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Job description

The successful applicant will be part of the Oncology clinical research teams undertaking trials within the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. They will liaise closely between the Oncology team, laboratory manager, clinical trial coordinators on site and UCL-RFH Biobank personnel.

The post holder will help provide a full range of research laboratory and support services to studies undertaken within the department. This will include co-ordinating samples between labs acting as a resource for the research nurses and Principal Investigators.

The post holder will be required to work according good clinical laboratory practice (GCLP) and good clinical practice (GCP).

• Facilitates collection of samples and safely transport the specimens within the hospital.
• Responsible for collecting research samples from ward/clinic and for processing, storing and releasing Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust samples. When appropriate, this activity will be conducted in accordance with the agreed policies of the RFH Trust and UCL Labs and involves booking the samples in/and out of the Rheumatology lab.
• When required, requests tissue samples locally or from referring hospitals and oversees their timely delivery to the clinical trials staff.
• Responsible for safe collection from clinic and delivery of samples to other laboratories within the hospital.
• Liaises with collaborating Commercial laboratories and academic partners.
• Communicates with couriers ensuring all study specific legal and financial documentation is in order.
• Ensures agreed standards for turnaround times of samples and results are met.
• Expected to work flexibly on occasion in keeping with the unpredictable nature of the clinical trials.

Royal Free World Class Values

The post holder will offer World Class Care to service users, staff, colleagues, clients and patients alike so that everyone at the Royal Free can feel:

• WELCOME all of the time
• Confident because we are clearly COMMUNCATING
• RESPECTED and cared for
• REASSURED that they are always in safe hands
• Takes personal responsibility for promoting a safe environment and safe patient care by identifying areas of risk and following an incident, serious incidents and near misses.
• When responsible for receipt of results, able to expedite communication of findings which sit outside expected parameters.
• Adheres to the Standard Operating Procedures set out by R&D, UCL Biobank, trial offices, departments and Chief Investigators.
• Adheres to Trust and Divisional policies, procedures, standards and protocols.
• Ensures confidentiality of results by observing rules laid down by Data Protection Act.
• Works in safe and effective manner, knowing correct procedures for handling hazardous substances within the laboratory, observing the Health and Safety at work act, laboratory safety and COSHH files.
• Is familiar with the laboratory manuals for the agreed portfolio of studies under management within the department and facilitates the timely packaging and sending of samples as per the manual to collaborating laboratories.
• Carries out all pre-analytical procedures in accordance with local Standard Operating Procedures
• Operates and maintains specialised laboratory equipment according to departmental and manufacturer’s protocols and procedures, troubleshooting as and when required.
• Maintains adequate stocks of reagents, clinical trial lab kits and consumables.
• Trains new starters in centrifugation, safely banking samples and laboratory techniques
• Familiar with the lab on-call procedures
• Provides assistance to clinical trials team and laboratory manager.
• Plans own work efficiently
• Takes active interest in and keeps abreast of developments in the disciplines.
• Maintains a programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Participates in appropriate seminars, lectures and training sessions as indicated by annual appraisal agreed by manager at individual performance review.
• Maintains own professional development in conjunction with the objectives of the Service and those identified at Performance and Development Review.
• Takes proper precautions to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory workers and visitors.
• Maintains confidentiality at all times.
• Where appropriate, assists in developing and maintaining SOPs.
• Maintains laboratory documentation including equipment service records and validation reports
• Liaises with hospital staff as required, to assist in the service to users.
• The post holder will be required to assist in the preparation of samples for analysis and entering data into the laboratory information system and to be able to retrieve the samples.
• Designs SOP’s appropriate to the local setting and facilitates training of clinical research team for new studies with specific needs.
• Undertakes pre-analytical processing for multi-centre, randomised, controlled clinical trials across multiple sites within the UK.
• Creates databases to facilitate tracking of requests and process of samples for which the post holder is responsible for preparing or requesting.
• Participates in data collection and management primarily related to blood and tissue sample recording, and participates in data transfer to dedicated studies.
• Competently performs basic and advanced laboratory techniques for example; centrifugation, separation of plasma and serum , Cryopreservation, DNA extraction, Isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells as per local guidance and GLCP guidelines for research samples.

