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Job summary

Main area
Genetics
Grade
Synnovis Pay Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
VIS5619
Employer
Synnovis
Employer type
Private Sector
Site
Guy's Hospital
Town
London
Salary
£58,698 to £65,095 per annum depending on experience
Closing
06/05/2024 23:59

Employer heading

Synnovis logo

Deputy Operations Lead for PGT-M

Synnovis Pay Band 8a

The place to work in pathology

We are looking for top talent to join the UK’s leading and fastest growing pathology company – a scientific organisation with a clinical purpose.

Working in partnership with our service partners, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals, King’s College Hospital  and Princess Royal University Hospital we aim to set the standard for the future of pathology.

 


Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the UK’s largest and most influential centres for molecular Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT-M) as a senior scientist. 

The service has over 25 years of experience helping couples who are at risk of having a child with a serious genetic condition.  For eligible couples, PGT is offered as part of specialist IVF.  Embryos created outside of the body and are tested for the genetic condition in the family. Only embryos which are not affected by the genetic condition are placed back into the womb.  We currently test for more than 300 genetic disorders, including: cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and Huntington's disease.

The PGT service operates as a specialist section of the South East Genomics Laboratory Hub working very closely with the GSTT Assisted Conception Unit, Embryology Department and Clinical Genetics at the GSTT centre for PGD.

We are looking to appoint a Principal Clinical Scientist to support the Operations Lead in managing the PGT-M service.  The postholder will have developed their Genomics laboratory skills and theoretical knowledge to a high standard, performing a complex role and continuously developing clinical and scientific practice.

Main duties of the job

A Principal Clinical Scientist is an experienced clinical / scientific / technical professional, who has developed their skills and theoretical knowledge to a very high standard, performing a highly complex role and continuously developing clinical and scientific practice within a defined field.

The post holder will deputise for the PGT-M Operational Lead in his/her absence and will work closely with the staff of the PGD centre regarding appropriate referrals, providing advice on suitability for testing, designing bespoke family assays and supporting the clinical team in describing complex results to patients and at MDTs.

The post holder will be responsible for compiling performance data to ensure the effective running of the service and the interpretation and authorisation of clinical diagnostic reports.

Working for our organisation

The Synnovis Genetics Laboratory has been designated the hub laboratory for the SEGLH Network led by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust to provide the new National Genomic Medicine Service. This network of laboratory providers is responsible for delivering genomic testing to a population of 8.6 million across South London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

The Guys lab provides a wide range of tests for detection of germline and somatic variants using state of the art technologies including next generation sequencing panels, whole exome sequencing and cytogenomics. As the SEGLH hub it provides the majority of rare disease tests and adult solid tumour tests for the SE network and national services for some tests.

The department has a number of ongoing R&D projects and works collaboratively with other groups such as GSTfT Biomedical Research Centre, GSTfT 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 / 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.

Detailed job description and main 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.    To be responsible for the day to day running of the PGT-M Service (hereafter known as the ‘Service’).

2.    To deputise for the lead for PGT-M in his/her absence.

3.    To support for the development and delivery of a clear operational plan for the Service, achieving relevant quality and safety standards and activity levels within budget

4.    To generate monthly OPMS and KPI data for review with the Operations Lead.

5.    To provide the Operational Lead with regular progress reports on the delivery of an accurate, modern and efficient diagnostic Service.

6.    To be responsible for the development and implementation of relevant operating procedures and management policies ensuring that standards are met and are compliant with ISO15189 guidelines.

7.    To be responsible for the quality and efficiency of the Service, through internal quality control, clinical audit, local audit and national audit activities including UK National External Quality Assurance/CEQAS

8.    To be responsible for maintaining and improving turnaround times.

9.    To be responsible for the troubleshooting of analyser/assay failures within the Service in collaboration with the technical leads as required.

10.    To be responsible for ensuring that equipment is maintained to the standards required by the department and by relevant legislation in collaboration with the technical leads as required.

11.    To implement measures for cost improvement and cost effectiveness.

12.    To be proactive in escalating any possible issues that may impact on service delivery to the Operational Lead.

13.    To be responsible for risk assessments relating to all aspects of the Service.

 

Management of Human Resources


1.    To be responsible for the HR management of staff within the Service, including appraisals; sickness absence; disciplinary and grievance matters; personal and career development; departmental workload and allocation.

2.    To recruit and induct new staff.

3.    To manage annual leave for staff within the Service.

4.    To be responsible for the health and safety of staff within the Service, complying with Trust policies and legal regulations.

5.    To be responsible for the training and education needs of staff within the Service in cooperation with the Genetics Training Manager and ensure compliance with National Guidelines and HPC Registration requirements.


Clinical Service Provision

1.    To provide high level expertise in the analysis of samples from patients referred for PGT-M.

2.    To report and authorise complex abnormal patient reports produced from the Service.

3.    To act in an advisory capacity liaising with consultant and other clinical and laboratory staff on further tests and investigations including complementary and multidisciplinary approaches, the appropriateness of tests and recommendations for follow-up testing.

4.    In conjunction with Clinical Leads, to advise on best practice, patient diagnosis and prognosis relating to PGT-M.


Research, Innovation and Development


1.    To participate and supervise the development and application of novel clinically approved tests.

2.    To be actively involved in research projects appropriate to the post.

3.    To  provide  accurate  costings  for  laboratory  processes,  business  cases  and contracts.

4.    To support the Operations lead to produce business cases necessary for development of the service.

5.    Participate in the departmental audit programs, academic seminars, group support meetings and journal clubs.

6.    To participate in the dissemination of research findings through presentations at local, national and international meetings and through publications in scientific journals, as appropriate.


External Duties

1.    Contribute to the development of national policies and best practice standards for the PGT-M Service by undertaking local and national professional roles as appropriate to enhance the profile of the service

2.    Participate in EQA schemes appropriate to the service.

 

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.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Women’s Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Children’s Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guy’s site. 
You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • BSc in appropriate biological science
  • HCPC clinical scientist registration in Genetics
  • FRCPath Part 1. Applicants working towards part 1 or with demonstrable experience of working at the level described in the job description will also be considered
Desirable criteria
  • FRC Path Part 2

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of writing and authorising clinical diagnostic reports for patients referred for PGD-M
  • Experience of genomic laboratory management and supervisory work
  • Wide experience of both commonly used and specialised techniques for the genetic testing of embryos, including troubleshooting
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of lecturing, teaching and presenting in specialist area
  • Experience of carrying out laboratory audits

Skills & Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Up to date knowledge of PGD methodology for human inherited disorders
  • Up to date awareness of HFEA PGD related policies
Desirable criteria
  • Determining the pathogenicity of sequence variants using ACMG guidelines
  • Determining the pathogenicity of genomic copy number variants

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Richard Hall
Job title
SEGLH Operations Director
Email address
[email protected]

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
Synnovis
Open Monday to Friday
9am to 5pm
Telephone
01629 702340
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