Genomic Associate

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A National Health Service provider in London is seeking a Genomics Associate to enhance genetic counselling services for families, particularly those from diverse backgrounds. The role involves assisting with consent, samples, and communication with patients, while focusing on inclusivity and access to healthcare. Ideal candidates will have a relevant degree and experience in a clinical setting, along with strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Experience managing information systems and developing databases.
• Ability to keep sensitive and confidential information.
• Experience in a clinical/medical NHS setting is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate collection of information, consent, samples, and test results.
• Communicate with patients through various channels.
• Serve as a point of contact for health professionals regarding genetics services.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Ability to communicate in Urdu or Bengali

Empathy

Education

Degree in Genetics, Biological Sciences, or Nursing

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Power Point

Job description

Job summary

The Genomics Associate will be based in the Clinical Genetics Unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital and will work alongside clinical geneticists, genetic counsellors, midwives and other colleagues to provide enhanced contact pre-and post- clinic. This includes enhanced contact prior to and at the point of referral and after genetic testing and counselling to check understanding, expectations, language needs, questions and misconceptions. The Genomic Practitioner will also help to facilitate access to the service, particularly amongst marginalised communities and families who are difficult to engage.

Main duties of the job

The role is responsible for facilitating the collection of information, consent, samples and test results to enable genomic counselling and testing for patients with rare diseases and their family members. Working within the clinical genetics department, the role will involve communicating with patients and their families directly by phone, video call and face to face to facilitate the diagnosis of decision making around genetic and genomic conditions.

The Genomics associate will be a point of contact for midwives, GPs, health visitors and other health and care professionals regarding access to genetics services for families of Pakistani and South Asian heritage and will become an expert in this area. This role is part of a National Strategy, funded by NHS England, to enhance services for families of Pakistani heritage in high need areas and will link closely with the Clinical lead (Equality, ethnicity, genetics) for NHS England as well as equivalent posts in other areas of high need nationally.

About us

We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as the communities we serve, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, people with a disability, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By growing an ever more diverse workforce, we'll have a greater range of perspectives and knowledge, meaning that we can provide the children and young people at our hospital with even better care.

Our hospital is committed to creating an environment that is open and inclusive. Our staff are encouraged to engage with colleagues through the following networks: REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities & Leveraging Disabilities Network), PRIDE and Women's networks; all of which are sponsored by a member of our Executive Management Team.

We want to ensure that all of our people, regardless of their background, are seen and heard. We want to attract applicants that share our commitment to inclusion and that understand diversity is a strength that is embraced and valued.

Job responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required.

Person Specification

Culture and Values

• Our Always values
• Experience of working as part of a diverse team
• Experience of contributing to an inclusive workplace culture

Academic/Professional qualification/Training

• Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline (e.g. Genetics, Biological Sciences, Nursing)

Experience/Knowledge

• Experience of managing information systems and developing databases and spreadsheets
• Ability to communicate in another relevant language (e.g. Urdu or Bengali)

Desirable

• Experience of working in a clinical/medical NHS setting
• Experience of discussing sensitive and confidential information with patients
• Knowledge of Genetics
• Knowledge of the work of Clinical Genetics units

Skills/Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent telephone manner
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Ability to work autonomously with the confidence to take decisions
• Ability to prioritise own workload and work to strict guidelines
• Ability to deal with patients in a sensitive and empathetic manner
• Good awareness of own limitations and when to escalate issues
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to generate own routine correspondence
• Ability to use MS Word, Excel and Power Point, as well as ability to learn to use local patient information systems
• The ability to focus and concentrate on a task

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.