Associate Genetic Technologist - Band 4

North Bristol NHS Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity at North Bristol NHS Trust for an Associate Genetic Technologist to join a comprehensive laboratory focusing on genetics. You will be involved in various genetic investigations, ensuring quality and accuracy while working with a supportive team in a dynamic environment. This role offers the chance to develop skills within a well-equipped team dedicated to excellence in patient care.

Benefits

On-site, tax-free childcare

Excellent NHS pension benefits

Physical and psychological support services

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Foundation Degree in relevant science subject or equivalent required.
• Experience in laboratory work and Health & Safety practice essential.
• Ability to work with complex genetics analytical equipment is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support under the direction of senior staff.
• Perform basic genetic analyses and process laboratory samples.
• Maintain records and participate in quality assurance procedures.

Skills

Laboratory work

Health & Safety practice

Genetic analytical equipment

IT skills

Complex analytical tasks

Education

Foundation Degree in relevant science subject

Job description

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Job Overview

Associate Genetic Technologist - Band 4 - Permanent

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Associate Genetic Technologist Band 4 to join our large and friendly laboratory, which provides a comprehensive laboratory diagnostic genetics service.

Bristol Genetics Laboratory is part of the South West Genomic Laboratory Hub (SW GLH) which is provided by a partnership between North Bristol NHS Trust and the Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation Trust to deliver centralised genomic analysis for patients with cancer and rare disease throughout the South West region.

We are a large, well-equipped laboratory and duties will include technical investigations for a range of genetics referrals including DNA and RNA extraction, sample processing, and PCR testing.

A good standard of general education, including Science, and laboratory experience are required. All necessary training will be given.

We are a large, well-equipped laboratory and carry out investigations for a range of referrals including prenatal, postnatal and oncology diagnosis.

The successful candidate will be expected to work 37½ hours per week full-time Monday – Friday or Tuesday - Saturday between 08:00-20:00 including participation in weekend and public holiday working on a rota basis.

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Main duties of the job

Applicants are required to work as part of a team to provide a broad range of technical support under the supervision of senior technical staff. The work is varied and includes sample processing (including histological specimens), data entry and Genetic technical processing such as PCR (manual and automated) as well as some basic genetic analysis. The main attribute required is a conscientious and careful approach to technical work.

Working for our organisation

North Bristol NHS Trust is one of the largest healthcare trusts in the South West of England. We provide hospital and community healthcare to people living in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

NBT CARES. It’s a very simple statement; one which epitomises how everybody across our organisation goes the extra mile to ensure our patients get the best possible care.

Caring – because it underpins everything we do for our patients and the way we care for one another.

Ambitious – because it signals that we always want to improve what we do on behalf of our patients and one another

Respectful – because every individual has an important role to play

Supportive – because we’re a team and deliver together

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Staff benefits include access to on-site, tax-free childcare through the Childcare Salary Sacrifice Scheme, an excellent package of pension benefits through the NHS Pension Scheme and teams dedicated to providing our staff with physical, psychological and financial support. For our complete list of staff benefits please visit our website.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Staff

• To assist in the training and teaching of trainee and other junior staff as directed by Scientific staff.
• To participate in staff appraisal according to Trust policies and procedures.
  
  

Laboratory

• To provide technical support for the laboratory under the direction of the technical or scientific leads.
• To perform basic genetic analyses under supervision on patients referred for a range of genetic disorders as directed, to enable reporting time targets to be met.
• To receive and process samples submitted to the Department in accordance with laboratory policies and protocols.
• To analyse the results of tests for which he/she is responsible, recording results on worksheets, on result sheets in patient files, and on the laboratory database.
• To perform automated and manual techniques on diagnostic test samples in acccordance with Departmental Standard Operating Procedures including quality assurance
• To provide technical support for research and development projects as required.
• To generate internal reports for basic test results, prior to checking and authorisation by appropriate Scientific Staff.
• To participate in risk management of the department including error reporting.
• To participate in work rotation as required, in order to cover a range of disorders and all techniques employed in the department.
• To personally organise allocated work.
• To maintain a high level of professional competence in the performance of all tests and investigations carried out in the section.
• To accurately prepare, maintain and document adequate supplies of reagents and consumables.
• To ensure the efficient and safe use of consumables within own working area.
• To be responsible for the day to day maintenance and cleanliness of the equipment with which he/she is working.
• To participate in internal and external quality control procedures.
• To participate in quality assurance procedures, including maintenance records and corrective actions.
• To participate in audit as required, relating to numbers and failure rates of tests.
• Work in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures developed for use in the Department. Assist in the development and review of these as required.
• To abide by all Codes of Practice, Safety Regulations, statutory requirements and operational policies of the department and the service.
• To perform other duties as appropriate to the grade and as requested by senior scientific staff
  
  

Communication

• To communicate with other members of the technical team to provide effective cover for work.
  
  

IM&T

• To assist, as is necessary, in recording and maintaining all necessary manual and computerised records of the Department
• To use automated analysis equipment and software packages
  
  

Professional

• To participate in continued professional development, by attending in-house or external training sessions as appropriate, and maintaining personal training records as required.
• To participate in any national technical training initiatives as appropriate.
  
  

Person specification

Education and Training

Essential criteria

• Foundation Degree in relevant science subject, Diploma or equivalent
  
  

Work experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of laboratory work
• Experience of the application of Health & Safety practice and quality systems within a laboratory
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Experience of the preparation of samples for analysis, including pre- and post-analytical checking
• Experience of working as a support grade worker in a genetics laboratory
  
  

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Ability to participate in the delivery of staff training
• Ability to work with complex genetics analytical equipment and automated software
• IT and keyboard skills
  
  

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.

If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel [phone].

North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.

At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT’s workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.