Medical Technical Officer

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in London seeks an experienced technician for its Genetics Service at Guy's Hospital. The role involves preparing DNA and tissue samples, performing SNP array processing, and ensuring high-quality laboratory standards. Ideal candidates will have a BSc in a relevant discipline and demonstrate strong attention to detail and excellent communication skills. This is a full-time, permanent position offering a salary range of £37,259 to £45,355 per annum.

Benefits

Access to learning and development programs

Opportunities for advanced qualifications

Qualifications

• Experience of handling clinical samples in a diagnostic setting.
• Practical experience in a range of laboratory techniques.

Responsibilities

• Perform SNP array processing and PCR.
• Prepare and analyse DNA and tissue samples.
• Write reports and ensure quality control.

Skills

Attention to detail

Good communication

Dexterity and hand-eye coordination

Ability to work under pressure

Education

BSc in a relevant scientific discipline

Job description

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and experienced technician to join our comprehensive Genetics Service at the South East Genomics Laboratory Hub (SEGLH), based at Guy's Hospital. The post holder (MTO2 / Lead Technician) will work between our Prenatal and Reproductive and Developmental Disorders technical teams, which deliver a wide range of tests including QF-PCR for rapid aneuploidy diagnosis, karyotype-based tests and SNP array. Initial training may be in either team, depending on the experience of the successful applicant in addition to service need at the time.

The post holder will ensure standards as required by ISO15189 are maintained and undertake routine and complex laboratory duties such as prenatal sample preparation, PCR set up and capillary-based electrophoresis, cell culture, slide making and using automated liquid handling robotics to generate high quality data as part of the SNP array process. The role will include the analysis of genetic tests and report writing using standard report templates. There will be a range of other routine tasks including general laboratory housekeeping duties, audits and SOP maintenance.

The post holders are expected to maintain professional competency and dexterity in precision based tasks, and maintain the levels of concentration required to maintain quality service.

Pay scheme: Agenda for change. Band: Band 5. Salary: Depending on experience £37,259 to £45,355 per annum. Contract: Permanent. Working pattern: Full‑time.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will be a dedicated and enthusiastic individual with experience in the preparation and processing of human DNA and tissue samples in a diagnostic setting. Attention to detail, excellent communication and the ability to prioritise work in a busy environment are all essential qualities for recruitment to this post. The post holder will work closely with all team members within the Prenatal and Reproductive and Developmental Disorders Genetics teams, Laboratory Managers and may also collaborate with other staff across the Department to ensure quality service provision.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced technician who wishes to progress in their career as a Genetic Technologist in the field of Genetics.

Job location: Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT.

About us

The Genetics laboratories are part of Synnovis Analytics and are located within the Guy's Hospital site. The Genetics department is made up of more than 120 staff and has close links to Clinical Services throughout Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTfT) and St George's Hospital Foundation Trust. With our partner laboratories, the GLH for the South East region provides a comprehensive genomics service for a population of 8 million which includes specialist germline and cancer tests and a class‑leading whole exome sequencing service. The laboratory works collaboratively with other pathology disciplines and research groups such as GSTfT Biomedical Research Centre and Genomics Innovation Unit and the GSTfT Assisted Conception Unit for Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis.

Your development and learning

You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through the Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding or support for advanced qualifications.

Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.

Job responsibilities

• Performing SNP array processing, PCR, prenatal and solid tissue sample preparation, cell culture, harvesting, slide making and G banding. Analyse data and write reports as directed in collaboration with clinical scientist colleagues.
• Perform automated, semi-automated and manual processing of specimens which may require a high level of dexterity.
• Analysis and reporting of results requiring exceptional attention to detail.
• Ensure quality control measures are carried out to monitor analytical performance, take corrective action where applicable and report any failures to a senior member of staff.
• Adherence to the laboratory standard operating procedures.
• Strict adherence to the laboratory and Departmental Health & Safety regulations and Codes of Practice.
• Undertake work to ensure that all results are reported within agreed turnaround times and resolve any problems associated with incomplete results.

At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world‑leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose‑built, state‑of‑the‑art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites; however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.

Person Specification

Qualifications – Essential

• BSc in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent.

Qualifications – Desirable

• AHCS Practitioner or BMS registration.

Experience – Essential

• Experience of handling clinical samples.
• Practical experience in a range of laboratory techniques.

Experience – Desirable

• Previous work within a genetics laboratory.
• Previous experience in analysing genetic results.
• Previous experience in report writing.

Skills & Knowledge – Essential

• Knowledge of a range of routine healthcare sciences duties, obtained through a period of training to degree level or equivalent level of knowledge.
• Good coordination skills with good dexterity and hand‑eye coordination required for the performance of analytical techniques.
• Numerate and literate with good command of spoken and written English.
• Knowledge and understanding of the role of Pathology Laboratories in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
• Able to communicate information accurately.
• Ability to work systematically and under pressure in a busy environment.
• Ability to work unsupervised when required.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Good computer keyboard skills.
• Awareness of health & safety issues.
• Ability to plan and prioritise allocated work.

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.

Employer details

Synnovis Analytics

Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT

Website: http://www.synnovis.co.uk/