Clinical Scientist

Job summary

The Newcastle Genetics Laboratory forms part of the North East and Yorkshire Genomic Laboratory Hub, (NE&Y GLH) alongside our partners in Leeds and Sheffield. There are ongoing Clinical Scientist vacancies to join our friendly laboratory teams, (see ) and applications are invited for a Band 7 Clinical Scientist post in the Newcastle Genetics Laboratory. This is an exciting time to work in genomics, and an opportunity to be at the forefront of improving outcomes for patients.

Candidates should ideally either be State Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council or should achieve State Registration within the first year. State Registration will be required for full assimilation onto Band 7 (successful candidates within one year of HCPC registration would be appointed at 75% of Band 7 until registration was achieved). All applicants should ideally have direct experience of the work of a diagnostic genetics service.

We would be willing to consider applications from individuals with alternative qualifications such as an MSc or PhD in Genetics, with significant laboratory and analytical experience in a relevant clinical setting. Any successful candidates who are not yet registered would be expected to work towards HCPC registration and would be appointed on an appropriate percentage of the pay for fully qualified staff during the training period.

Interview Date Thursday, 26 September 2024 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week

Main duties of the job

We provide testing for a wide variety of inherited and acquired conditions for a local population of over three million people, as well as services provided for the North East and Yorkshire Genomic Laboratory Hub. In addition we provide specialised services to patients throughout the UK and internationally. The Newcastle Genetics laboratory is housed in purpose built accommodation at the Institute of Genetic Medicine near to Newcastle city centre, and has a close association with the high profile academic groups working in the Institute of Genetic Medicine research laboratories.

The successful candidate will be a motivated and reliable individual and will join a team of around 90 Scientific and Technical staff in the Genetics laboratories in Newcastle. They will be required to deliver coordination of testing for a range of genetic conditions, in addition to preparing reports and liaising closely with clinical colleagues and Genetic Technologist staff. A broad knowledge of diagnostic genetics and good communication, team working and supervisory skills are essential.

About us

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest, largest and most successful teaching NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 16,000 staff and an annual income of £1 billion.

We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.

We're also proud to be the second largest provider of specialised services in the country. This means we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.

Our staff oversee around 2 million patients 'contacts' each year, delivering high standards of healthcare.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust.

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Analysis, interpretation and reporting of genetic tests for a broad range of inherited disorders and acquired cancers guided by clearly defined policies and procedures. Service development in own area. Limited responsibility for an additional component of the genetics service. Providing specialist advice to clinicians on specific genetic tests. Supervision of technical, junior and trainee staff in section. Practical and theoretical training of scientific & technical staff.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.

You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

Good knowledge of the scientific and clinical background to the disorders tested in the laboratory

Desirable

Willing to communicate scientific findings and local and national meetings and conferences

SKILLS

Essential

Excellent laboratory bench skills Excellent communication and organisational skills Basic computer skills

EXPERIENCE

Essential

Previous experience as a pre-registration scientist in a diagnostic cytogenetics and/or molecular genetics laboratory

Desirable

Significant experience in a diagnostic cytogenetics and/or molecular genetics laboratory Staff supervisory experience

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

First class or second class BSc degree in an appropriate subject with a strong genetics component State registered clinical scientist in Genetics with the Health and Care Professions Council (Masters Degree equivalence)

Desirable

Successful completion of clinical scientist training evidenced by award of Certificate of Competence by the Association for Clinical Cytogenetics or Clinical Molecular Genetics Society or completion of the Modernising Scientific Careers Genetics STP Post graduate qualification either Masters degree or PhD in an appropriate subject

---