Job overview

The Genomic Associate will be based in the Clinical Genetics Service at Northwick Park Hospital and will work alongside clinical geneticists, genetic counsellors, laboratory staff and other healthcare professionals to provide enhanced contact with patients at the point of referral, and after genetic testing and counselling, to facilitate the collection of information and obtain consent, where needed. The genomic Associate will also help to facilitate access to the service, particularly amongst marginalised communities and families who are difficult to engage. The post holder will be responsible for requesting test reports, relevant tissue/samples and testing by liaising with laboratories, families, and clinical teams, as well as the tracking of such requests They will keep clinicians and patients updated on progress, highlighting any long waiters.

Under supervision, you will support the team with keeping spreadsheets, databases and portals updated for gene carriers, as well as undertaking regular audit to ensure patients are accepted onto screening programs. They will be responsible for arranging breast screening for those at high risk and keeping spreadsheets/records updated. 

the post holder will support the team with cancer triage by obtaining family history information, entering of data for online cancer risk assessments and generating a risk calculation using that program (e.g. CanRisk) for interpretation and use by genetic counsellors and clinical geneticists.

Main duties of the job

• Contact healthcare professionals, laboratories, and patients to gather referral details, family history, and genetic test reports.

• Provide pre-clinic information, verify consent requirements, and explain the need for relatives’ reports where appropriate.

• Check variant pathogenicity using databases and liaise with laboratories for reviews.

• Track and manage tissue or genetic test requests, keeping clinicians and patients updated on progress or delays.

• Maintain spreadsheets, databases, and screening programme records; complete referral forms under supervision.

• Liaise with screening services, support audits, and respond to information requests from other centres.

• Communicate compassionately with patients and relatives, recognising distress, health literacy needs, or learning difficulties.

• Assist with obtaining blood or saliva samples, support clinicians with documentation, and escalate ethical concerns when needed.

• Collaborate with genetic counsellors, family history coordinators, clinical, and admin teams to ensure seamless patient care.

Working for our organisation

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond.

Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people.

We run major acute services at:

• Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country. The hospital provides a full range of services including the country’s top-rated hyper-acute stroke unit and one of only three hyper-acute rehabilitation units in the UK
• St Mark’s Hospital: an internationally renowned specialist centre for bowel disease
• Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital providing a range of clinical services, as well as 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and specialist care at Meadow House Hospice
• Central Middlesex Hospital: our planned care site, hosting a range of surgical and outpatient services and collocated with an urgent care centre.

We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.