Associate Practitioner (NHS AfC: Band 4) - Clinical Services - The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation[...]

Royal Marsden; London; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a laboratory support role within Clinical Genomics, focusing on efficient sample collection and data management. Candidates should have relevant academic qualifications, particularly in Biological Science, and exhibit strong IT and organizational skills. This position is integral to maintaining high standards in cancer diagnostics and offers a dynamic working environment with a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Learning and development opportunities

Clear career pathways

Qualifications

• Experience in a relevant laboratory setting preferred.
• Willing to undergo relevant training for sample handling.
• Good understanding of task prioritisation.

Responsibilities

• Collect various biological samples while maintaining audit trails.
• Process and log samples with accuracy and compliance to standards.
• Rotate through laboratories to support diagnostic services.

Skills

Intermediate IT skills

Data entry accuracy

Ability to collect biological samples

Knowledge of medical terminology

Education

BSc in Biological Science

GCSE in Mathematics

A levels including a science subject

Job description

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.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will support scientific teams in the provision of a timely and efficient accredited Clinical Genomics Service. The post holder must be able to take responsibility for working alone and as part of a team to achieve necessary performance levels. The post-holder will be expected to work within Cancer Diagnostics Central Reception and all areas of Clinical Genomics (both Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics) to perform laboratory support duties, with minimal supervision. The major focus of the role will be in sample collection, data entry, sample prioritisation and distribution.

In addition the post holder will be required to rotate through the Clinical Genomics laboratories to perform laboratory support duties. Such duties will include specimen processing, data entry of requests, cell culturing processes, preparing slides for FISH analysis, preparation of FFPE slides for tumour assessment and macrodissection, DNA/RNA/ctDNA extraction, equipment maintenance tasks and supporting scientists in providing a reliable and accurate diagnostic service.

The post holder will be expected to assist in 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, audits, clerical duties and participate in the departments 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 on-going achievements.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more information please refer to the job description and personal specification

• To collect different types of biological samples from the main Pathology laboratories, minor procedures, theatres and switchboard during the day, including late samples, and maintaining all relevant audit trails.

• To receive and check samples from referral hospitals, laboratories and wards. To verify ID against request form and liaise with appropriate staff where errors or omissions exist. To log samples on the audit trail.

• To safely deal with high risk samples according to policy.

• To prioritise samples according to SOPs and laboratory requirements.

Person specification

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to write clearly
• Evidence of intermediate IT skills and data entry accuracy
• GCSE in Mathematics
• Ability to collect & distribute biological samples across the Sutton hospital site
• Knowledge of medical terminology

Personal Qualities

• Ability to undertake a support role
• Able to follow written instructions including SOPs

Specific Experience

• Good education to include A levels, including a science subject
• A recognised qualification in Maths & English
• Willing to undergo relevant training
• Experience of working within a relevant laboratory
• Experience & knowledge of duties required to support senior staff gained by experience in a similar role
• Able to understand and follow SOPs
• Awareness that role involves handling of biological samples and willingness to be trained in this area
• Awareness of and ability to follow laboratory H&S practice for handling pathological specimens or willingness to undergo training in this area
• Good understanding of task prioritisation & demonstration of practice
• Basic understanding of quality management & experience of delivering good quality of service
• BSc degree in Biological Science
• Knowledge of theory & practice of laboratory techniques

The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented 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.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.

All applicants will be contacted by email to the address supplied on your application. Applicants are advised to check their email accounts regularly and to ensure that email filters are set to allow our emails.

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 upmost 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.

Employer certification / accreditation badges