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Job summary

Main area
Head & Neck Research
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
282-CR1245968
Employer
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Royal Marsden Hospital Chelsea
Town
Chelsea
Salary
£30,279 - £33,116 per annum incl. HCAS
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
05/07/2024 23:59

Employer heading

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust logo

Biological Specimen Coordinator

NHS AfC: Band 4

Job overview

An excellent opportunity has arisen at The Royal Marsden Hospital and Institute of Cancer Research, to work as a Biological Specimen Coordinator. 

The Head and Neck Unit at The Royal Marsden is one of the largest of its kind in Europe and includes one of the largest research teams within the trust. It is recognised worldwide for its strength in diagnosing and treating cancers of the head and neck. The Royal Marsden has now also become the world’s first International Centre for Recurrent Head & Neck Cancer (IReC). IReC has an ambitious aim to create a centre of excellence and set international standards in the curative treatment, palliation, and supportive care of recurrent head and neck cancers. 

The role of Biological Specimen Coordinator is pivotal, and you will be part of a multidisciplinary team, liaising with a variety of staff throughout the Royal Marsden and Institute of Cancer (ICR). Primarily based at the ICR, you will be integral in the running of exciting oncological research studies and have a close working relationship with the research team in this specialist area. 

The Trust is committed to developing and delivering excellent customer focused service by treating patients, their families, friends, carers and staff with professionalism, respect, and dignity. We also offer the opportunity to further your studies and development at a hospital that has been at the forefront of innovation in research for decades.

 

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with relevant lab experience to uphold high standards of clinical trial conduct in accordance with the principles of GCP. In addition, you will have excellent communication, and administrative skills, and be supportive to new initiatives. The successful applicant should have a flexible approach to their duties and the ability to work both as part of the team as well as independently. 

Working for our organisation

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:

  • The post holder will work predominantly within the ICR and RMHNST and be responsible for collecting, cataloguing, and processing clinical samples from both Chelsea and Sutton sites.
  • Processing, labelling, managing, and tracking the collection and sending of samples in compliance with all current regulations and SOPs.
  • Storing samples in the appropriate conditions (e.g., fridges and freezers at -80oC).
  • Receiving samples in-house at the ICR or Royal Marsden NHS Trust (located in close proximity) and travelling, where necessary, to collect samples taken elsewhere in the trust.

For further information please contact: 

Joanna Marsden, Lead Research Nurse - Head, Neck & Thyroid Unit [email protected]

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Bachelor of Science (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject
  • Able to follow departmental and Standard Operational Procedures and Departmental
  • Understanding of regulatory requirements around tissue including The Human Tissue Act
Desirable criteria
  • Technical qualification in pathology/ histopathology
  • Knowledge of, and interest in, cancer research

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working in a laboratory environment (preferably within a clinical/ hospital setting)
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of database management

Skills Abilities/knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Working knowledge of lab techniques
  • Evidence of working well in a team and independently
  • Ability to make decisions, organise, prioritise and work to deadline
  • Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Excellent organisational skills and record keeping skills
Desirable criteria
  • Venepuncture and/or cannulation skills

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoLondon Living Wage is a voluntary commitment made by employers, who can become accredited with the Living Wage FoundationArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStep into health

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Joanna Marsden
Job title
Lead Research Nurse
Email address
[email protected]

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
Recruitment Support Team
Telephone
01629 690825
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