Job summary
Employer heading
Senior Genetic Technologist - Band 6
Band 6
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Job overview
Bristol Genetics Laboratory, South West Genomics Laboratory Hub ( SWGLH) Southmead Hospital, Bristol
Senior Genetic Technologist - Band 6 - Substantive
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Genetic Technologist (band 6) at Bristol Genetics Laboratory (BGL). The successful candidates will join the team leading our NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing) services, responsible for efficient operations as well as the implementation of new services and improvements.
BGL 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 candidates will be expected to work 37½ hours per week full-time, or part time hours as arranged, including participation in weekend and Bank Holiday rotas.
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This advert may close early, if we have received a sufficient amount of applications. Therefore you are highly advised to apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this position.
Main duties of the job
We are a large, well-equipped laboratory with an extensive repertoire of tests. The successful candidate will participate in the supervision and day to day management of technical functions within the department. This will include staff supervision and training, equipment maintenance, procurement and asset management and technology evaluation/development. The successful candidate will work under the overall supervision of senior technical staff although a considerable degree of personal autonomy and responsibility is expected.
Applicants will be expected to hold a biological/biomedical science degree and have evidence of extensive experience of laboratory work in a diagnostic genetics laboratory, encompassing a wide range of practical laboratory techniques. Experience of Specimen Reception and/or Extraction is highly desirable. They should be enrolled on or eligible for enrolment on to the accredited voluntary register for Genetic Technologists or equivalent. Experience of training and supervision of other staff is essential, as are excellent IT and communication skills.
The specific duties and area of work will be agreed with the successful candidates on appointment.
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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
Please see the full job description attached.
6.1 Staff
The postholder will be responsible for their own work and that of other technical staff, including preparing and monitoring staff rotas, under the overall direction of senior staff,
They will participate in the supervision, training and teaching of Genetic Technologists, Clinical Scientists and other staff as appropriate, participating in staff appraisal and recruitment.
6.2 Laboratory
To provide and supervise technical support for the laboratory including arranging cover for staff absence.
To receive and process samples submitted to the Department in accordance with laboratory policies and protocols.
To perform genetic analyses, and to present the results to appropriate scientists for checking, interpretation and reporting.
To participate in record keeping processes, both electronic and paper based and to assist with retrieval and presentation of data as required, including using databases and spreadsheets
To participate in risk management of the department including reporting of adverse incidents.
To maintain a high level of professional competence in the performance of all tests and investigations carried out.
To ensure the efficient and safe use of consumables within own working area.
To be responsible for the evaluation, day-to-day maintenance and cleanliness of laboratory equipment.
To ensure smooth running of the techniques within area of responsibility and take appropriate steps and trouble shoot as required to maintain and improve quality
To participate in quality assurance procedures in accordance with the laboratory quality procedures.
To assist in research and development projects as required.
Work in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures developed for use in the Department. Participate in the development and review of these as required.
To be responsible for the stock control and ordering of reagents and consumables as appropriate.
6.3 Communication
Communicate with a range of people including laboratory staff of all grades/roles - within the department and pathology at North Bristol Trust and other laboratories – suppliers, sales representatives and engineers as required.
Liaise with scientific staff regarding technical matters appropriateness of tests, results and further tests required.
To be point of contact for company representatives
To promote effective team working
Involvement in challenging technical conversations with support from senior staff
6.4 IM +T
To be competent in using the department computer system
To be competent in use of common IT packages
To be competent in the use of specialist analysis software
To be competent in the use of online procurement systems e.g. EROS
6.5 Professional
To take all necessary measures to acquire, improve and apply skills and expertise necessary to perform the duties of the job to a high level of quality, reliability and efficiency. This will include participation courses and further training as required or directed
To take all necessary steps to achieve and maintain enrolment on the accredited voluntary register of Genetics Technologists (or equivalent registration scheme e.g., IBMS)
6.6 Equipment
In conjunction with senior staff contribute to the validation, procurement and introduction of new equipment/technologies.
Be responsible for/to delegate as appropriate the management, maintenance and procurement of all laboratory equipment and documentation associated with this including:
Organising and maintaining equipment logs
Organising decontamination logs and ensuring their completion
Organising timely and appropriate external repair and maintenance (e.g. via the manufacturer)
Undertaking timely and appropriate internal repair and maintenance (e.g. via the works department or Clinical Engineering) and ensuring appropriate stocking of parts for this
Devising safe and efficient systems of work with equipment
Assisting with the negotiation of appropriate maintenance contracts
Assisting with the evaluation of specifications and tenders for new equipment
6.7 Special Duties and Responsibilities
The post holder will act as technical lead for a specified area of work under the overall direction of the technical leads. Duties will include:
Management of technical workload, including priority setting and staff management
Management of equipment, consumables and technical procedures including troubleshooting, liaising with the technical lead as required.
Development of automation and new procedures as required.
Person specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Degree in biological science or equivalent
Desirable criteria
- Enrolled on or eligible for enrolment on to accredited voluntary genetic technologists register or equivalent
Work Experience
Essential criteria
- Evidence of extensive experience of laboratory work in an NHS diagnostic genetics laboratory, encompassing a range of practical laboratory techniques and experience with relevant automated equipment.
- Experience of training and managing technical and/or other staff
- Experience of managing reagent and consumables supplies to appropriate levels and within financial control
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Essential criteria
- Ability to evaluate, use, maintain and troubleshoot specialist laboratory equipment in use in the department.
- Knowledge of Health and Safety and Quality Assurance relevant to a diagnostic Genetics laboratory
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Jennifer Glauert
- Job title
- Technical Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
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