Clinical Scientist

Job summary

BAND 7 POST IN CYTOGENETICS / CYTOGENOMICS We have an exciting opportunity for a registered clinical scientist to join our postnatal/reproductive team. We are seeking enthusiastic, self-motivated individuals with strengths in analysing complex data and/or interpreting the significance of results who wish to broaden their experience and develop new skills.

Current STPs and those interested in working towards registration are also encouraged to apply; and applications from scientists from a relevant research/academia background wishing to gain experience in a diagnostic/clinical laboratory will also be considered. HCPC registration is required for appointment to band 7 and other applicants would be considered for appointment at band 6 until registered. The Oxford Genetics Laboratories, part of the Central & South Genomic Laboratory Hub, provide state-of-the-art diagnostic testing for a comprehensive range of molecular and cytogenetic investigations for a number of Specialist and Core Rare Disease services as well as both cytogenetic and molecular services for Haemato-oncology and Solid tumours; including NGS panel analysis and WGS interpretation as determined by the Genomic Test Directory. Alongside this, we are active in research and development, undertaking translational projects and collaborating closely with many of the genetic research leaders in Oxford as well as the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre.

Main duties of the job

Main purpose of the post: To undertake clinical, scientific, technical and managerial duties with a considerable degree of autonomy within a designated section(s) providing a range of highly specialised or complex investigations. To take a high level of responsibility for their own work with ultimate responsibility for quality, accuracy and interpretation of results resting with more senior Clinical Scientists. To communicate complex scientific and technical information and provide highly specialised advice to other health care professionals. To undertake research and service development relevant to the aims of the department and acquire new scientific skills and expertise to maintain the laboratory at the forefront of scientific developments. To participate in the teaching and training of pre-registration clinical scientists and genetic technologists as well as Specialist Registrars and other visitors within the limits of their experience. To supervise junior scientific and technical staff in their day-to-day activities. To rotate between sections to obtain the breadth and depth of experience required at this level and undertake further training and CPD. The full range of duties for this post is documented below. Duties undertaken at a given time will be determined in accordance with the needs of the service.

About us

The Oxford Genetics Laboratories work in partnership with laboratories in the West Midlands and Wessex to form the Central & South Genomic Laboratory Hub (C&SGLH). The Oxford Laboratories are the designated provider of a number of Specialist Rare Disease services including those for Cardiac, Endocrine, Eye Disorders, Haematology, Mitochondrial, Musculoskeletal and Neurology.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. Find out more here www.ouh.nhs.uk

The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical/Scientific:

1. Deliver the clinical service of a section/subsection of the laboratory or designated area of work to nationally accepted standards (CPA/UKAS or equivalent) with appropriate technical support to include the following:
   1. Undertake or supervise the receipt, processing and analysis of samples; and the checking, interpretation and reporting of results (both standard and complex).
   2. Access relevant sources of information to aid interpretation of patient results, including critical appraisal of the information.
   3. Collate patient and clinical information to assist and support future patient management.
   4. Interpret results with advice on further action for patient or family members, including calculation of risk where appropriate, within relevant professional guidelines.
2. Undertake appropriate complex or specialist technical and analytical procedures, as required, to process cells from a variety of biological specimens received which may be high risk (e.g. HIV, Hep C) and/or derived from recognisable human or fetal parts. Work safely under exposure to toxic substances that are hazardous to health (e.g. PHA, colchicine).
3. Undertake extended periods of analysis to identify genomic variation either through analysis of large data sets or examination of cytogenetic preparations.
4. Independently check and validate the analysis findings of other registered scientists, non-registered scientists and genetic technologists, authorising repeat analyses or subsequent investigations in accordance with laboratory protocols. Identify unusual results and bring them to the attention of senior scientists for further discussion.
5. Interpret findings from the range of investigations undertaken on a patient. Undertake detailed literature review and interrogation of databases to investigate the clinical significance of genomic variation detected. Prepare reports with clinical interpretation for final authorisation by Senior Registered Clinical Scientists/Principal Scientists/Consultant Scientists.
6. To authorise specified reports within their area of expertise where deemed competent by the Head of Laboratory under the direction of the Head of Section.
7. Act in an advisory capacity to clinical colleagues on the submission of samples, appropriate tests and in the interpretation of results in designated areas of the service.
8. Under the guidance of the Head of Service, attend appropriate multidisciplinary team meetings on behalf of the service to give professional opinion on clinical cases.
9. Supply a high level of scientific skill and expertise in the investigative procedures involved and take a high level of responsibility for his/her own work, with limited supervision from senior personnel in the laboratory. Be adaptable to changing diagnostic workload pressures, by making independent day-to-day decisions about own workload (e.g. prioritising own diagnostic cases or deciding when to undertake additional investigations). The post holder must communicate with, and when necessary obtain help/advice from, appropriate senior staff.
10. Maintain up to date specialist level knowledge of current scientific literature and information (e.g. Professional Best Practice) for defined services in order to ensure that the designated services are of high quality.
11. Maintain proficiency in the use of complex software for the analysis of genomic samples.
12. Maintain proficiency in the navigation, interrogation and application of all relevant and up to date genome browsers/information databases (e.g. DGV, DECIPHER, Exome Variant Server and Alamut Visual) to assess significance of copy number variants and/or identified mutations and maintain up to date knowledge of scientific and clinical advances in the field.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications, Experience, Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Essential

