more than 300 genetic diseases. The 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.

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. 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.

Duties and Responsibilities – Technical

• Use laboratory information system according to protocols
• Preparation of reagents and solutions used within the department
• Checking the quality of extracted DNA
• Undertake routine sample preparation with accuracy and precision
• Perform automated and manual processing of specimens which may require a high level of dexterity
• Liaise with technical team members and/or Clinical Scientists regarding technical matters, sample preparation and further tests required
• Responsible for monitoring stock levels / replenishment within department and informing senior staff members of the need to order reagents and consumables
• To file samples following appropriate protocols and keep records as required
• Dispose of clinical samples according to Health and Safety protocol
• Adherence to the laboratory standard operating procedures
• Adherence to the laboratory guidelines for avoiding sample mix‑ups
• Strict adherence to the laboratory and Departmental Health & Safety regulations and Codes of Practice
• To liaise with other members of the team on a regular basis to inform them of the status of laboratory procedures, prioritise samples, and cover for each other on laboratory rotas

Duties and Responsibilities – Administrative

• Assist in ensuring laboratory record keeping is accurate and in compliance with good work practices as required for UKAS ISO15189
• Effective communication with laboratory staff to ensure that specimens are dealt with appropriately and in a timely manner
• Data entry onto laboratory computer system as and when required
• To undertake work to ensure that all results are reported within agreed turnaround times and resolve any problems associated with incomplete results
• To file and retrieve samples and documentation using manual and electronic storage systems
• To recognise when a problem arises and be able to solve basic problems within work area and refer unresolved problems to a more senior member of staff

Duties and Responsibilities – Ethical

• To observe and adhere to local and national health and safety policies
• To maintain good work relations with all members of staff, and to promote effective teamwork
• To treat everyone with courtesy and respect
• To ensure compliance with all local and national standards of work practice e.g. UKAS
• To maintain and promote the professional image of Synnovis and Laboratory Medicine

Duties and Responsibilities – Information Technology

• To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and another laboratory information
• To use the Laboratory Information System according to the authorised protocols
• To maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases

Additional duties and responsibilities

• Undertake mandatory training as required by Synnovis
• Participate in an annual appraisal cycle, and be assessed against competences of the role
• Undertake any other duties appropriate for the job
• Although the Department is based at Guys Hospital, the post holder may be required to work at any other site belonging to Synnovis

Person Specification

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 1.7 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.

Qualifications

• A demonstrable interest in Science or Healthcare
• BTEC or equivalent in an appropriate scientific subject
• BSc (Hons) in relevant scientific discipline or equivalent

Experience

• Previous laboratory experience including use of pipettes
• Experience of handling of clinical samples
• Experience of performing data entry
• Practical experience in a range of laboratory techniques including PCR

Skills & Knowledge

• Numerate and literate with good command of written English
• Knowledge of a range of routine healthcare sciences duties, obtained through a period of training to degree level or equivalent level of knowledge
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Awareness of health & safety issues
• Understanding of turnaround times and prioritisation of work in a diagnostic laboratory

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Salary

Depending on experience, £34,186 to £37,388 per annum (pro rata).