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Job summary

Main area
Pathology
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
290-NWLP-276
Employer
North West London Pathology
Employer type
NHS
Site
Hammersmith Hospital
Town
London
Salary
£44,806 - £53,134 pa inclusive
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
23/02/2025 23:59

Employer heading

North West London Pathology logo

Senior Genetic Technologist

Band 6

North West London Pathology (NWLP) is an NHS pathology partnership joint venture between Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Chelsea & Westminster NHS Foundation Trust and The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. NWLP is modelled as a shared services organisation jointly owned by the three Trusts. The organisation is hosted by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and as the legal entity for NWLP our staff are employed by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

NWLP is based on a ‘hub and spoke’ structure; the majority of routine, specialist and non-urgent activity is centralised at our hub site at Charing Cross Hospital. Urgent tests required for immediate patient management and treatment are performed in 24/7 Essential Service Laboratories based on-site within the seven hospital sites in the group.

The partnership has created an innovative and sustainable service that delivers outstanding quality to users and patients alike. This innovative approach allows the service to better manage demand, standardise operations, improve value for money and make use of state-of-the-art technology.

Our values are to be patient-focused, collaborative, expert and caring.

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and self-motivated Genetic Technologist/Biomedical Scientist to join the Specialist Integrated Haematological Malignancy diagnostic service (SIHMDS) Laboratory within North West London Pathology at Hammersmith Hospital, hosted by Imperial NHS Trust. The laboratory is one of the partner organisations within the North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub (NTGLH   ) and is accredited with the NSHCS to provide STP and HSST training, together with a commitment to train and develop staff of all grades. 

Applicants must have a first or second Class Honor's degree in Genetics or a closely related subject.  Applicants must be competent in FISH analysis and preferably also in karyotyping within a haematology setting.

Applicants with limited karyotyping can still apply if practical experience in other molecular techniques is strong,  particularly SNP arrays. Within this role, the successful applicant will be actively involved in ensuring the high standard of quality is maintained within SIHMDS and will be expected to contribute to the quality management activities, including compliance with UKAS laboratory accreditation standards, teaching and training. Applicants should hold valid HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist or be in the process of applying for registration. 

Main duties of the job

This role is primarily based in the cytogenetics section of SIHMDS and demonstrable genomic knowledge and prior experience for this post is essential. The successful applicant will be required to take a role in leading and managing the cytogenetic technical team, and therefore requires competency in all areas of cytogenetics technical work as well as good communication, team working and supervisory skills.

Working for our organisation

Benefits include career development, flexible working, staff wellbeing programmes, staff awards and recognition scheme. We also have available benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

NWLP Induction

The NWLP induction will run on the first Monday of each month (provided it does not fall on a bank holiday) and includes laboratory training (for relevant laboratory roles). All new staff must attend the NWLP induction during their first week with NWLP.

For 2025, see below the start dates which you will be able to book once you have completed all your pre-employment checks.

  • Monday 3 March 2025
  • Monday 7 April 2025
  • Monday 12 May 2025
  • Monday 2 June 2025
  • Monday 7 July 2025
  • Monday 4 August 2025
  • Monday 1 September 2025
  • Monday 6 October 2025
  • Monday 3 November 2025
  • Monday 1 December 2025

Candidates are advised to consider these start dates before agreeing end of service date with their current employer.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria
  • 2nd class or higher BSc(Hons) in biological science or equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • Registered as a Genetic Technologist Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) or working towards registration
  • HCPC registration
  • Registered as a Biomedical Scientist or working towards registration

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Practical analytical skills in FISH analysis within a diagnostic laboratory
  • Timely accurate working. Methodical.
  • Well organised. Precise
  • Numerate Competence in PC word processing, spreadsheet and database software.
Desirable criteria
  • Practical analytical skills in karyotyping analysis
  • Technical and/or analytical/interpretation experience in SNP array technology.
  • Technical and/or analytical/interpretation experience in NGS technology

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Significant workplace-based, post-graduate laboratory experience of cytogenetic testing in a NHS diagnostic laboratory at band 5 or above
  • Theoretical understanding of relevant genetic techniques and technologies
  • Undergraduate level knowledge of human/medical genetics
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of validation/verification of new technologies or processes
  • Knowledge of the NHSE Genomic Test Directory and Genomic Medicine Service

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Disability confident employerNHS Rainbow Badge - BronzeWe Work Flexibly

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Nuha Abdellatif
Job title
SIHMDS Laboratory Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
02033132177
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