Senior Genetic Technologist

Synnovis Group; London Borough of Southwark; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Synnovis Analytics in London seeks an experienced MTO3/Senior Genetic Technologist to lead the Prenatal and Reproductive Genomics Team and support related diagnostic services at Guy's Hospital.

The post holder will manage technical workloads, ensure quality service provision, and collaborate across teams. Strong communication, initiative, and CPD orientation are essential as the lab modernises within the NHS network.

Qualifications

• Essential: Numerate and literate with good command of spoken and written English.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to convey complex information accurately.
• Demonstrates IT proficiency.
• Good coordination for the performance of analytical techniques.
• Works systematically, under pressure in a busy environment.
• Ability to plan and prioritise allocated work.
• Ability to work independently using initiative as well as collaboratively as part of a team.
• Desirable: Knowledge of genetic diseases and medical terminology.

Responsibilities

• Line management of junior staff and performance review meetings.
• Participate in recruitment activities including shortlisting and interviewing.
• Create and update Standard Operating Procedures, training forms and H&S related forms in line with ISO 15189.
• Monitor turnaround times and service performance via monthly OPMS figures.
• Perform analytical duties and provide technical cover for multiple genetic tests.
• Provide troubleshooting support and liaise with technical staff and lab managers.

Skills

Excellent communication

IT proficiency

Coordination skills

Planning and prioritising

Independent working

Education

BSc (Hons) in relevant scientific discipline or equivalent

AHCS registration (or working towards this)

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 Genomic Medicine Service (SEGMS), based at Guy's Hospital. The post holder (MTO3 / Senior Genetic Technologist) will support our Prenatal and Reproductive Genomics Service, which covers a range of processes including our karyotyping, chromosome breakage and QF-PCR diagnostic services. Some work within the related Developmental Disorders Genomics Service, which administers our SNP array service may also be required as the two teams are becoming more closely aligned.

The successful applicant will be a dedicated and enthusiastic individual with knowledge of the Prenatal and Reproductive technical processes and experience of analysing the results of one or more diagnostic genetic tests. The postholder will manage a team of technical staff and be responsible for the organisation and monitoring of technical workloads and several technical processes. The postholder will work closely with Technical staff, Clinical Scientists and Lab Managers within the Prenatal and Reproductive Genomics Team and across the Department to ensure quality service provision. This postholder will work closely with the Developmental Disorders team, and will be expected to support and take part in activities in both teams. Applicants should have exceptional communication skills, demonstrate initiative, support continual quality improvement and be able to prioritise workloads in line with service needs with support from the PreRep and Developmental Disorders Laboratory Manager. The role requires consistent attention to detail and excellent organisational skills.

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced technician to step into a management and service improvement role; applications are encouraged from technicians with significant knowledge and experience of a clinical genomics diagnostic laboratory who wish to develop their skills and explore new challenges.

About us

The successful candidate will be joining an accredited and fully integrated genomics department with more than 200 staff and with 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 GMS 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 the GSTfT Biomedical Research Centre, the Genomics Innovation Unit and the GSTfT Assisted Conception Unit for Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT).

Details

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 6

Salary: Depending on experience £47,950 to £56,863 per annum

Contract: Fixed term, 15 months

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: VIS8726

Closing date: 03 November 2026

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

Job responsibilities

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.

Managerial and Supervisory responsibilities:

1. Staff management

• Line management of more junior staff, as appropriate, including but not limited to; sickness absence return to work meetings and performance review meetings.
• Participate in recruitment activities including shortlisting and interviewing.
• Chair/minute section meetings as/when appropriate.
• Responsible for technical staff timetabling, ensuring that all duties are covered and technical processes run smoothly.

2. Training

• Responsible for the coordination and provision of training for staff within sections under management.
• Ensure Training Forms and Competency records are kept up to date.
• Act as a Medical Technical Lead as part of the learning and development management team working together to improve the values, behaviour and technical skills of staff.
• Support technical staff to keep a continued professional development (CPD) record, helping identify opportunities for development in line with individual needs and providing templates and short presentations at General Laboratory meetings.

3. Documentation

• Create and update Standard Operating Procedures, training forms and H&S related forms in line with ISO 15189, using the in-house quality management system (Q-Pulse).
• Partake in the laboratory audit schedule, including ad hoc audits as required.
• Management of the asset module to ensure equipment records are up to date.
• Involved in monitoring turnaround times and service performance through generation of the monthly operational performance management system (OPMS) figures.

4. Analytical duties

• Perform a significant amount of analysis in one or more tests to support the team(s) in achieving target turnaround times.
• Add reports for cases analysed to the laboratory information management system ready for authorising.

5. Technical duties

• Be competent and act as an expert in a number of technical areas within the team. Provide technical cover for these areas.
• Provide assistance, advice, and trouble‑shooting support to technical staff within the team.
• Arrange engineer visits in the event of equipment breakdown and for preventative maintenance.
• Ensure all tasks are carried out according to SOPs and good laboratory practice.
• Identify and highlight any risk areas/protocols and areas for improvement.
• Where appropriate, investigate errors, carry out root cause analysis and document and implement actions.
• Monitor laboratory stock levels and oversee the ordering process.
• Involvement in service development and/or project work where appropriate.

6. Other

• Perform mandatory training as required by Synnovis in a timely fashion.
• Participate in annual performance reviews.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential: BSc (Hons) in relevant scientific discipline or equivalent

Desirable: AHCS registration (or working towards this)

Experience

Essential:

• Experience of handling human DNA or tissue samples
• Practical experience in a range of cytogenetic or molecular genetic techniques in a diagnostic setting
• Experience of analysing genetic results

Desirable:

• Experience of writing diagnostic reports
• Experience of Prenatal and Reproductive technical work
• Line management experience
• Experience in troubleshooting

Skills & Knowledge

Essential:

• Numerate and literate with good command of spoken and written English
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information accurately
• Demonstrates IT proficiency
• Good coordination skills, required for the performance of analytical techniques
• Works systematically, under pressure in a busy environment
• Ability to plan and prioritise allocated work
• Ability to work independently using initiative as well as collaboratively as part of a team

Desirable:

• Knowledge of genetic diseases and medical terminology

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

Employer name: Synnovis Analytics

Contact: Paul Stevens, Technical Laboratory Manager, [e-mail]

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