Operations Lead

Viapath; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in Greater London is looking for an experienced individual in clinical cytogenetics to join their team. You will lead laboratory operations and contribute to patient care through accurate cytogenetic reporting. The role requires a strong background in Haemato-Oncological cytogenetics, excellent communication skills, and demonstrated team management abilities. Opportunities for continuous development are available, along with a flexible working pattern to support work-life balance.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Generous annual leave entitlement

Ground-breaking development

Support for advanced qualifications

Qualifications

• Experience as a registered clinical scientist with knowledge of Haemato-Oncological cytogenetics.
• Ability to write and authorise clinical diagnostic reports with cytogenetic results.
• Ability to manage effectively in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day laboratory operations in cytogenetics.
• Provide expertise in interpretation and reporting of cytogenetic findings.
• Contribute to the management structure and train less senior team members.

Skills

Clinical cytogenetics

Team management

Communication skills

Training abilities

Laboratory Information Management Systems

Education

HCPC State registration as a Clinical Scientist

PhD or FRCPath Part 1

Job description

Job overview

We are seeking a highly‑motivated and experienced individual in cytogenetics of haematological malignancies to join our team providing a comprehensive genomics service for patients with known or suspected haematological malignancies. Contributing towards patient care by leading day‑to‑day laboratory operations and providing expertise in the interpretation and reporting of cytogenetic findings.

Substantial specialised experience of clinical cytogenetics (in particular for haemato‑oncology referrals), excellent communication skills and a strong work ethic are essential for this role. The post holder will form part of the senior operations team in cytogenetics, enabling the quality‑driven, timely and accurate reporting of complex analyses for rapid patient treatment decisions. This post is onsite; however, we support flexible working patterns and remote working for activities that can be performed off‑site to promote a healthy work / life balance. Applications from those looking to work part‑time will also be considered.

Main duties of the job

The South East Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (SE‑HMDS) currently offers a comprehensive specialist genomics service tailored to the requirements of the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of haematological malignancies. We are the single SIHMDS service for the South East of England, serving a population of over 6 million people across South London and the South East of England. The cytogenetics laboratory currently includes both G‑banded karyotype analysis and FISH studies. With approximately 500 – 700+ suspension FISH analyses being reported each month by the department. Within the SE‑HMDS the cytogenetics service is also complemented by other genomic‑based testing including WGS, SNP‑A, NGS, Q‑PCR and ddPCR. We are actively innovating and evolving our testing repertoire across our integrated service to ensure we support optimum patient care.

• Contribution to the management structure.
• Communication and leadership to less senior members of the team.
• Communication with service users and others within the wider SE‑HMDS service.
• Ensuring work is completed in a timely manner and to standards compliant with ISO 15189:2022.
• Maintenance of advanced knowledge pertaining to the field in order to help direct, provide advice and authorise any cytogenetic findings.
• Cascading of training in analysis and interpretation of routine, and complex cytogenomic results.

Working for our organisation

Working for our organisation fosters a collaborative environment encouraging innovation and continuous improvement.

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 / support for advanced qualifications such as apprenticeships, MScs, Higher Specialised Scientist Training (HSST) and PhDs.

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.

We support flexible working patterns and remote working for activities that can be performed off‑site to promote a healthy work / life balance.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are part of the SE Genomic Laboratory Hub; one of the largest providers of genomic testing in the UK and a national centre for specialist testing for cardiology, gastro‑hepatology, haematology, neurology, respiratory and skin conditions.

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.

The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.

The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.

King’s College Hospital

King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. King’s has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.

Over the last 170 years, King’s has delivered nothing but world‑class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.

Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• HCPC State registration as a Clinical Scientist
• Evidence Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
• PhD / FRCPath Part 1 in relevant subject or willingness to work towards these qualifications.

Desirable criteria

• Willing to work towards higher professional qualification, for example FRCPath Part 2, or working on HSST.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience as a registered clinical scientist with a detailed working knowledge of Haemato‑Oncological cytogenetics.
• Oncological cytogenetics.
• Coaching, co‑ordinating and managing a team.
• Significant experience in and ability to cascade training in analysis, interpretation and technical validation of routine, and complex cytogenomic results.
• Using Laboratory Information Management Systems.
• Maintaining quality systems.
• Experience and competence in writing and authorising clinical diagnostic reports including those with cytogenetic results.

Desirable criteria

• Project management.
• Experience of assay design, evaluation and validation; and translation into diagnostic service.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Awareness and understanding of current trends in cancer genomics.
• Day‑to‑day management of scientific team.
• Ability to troubleshoot and train those who use the Laboratory Information Management Systems.
• Ability to manage effectively in a dynamic environment with multiple conflicting priorities.
• Ability to translate complex information to colleagues at all levels including colleagues, clinicians and external parties.
• Ability to effectively manage own time, able to prioritise work for self and study.

Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.

For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.

All employees are entitled to :

• Contributory pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Ground‑breaking development.

Opportunities

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.