Job summary
- Main area
- Administrative Services
- Grade
- Band 5
- Contract
- Fixed term: 6 months
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 200-NN-6388992-A&C-Z
- Employer
- St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- St George's Hospital
- Town
- Tooting
- Salary
- £34,089 - £41,498 p.a. pro rata inclusive of HCAS (Inner)
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 16/07/2024 23:59
Employer heading
Genomic Practitioner
Band 5
Job overview
The Genomics service provides risk assessment, genetic testing and psychosocial support to families at risk of a genetic or inherited condition.
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and passionate Genomic Practitioner to support our friendly, dynamic and supportive team of Clinical Geneticists and Genetic Counsellors. The ideal candidate will have an interest in, and some prior knowledge of the national plans for mainstreaming genomic medicine, and a desire to learn clinical genetics in practice.
The post holder will be supported by clinical leadership within the Genomics service, chiefly through the Genetic Counselling Team.
This post would be suited to individuals seeking experience in a Clinical Genetics service with a view to applying for future positions to access formal genetic counselling training.
Main duties of the job
Germline genetic testing is revolutionising patient care as genetic test results may inform first line therapy, initiation and screening strategies. The Genomic Practitioner role is a key bridging role that will coordinate the administrative aspects of genomic testing, ensuring that test requests are received and processed in a timely way.
The primary duty of the post holder will be to work with the Clinical Genetics service to continue to develop, embed and facilitate a robust pathway between services which enables prompt triage of referrals, improves access to genetic testing to eligible patients, and ensures resources are used most effectively.
Working for our organisation
The South West Thames Regional Genomics Centre provides an integrated Clinical Genetics service for individuals or families who have or are at risk of having a genetic disorder. We deliver this service at St George's Hospital, a leading London teaching hospital and one of the largest healthcare units in the UK, as well as in several local district hospitals across the region. We provide the highest quality service at regional specialist level for a population of approximately 4 million in the South West Thames area, Surrey and West Sussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The role will be based in Clinical Genetics at St George’s Hospital. Working closely with the Genetic Counsellors and specialist Consultants in medical services, the Genomic Practitioner will help develop local pathways and help to improve efficiency of clinical care so that patients are seen in a timely manner and clinical appointments are used most effectively.
The Genomic Practitioner will have responsibility for patient contact, information dissemination and gathering with appropriate consent, supported by meticulous record keeping ensuring decisions are captured and communicated according to departmental and national guidance. The development of written material such as standard operating procedures, educational material and leaflets will also be required.
This role will also facilitate clinical audit and service evaluation to ensure iterative improvements are made. This is a new and evolving role advocated by NHSE workforce development and education teams to enable wider uptake of roles within genomics to enable local workforce growth and career progression along the genetic counselling career structure.
Upskilling of the Genomic Practitioner by a genetics clinician will involve learning the basics of telephone communication with patients, family history taking and pedigree drawing, medical history gathering, and ability to identify important relationships within families in order to obtain consent to access and share records where appropriate.
Person specification
Qualifications / Education
Essential criteria
- Registered nurse (paediatric or adult) OR Educated to Degree level in a relevant subject (e.g. Biology, Genetics, Biomedical Sciences, Psychology) supplemented by specialist training and/or experience
- Knowledge of the 100,000 Genomes Project and NHS plans for mainstreaming of genomics, and/or other demonstrable interest in genetics
- Strong foundation in genetics, inheritance, and rare inherited conditions at Degree level, demonstrated by relevant Undergraduate course modules
- Evidence of ongoing continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
- Postgraduate qualification in genetics
Professional/ Statutory Registration
Essential criteria
- NMC Registration (if applicable)
Previous Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience in a clinical / research/academic environment
- Experience of working in a public facing role and or caring environment
- Leadership experience
Desirable criteria
- Experience of developing and implementing policies and procedures
- Operational experience of working within a clinical genetics service
- Experience of recruiting, educating and monitoring patients within a clinical environment
Skills/ Knowledge/ Ability
Essential criteria
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to demonstrate sensitivity and maturity when faced with difficult personal circumstances.
- Understanding of resource management, health and safety, clinical risk and quality issues
- Proficient use of Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel and Outlook)
- Ability to organise , prioritise and co-ordinate work of self and others
- Accountability – Takes responsibility for own actions and promotes good team working
- Openness – Shares information and good practice appropriately
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of research design and methodologies
- Knowledge of analytical processes
- Able to give advice on the organization and management of research processes
We expect all our staff to share the values that are important to the trust – being excellent, kind, responsible and respectful – and behave in a way that reflects these. More information on the vision and values of St. George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is attached below.
Please note that this vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if sufficient applicants are received. Please check your email regularly as all candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted and informed by email.
If you are appointed to the post, as part of your pre-employment check we will be required to verify your identity. The document/s you present for this purpose will be checked for their authenticity by scanning all known security features. These features will include:
- The machine readable zone
- An ultra violet image
- An infra red image
As part of your pre-employment checks, we will also be required to obtain satisfactory, written references. Please ensure that the referee details which you provide on your application form are correct. We require at least one written reference from your current or most recent line manager. We are only able to accept references from a professional work email address.
Telephone: 02082963786
Text: 07501066267
Email: [email protected].
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Andrea Forman
- Job title
- Lead Consultant Genetic Counsellor
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 020 8725 5333
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