Job Description
Applications are invited for a Senior Assistant technical Officer, within a friendly, busy and supportive team based in the Scientific Research and Innovation department at King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, operating between the hours of 09:00 to 17:30, Monday to Friday.
The Scientific Research and Innovation department runs a clinical cytokine service that is accredited to ISO15189, and provide pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical services for our Biomarker research studies.
Senior Assistant Technical Officers are Clinical Support Workers who work as part of a team within the laboratory setting. After appropriate training and demonstration of competence, the post holder will undertake clinical, and research and development activities in the department and assist the section scientists and laboratory manager with the day-to-day operation of the laboratory, delivering scientific services to ISO15189, GCP and HTA guidelines.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone to work within our scientific team and busy clinical research laboratory supporting our NHS, clinical, academic and commercial sponsors. The varied workload makes for an interesting environment and a natural professional development platform, with experience in clinical testing, specialised study specific sample processing, automated biomarker analysis and the opportunity to assist with quality, and health and safety initiatives.
The main duties pertain to pre-analytical, analytical and post analytical processing of clinical samples, and include the receipt, sorting and labelling of samples, performing manual laboratory tests, operation of laboratory analysers and entry of test and patient data on to the laboratory computer system.
Analysers used within the department include the Protein Simple Ella, Werfen DS2, Siemens Immulite 2000 XPi, and the Roche Cobas 8000; so experience with analysers and analytical skills will be an advantage. Full in-service training will be provided.
The post holder will interact with fellow healthcare professionals, trial coordinators and other healthcare workers.
Concentration and attention to detail are essential qualities required for this post. The post holder will offer a helpful and professional service to Biomedical and clinical co-workers, fellow healthcare professionals, trial coordinators, other healthcare workers, visitors, patients and telephone callers and will contribute towards the department providing a high quality service.
The successful candidate will have a good standard of education (to GCSE level or equivalent), previous laboratory experience and excel knowledge would be a great advantage. Applicants should be organized; with good communication and team working skills and the ability to work efficiently.
Although unable to support the completion of an IBMS Specialist portfolio, there are a large number 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.
Technical
To safely handle, use and dispose of serum, plasma, other body fluids or hazardous chemicals under supervision
To undertake preventative maintenance on laboratory instruments and equipment prior to them being used for patient investigations
To prepare, store and use reagents required for laboratory investigations
To perform manual, semi-automated and fully-automated laboratory investigations
Ensure quality control measures are carried out to monitor analytical performance, take corrective action where applicable and report any failures to senior staff
To report to the operations manager any instance or event which may cause a service delivery or quality assurance failure
To ensure samples received for R&D studies are correctly received, logged onto appropriate spreadsheets / systems and stored under suitable conditions
To receive, sort and log patient samples on to the laboratory information system, where appropriate
To file samples following appropriate protocols and keep records as required
To ensure samples are labelled and numbered in accordance with laboratory procedures and specific procedures associated with research studies and clinical trials
Preparation of samples for analysis, including preparing relevant assay sheets and paperwork
To store, process or dispatch patient samples according to laboratory procedures
To prepare, process and pack samples for despatch to other laboratories, including complex sample processes for Central Laboratory Commercial Clinical Trials
To maintain manual and computerised records including Excel spreadsheets, scanning and filing of request forms
To maintain, monitor and report temperature logs for Contract Research and Development rooms, fridges and freezers
Dispose of tested samples according to departmental protocols
Attend and support clinics and satellite labs as and when required
To ensure work is processed in a timely manner under the guidance of the operations manager and scientist staff
Ensure that errors, quality failures and incidents are recorded according to laboratory protocol
Ensure sample filing and discard is carried out in accordance with departmental protocols
Specialised cleaning of benches and other laboratory equipment
Training and Development
To comply with the training and competence policy and procedure
To undergo training in analytical techniques relevant to the position
To undertake training courses related to techniques and tools relevant to the position
To assist the senior staff and operations manager with the supervision of medical laboratory assistants and trainee biomedical scientists
To support and participate in staff training and development
Laboratory Informatics
To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information
To use the Laboratory Information System according to the authorised protocols
To maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases
Administrative and Communication
Effective communication with laboratory and medical staff to ensure that specimens are dealt with appropriately and in a timely fashion
To manage outstanding work to ensure that all results are reported within the agreed turnaround time
To participate in the data collection for the operation performance managements system (OPMS)
To advise the senior staff or operations manager when stocks of reagents and consumables are approaching minimum stock levels
Liaise with internal and external, medical and industry colleagues and other departments within Pathology
Advise service users on sample preservation and transportation to laboratory
Governance
To ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of GCP, HTA, MHRA and other relevant authorities
To ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of GCP, HTA, MHRA and other relevant authorities
To comply with the policies and procedures of Kings College Hospital NHS Trust and Synnovis Pathology
To observe and adhere to local and national health and safety policies
To observe national and local guidance on patient and commercial confidentiality
Propose changes to Standard Operating Procedures to senior staff and aid in implementation of such changes, as and when required
Undertake audits and participate in surveys when required
Other
To maintain and promote the professional image of Contract Research and Development, Synnovis Pathology and Kings College Hospital NHS Trust
To treat everyone associated with Kings College Hospital NHS Trust and Synnovis Pathology with courtesy and respect
To assist scientist staff as required
To keep the workplace and workbenches clean and tidy
To maintain good work relations with all members of staff, and to promote effective teamwork
Keep appropriate records of all communications
Undertake Continual Professional Development (CPD)
To participate in and contribute to the Performance Planning and Review (PPR) process
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.
King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching. King’s has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.
Over the last 170 years, King’s has delivered nothing but world class service to all its patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.
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