Senior Genetic Technologist

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.

Job Responsibilities:

• Line management of more junior staff, including 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
• 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
• Support technical staff to keep a continued professional development (CPD) record
• Create and update Standard Operating Procedures, training forms and H&S related forms in line with ISO 15189
• Partake in the laboratory audit schedule, including ad hoc audits as required
• 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
• Be competent and act as an expert in a number of technical areas within the team
• 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
• Monitor laboratory stock levels and oversee the ordering process
• Involvement in service development and/or project work where appropriate

Person Specification:

• Qualifications: BSc (Hons) in relevant scientific discipline or equivalent
• Experience: 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
• Skills & Knowledge: Numerate and literate with good command of spoken and written English, excellent communication skills, 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