Clinical Scientist in Cancer Genomics

Full time 37.5 hours per week. Part time and job share considered. There are excellent opportunities for progression for qualified and motivated applicants.

Contact Laura Yarram-Smith For Further Information

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

To apply highly specialist scientific skill and expertise in diagnostic laboratory genetics including troubleshooting of assays and techniques both existing and in development. To ensure that the service is effective and current by regular literature review. To implement laboratory procedures for sample receipt, processing, IQC, analysis, checking, interpretation, preparation of reports (both standard and complex) and reporting of results. In partnership with others, to be responsible for the accuracy, timeliness and appropriateness of a variety of routine and non-routine highly specialised genomic tests. To correctly interpret and explain results with advice on further action for patient or family members, including calculation of risk and use of appropriate online resources, literature and databases as appropriate, within relevant professional guidelines and subject to supervision from senior staff. To contribute to appropriate multidisciplinary team meetings to give a professional opinion on clinical cases. To communicate scientific data and results at local, national and international meetings and in the scientific literature under the overall direction of senior staff. Authorisation of a subset of clinical and administrative reports, as directed by senior staff To work with the team to ensure achievement of and adherence to the standards required of a CPA (Clinical Pathology Accreditation UK Ltd.) accredited Laboratory, in close liaison with the Quality Lead and Quality Manager and under the direction of the Head of Section and ultimately the Head of Department. The post holder will participate and lead with medium-term service development and enhancement under the overall direction of more senior staff. This may include:

• Contribution to evaluation and implementation of new methods or new ways of working etc.
• Evaluation of published developments and innovations and their transfer into clinical practice
• Project supervision To undertake continued training and development and to acquire, improve and apply new skills to ensure safe efficient and effective service delivery and to comply with the appropriate CPD scheme. The post holder is encouraged to work towards further qualifications (eg FRCPath).

Bioinformaticians

Assist with the formulation, testing, problem solving, validation, organisation and implementation of innovative approaches that enable the efficient processing, analysis, storage, management and refinement of large amounts of complex data generated by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) pipelines. Make adjustments to ensure the outcomes meet the requirements of the users (eg. to enable a clinician or clinical scientist to view and interpret relevant data at patient level). Assist with the design, troubleshooting and documentation of procedures for analysing various sources of IT issues when an NGS pipeline (for example) is not working as it should. Assist with identifying how to use data innovatively but ethically to derive the most benefit for the patient (for example, to make new genetic diagnoses). Responsible for using initiative and specialist knowledge of bioinformatics, statistical analysis, data mining and programming, to make decisions on how to obtain required results within defined criteria and ensure timely delivery of high quality information. Responsible for the communication of developments in bioinformatics to diagnostic and research staff working in the laboratory.

Person specification

Education/Training

Essential criteria

• First or second class BSc honours Degree in biological science or equivalent
• Health and Care Professions Council Registration (Clinical Scientist)
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and ongoing training in laboratory genetics
• Completion of Scientist Training programme/ Postgraduate Certificate in Genomics/Cytogenetics/Molecular genetics or equivalent
• Higher qualification to MsC or recognised equivalent level

Desirable criteria

• FRCPath part 1.

Work experience

Essential criteria

• Comprehensive experience and knowledge of Clinical Laboratory genetics
• Experience of Research and development projects and presentation at meetings/conferences

Desirable criteria

• Experience of Staff Training and Supervision
• Experience of R&D
• Experience of presentation of information at internal and/or external scientific meetings

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• IT literate and familiar with relevant informatics/bioinformatics resources
• Theoretical and Practical knowledge of genetic techniques and their clinical applications.
• Attention to detail and good organisational skills

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

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