Clinical Scientist

The Royal Marsden; Sutton Coldfield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cancer treatment center in the UK seeks a skilled professional for their Molecular Diagnostics service. You will provide high-quality diagnostic services, manage junior staff, and utilize complex genetics software. Candidates should have an MSc in biological sciences and experience in molecular diagnostics. Join us to make a meaningful impact on cancer care.

Benefits

Diverse staff benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Flexible working requests

Qualifications

• Experience in molecular diagnostics service delivery.
• Evidence of personal development.
• Able to work unsupervised.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to a timely and efficient Molecular Diagnostics service.
• Perform analysis using complex genetics software.
• Supervise junior staff in the laboratory.

Skills

Clinical report writing

Complex genetics software

Microsoft software

Mathematics qualification

Education

MSc in a biological science or equivalent

Job description

Job overview

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.

Main duties of the job

The main objective of the post holder is to contribute to the provision of a timely and efficient Molecular Diagnostics service within the Clinical Genomics Department, both for internal and external cases. The post holder will perform analysis using complex genetics software and report specialised molecular investigations and manage areas of existing service work in the laboratory, in order to provide an efficient and high quality molecular diagnostic service in haematological and solid tumours. The range of tests available will be in continuous development and the post holder will be responsible for standardisation of new technologies and tests for molecular diagnostics. The post holder is expected to liaise with clinicians, oncologists and histopathologists responsible for treating patients.

They will be involved in the service development and validation, including the implementation of clinical NGS and other protocols for personalised cancer medicine. The post holder will supervise junior staff within the department to ensure the quality of service provision at all times and to ensure compliance with professional standards. In addition the post holder will be required to support activities such as quality management, including compliance with laboratory accreditation standards, training and the department’s translational research programme. There will be occasions when the post holder will have to take sole responsibility for the laboratory work.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To ensure that work is carried out in line with Standard Operating Procedures and or Departmental policy.

To prioritise work on a day to day basis and liaise with service users in order to co-ordinate the service provision.

Supervise the day to day allocation of duties assigned to junior scientists and medical laboratory assistants working in the laboratory.

To participate in the preparation and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and in the review of these protocols when necessary.

Diverse Responsibilities : Your role will involve activities such as quality management, compliance with laboratory accreditation standards, training, and contributing to the department's translational research program.

What We're Looking For

• An MSc in a biological science (or equivalent).
• HCPC state registration or close to registration.
• Considerable experience in molecular diagnostics service delivery.

Why Choose Us

At Royal Marsden's Clinical Genomics Department, you'll be part of a dynamic team committed to pushing the boundaries of cancer diagnostics. We offer an inspiring and collaborative work environment where you'll have the chance to excel in your field and make a significant difference in the lives of cancer patients.

Person specification

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Experience of clinical report writing
• Ability to write clearly and concisely
• Experience in working with complex genetics software
• Competence in use of Microsoft software or equivalent
• Educational qualification in mathematics

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Evidence of personal development
• Self confident, contributes to laboratory meetings
• Able to work unsupervised

Specific Experience

Essential criteria

• MSc degree or equivalent experience
• Evidence of training related to specific area
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Experience of working in all areas of relevant diagnostic laboratory
• Able to write, review and follow SOPs
• Able to perform advanced training and ensuring compliance with professional standards

Desirable criteria

• HCPC registration (Essential for Clinical Scientist appointments)
• Evidence of technological development e.g. NGS for diagnostic and / or clinical trial use

Management experience

Essential criteria

• Ability to manage stock

Desirable criteria

• Ability to manage the specific laboratory areas and related staff on a daily basis

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.

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.

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