Clinical Scientist

at  Synnovis

The Synnovis Cancer Genetics laboratory at Guy’s Hospital is part of the South East Genomics Laboratory Hub (SEGLH) and is the designated provider of adult solid tumour testing for the whole of the SEGLH geography. Large scale expansion and transformation of the service is underway to ensure equity of access to the NHSE National Genomic Test Directory for Cancer.
Your main duties will be to provide analytical support within the cancer team for haemato-oncology and solid tumour referrals.
A sound knowledge of laboratory genetics and experience of working within a cancer genetic team is essential; an in-depth knowledge of cancer genomics is required.
Excellent communication skills are necessary in order to work effectively with other staff both within Cancer Genetics at Guy’s Hospital and the wider SEGLH team.
The Synnovis Genetics Laboratory at Guy’s is the designated hub laboratory for the SEGLH Network led by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTfT). The Cancer Genetics team is comprised of around 50 administrative, scientific and technical staff within the cytogenetic and molecular genetic laboratories. Testing is provided for patients with a wide range of adult solid tumours and haematological malignancies, in order to provide diagnostic and prognostic information and inform treatment decisions. The service includes a substantial nationally and internationally renowned acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring service which has close links with the King’s College NIHR clinical trials AML MRD unit. A weekly team-led seminar series and a monthly GLH wide journal club are available for all staff in order to facilitate learning and continual professional development (CPD).
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.
Service Delivery
1. Participation in all aspects of the Cancer genetics workload, including solid tumour NGS and AML MRD analysis, interpretation, reporting and administration.
2. Accurately perform complex analysis of samples referred for Cancer analysis - this requires frequent and prolonged periods of concentration. Analytical techniques used will depend on individual competencies and training; duties could include G-band, FISH, NGS and AML MRD analysis of cancer samples
3. Check the analytical work of other team members in line with own individual competencies. This includes checking the analysis of staff at band 6 and below who are not HCPC registered.
4. Responsibility for the final checking of a proportion of reports written by the team including; checking accuracy and interpretation of results and diagnostic and prognostic implications.
5. Provision of highly specialised scientific advice and technical support to users of the diagnostic Cancer Genetics service and to other scientific and technical staff.
Quality and Management
1. Participate in the preparation and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and in the review of these documents.
2. Ensure that work is carried out in line with Standard Operating Procedures and Departmental policy.
3. Ensure the Departmental Health and Safety Policy are adhered to, and under take the risk assessment of procedures as appropriate.
Education and Training
1. Assist in the training of trainee scientists, biomedical scientists and medical staff. To have particular responsibility for providing specialist training to staff in own area of expertise.
2. Encourage and support junior staff to develop their full potential for the benefit of the laboratory service and their careers.
3. Promote the teaching and training of scientific, medical and technical staff and to collaborate in the effort to keep staff abreast of advances in human molecular genetics
General duties
Participate in working parties and liaison groups as necessary.
Strictly adhere to local laboratory and Department of Health and Safety regulations and Codes of Practice.
Demonstrate awareness of and compliance with Health and Safety regulations, Data Protection, and SOPs.
Participate in laboratory and clinical audits.
Ensure workplace and workbench areas are kept to laboratory standards.
Undertake mandatory training as required by Synnovis.
Maintain and promote the professional image of Synnovis
Participate in the PPR cycle, and be assessed against objectives relevant to the role of a clinical scientist.
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings when required.
Key Working Arrangements
Work independently and autonomously rather than under direct supervision of more senior staff.
Guidance is available from the Cancer Genetics operational management team as and when required
Special Working Conditions
Frequently undertake repetitive tasks involving the use of VDU resulting in prolonged periods of sitting in a restricted position.
Monitor exposure to hazardous environmental and chemical substances.
Undertake investigations of biological specimens which have adverse pathological risks associated with them.
Frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions due to the variety of specimens processed including tumour biopsies and bodily fluids.
May be required to work shifts or provide out of hours cover as determined by service need and as directed in individual contracts of employment.
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.
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

Please refer the Job description for details