• Good first degree in Genetics or Biological Science with a genetics component.
• Post graduate professional qualification (Certificate of Competence in Clinical Cytogenetics/STP) or equivalent experience.
• Registration - Clinical Scientist (Clinical Cytogenetics or Genetics).

Desirable

• FRCPath part 1.
• PhD /DPhil in a relevant subject area.

Experience

Essential

• Proven, extensive experience of Clinical Molecular Genetics in a diagnostic laboratory or similar if combined with relevant research experience.
• Good working knowledge of the majority of analytical methodologies (karyotyping, arrays, FISH, PCR, WGS).
• Experience of providing clinical technical services for a range of inherited conditions.
• Result evaluation and interpretation.
• Writing complex clinical reports.
• Clinical liaison.
• Experience of dealing with telephone enquiries in an informed manner.
• Troubleshooting techniques, instrumentation and software and tests.
• Developing new methodologies, designing new tests.
• Teaching and Training.

Desirable

• Translational research and development through formal funded programmes of work.
• Bioinformatics, handling and manipulating large data sets.
• Experience of writing papers and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
• Final authorisation of simple routine reports.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Essential

• Thorough in-depth knowledge of human genetics, theoretical and practical aspects of clinical cytogenetics, a thorough knowledge of modes of inheritance and the science which underpins a broad range of genetic conditions.
• To have developing specialist knowledge in rare and inherited diseases outlined in the NHS England national genomic test directory.
• To have a sound knowledge of analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving.
• To have a basic knowledge/awareness of managerial procedures.
• To have developed analytical skills in all major areas of the work of the laboratory (karyotyping, arrays, FISH, PCR, WGS).
• Able to conduct research and development activities.
• Able to advise medical and other health care professions on investigations and clinical interpretation of own area of work with back-up from senior staff where necessary.
• Able to advise on designated aspects of service provision and development.
• Developing ability and confidence to challenge established views.
• Able to use and manipulate laboratory computer systems (databases).
• Ability to organise and manage complex activities.
• Able to use and manipulate a variety of software packages to analyse data, some of which are complex and developed in research rather than corporate environments.
• Able to use and navigate through a variety of internet-based scientific databases.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to prepare and present scientific and clinical information at meetings or as part of teaching commitment.
• Able to organise and manage complex activities.
• Able to maintain intense and prolonged concentration on important tasks despite frequent interruptions.
• Ability to cope with the fast pace of change in Genetics e.g. emerging technologies and changes to practice.
• Teaching and training abilities.

Personal attributes

Essential

• Ability to assimilate information quickly.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Methodical approach to work.
• Able to work under pressure and demonstrate resilience.
• Professional attitude.
• Desire to learn and develop further.