Genetic Technologist (Band 5)

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

Job summary

A major healthcare provider in the South West is seeking a Genetic Technologist to join a vibrant team at the Bristol Genetics Laboratory. The role involves performing genetic analyses and supporting laboratory functions under experienced staff. Candidates should possess a degree in a relevant science and have practical skills in laboratory genetics. This is a full-time position with flexible hours between Monday and Saturday.

Benefits

Access to on-site, tax-free childcare

Excellent NHS pension benefits

Physical, psychological, and financial support services

Qualifications

• Candidates must have experience in laboratory work.
• Registration as a Genetic Technologist is desirable.
• Must possess good technical knowledge and awareness of quality assurance.

Responsibilities

• Perform genetic analyses on patient samples.
• Assist in technical support for laboratory functions.
• Communicate effectively within the technical team.

Skills

Good practical skills in laboratory genetics

Good organizational skills

Good communication skills

Good technical knowledge of methods used in laboratory genetics

Evidence of good IT skills

Education

Degree in relevant science subject

Tools

Automated laboratory equipment

Job description

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Job Overview

Bristol Genetics Laboratory, South West Genomics Laboratory Hub ( SWGLH) Southmead Hospital, Bristol

Genetic Technologist - Band 5 - Permanent

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Genetic Technologists (Band 5), to join our large, friendly and well-equipped laboratory, which provides a comprehensive laboratory diagnostic genetics service.

Successful applicants will be required to work as part of a team and undertake scientific and technical duties covering a wide range of analytical techniques under the supervision of senior technical and scientific staff.

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

The successful candidate will be expected to work either 30 or 37½ hours per week full-time (or part-time hours as arranged) between 07:00 – 20:00 either Monday - Friday or Tuesday - Saturday including participation in out of hours working on weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis. Exact working pattern will be confirmed on offer of employment.

The interview for this position will be an assessment centre format. It will be face to face to allow us to assess practical skills, remote interviews will not be accepted.

To understand more about Pathology at North Bristol, check out our video.

Main duties of the job

Successful applicants will be required to work as part of a team and undertake scientific and technical duties covering a wide range of analytical techniques under the supervision of senior scientific and technical staff. This may involve working in a technical team undertaking both technical and analytical tasks or within the scientific teams undertaking purely analytical tasks.

The candidate may assist in providing technical support in order to introduce new developments in disease diagnosis, under supervision from technical and scientific staff.

The candidate will also undertake clerical and administrative duties as required to support the service.

Applicants will be expected to possess a degree in a relevant science-based subject including experience of laboratory work. Registration as a Genetic Technologist or equivalent is desirable and successful applicants will be expected to work towards registration. BGL is committed to the provision of high quality staff training at all levels.

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

See full Job Description attached

Staff

• To assist in the supervision, training and teaching of trainee and other junior staff as directed by Scientific staff.
  
  

Laboratory

• To provide technical support for the laboratory under the direction of senior genetic technologists and/or the Head of Section.
• To perform genetic analyses on patients referred for a wide range of genetic disorders as directed by a registered clinical scientist, 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/interpret on a first line basis 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 carry out technical developments in conjunction with scientific staff, to introduce new techniques into the diagnostic service, so that new tests can be made available.
• To provide technical support for research and development projects as required.
• 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 be responsible for the day to day maintenance and cleanliness of the equipment with which he/she is working.
• To participate in quality assurance procedures, including maintenance records and corrective actions.
• Assist in the development and review of these as required.
  
  

Communication

• To communicate with other members of the technical and scientific teams 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 take all necessary steps to achieve and maintain Registration on the voluntary register and on Health Professions register for genetics technologists when available
  
  

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree in relevant science subject or equivalent
  
  

Work Experience

Essential criteria

• Good practical skills in laboratory genetics
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Experience of staff training and supervision
• Experience of automated laboratory equipment relevant to genetics
  
  

Knowledge Skills And Experience

Essential criteria

• Good Organisational Skills/Good Communication Skills
• Good technical knowledge of methods currently used in laboratory genetics
• Evidence of good IT skills and experience with laboratory software systems
• Awareness of quality assurance relevant to genetics
• Ability to manage stock levels of consumables and reagents
  
  

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.