Please also see addition under “responsibility for patients”

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Infection Control

Infection control is everyone’s responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non clinical, are required to adhere to the Trust’s Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures and the Health Act (2006) Code of Practice for the prevention and control healthcare associated infections and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the risk of Healthcare Associated infections.

It is the duty of every member of staff to take personal responsibility for the prevention and control of infection, as laid down in the Trust’s polices and procedures which reflect the statutory requirements of the Hygiene Code.

• To work in close collaboration with the Infection Control Team.
• To ensure that monitoring of clinical practice is undertaken at the agreed frequency.
• To ensure that the ward environments are cleaned and maintained to the highest standards; ensuring that shortfalls are rectified, or escalate as necessary.
• To ensure that all relevant monitoring data and issues are provided to the Directorate’s Governance structures.
• To ensure that all staff are released to attend infection control-related educational sessions and staff with specialist roles, e.g. link practitioners, are released to undertake their duties.
• Complies with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy and treats staff, patients, colleagues and potential employees with dignity and respect at all times.
• Takes personal responsibility for promoting a safe environment and safe patient care by identifying areas of risk and following the incident, Serious Incidents and Near Misses reporting policy and procedure.
• Takes personal responsibility for ensuring for ensuring that departmental resources are used efficiently and with minimum wastage and complies with the Trust’s Standing Financial Instructions.
• Complies with Trust policies for personal and patient safety and for prevention of healthcare associated infection (HCAI); this includes a requirement for rigorous and consistent compliance with Trust policies for hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment and safe disposal of sharps.
• Is aware of and adheres to all Trust Policies and procedures, the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act.
• Maintains confidentiality at all times.

Health and Safety at Work

The post holder is required to:

• Take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself/herself and other persons who may be affected by their actions or omissions at work.
• Co-operate with the employer in ensuring that all statutory and other requirements are complied with.
• Takes proper precautions to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory workers and visitors.
• Works in safe and effective manner, knowing correct procedures for handling hazardous substances within the laboratory, observing the Health and Safety at work act, laboratory safety and COSHH files.

Confidentiality & Data Protection

The post holder has a responsibility to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and maintain confidentiality of staff, patients and Trust business.

If you are required to process information, you should do so in a fair and lawful way, ensuring accuracy is maintained. You should hold information only for the specific registered purpose and not use or disclose it in any way incompatible with such a purpose.

You should disclose information only to authorised persons or organisations as instructed. Breaches of confidentiality in relation to information will result in disciplinary action, which may include dismissal. Employees are expected to comply with all Trust policies and procedures and to work in accordance of the Data Protection Act 1998. For those posts where there is management or supervision of other staff it is the responsibility of that employee to ensure that their staff receive appropriate training (e.g. HISS induction, organising refresher sessions for staff when necessary.)

Conflict of Interest

The Trust is responsible for ensuring that the services for patients in its care meet the highest standards. Equally, it is responsible for ensuring that staff do not abuse their official position, to gain or benefit themselves, their family or friends.

Equality and Diversity

The Trust values equality and diversity in employment and in the services we provide. It is committed to promoting equality and diversity in employment and will keep under review our policies and procedures to ensure that the job related needs of all staff working in the Trust are recognised. The Trust aims to ensure that all job applicants, employees or clients are treated fairly and valued equally regardless of sex, marital status, domestic circumstances, age, race, colour, disablement, ethnic or national origin, social background or employment status, sexual orientation, religion, beliefs, HIV status, gender reassignment, political affiliation or trade union membership. Selection for training and development and promotion will be on the basis of the individual’s ability to meet the requirements for the job.

You are responsible for ensuring that the Trust’s policies, procedures and obligation in respect of promoting equality and diversity are adhered to in relation to both staff and services.

Vulnerable Groups

• To carry out responsibilities in such a away as to minimise risk of harm to children, young people and vulnerable adults and to promote their welfare in accordance with the Children Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2006) and No Secrets guidance (DH 2000).
• To demonstrate an understanding of and adhere to the trust’s child protection policies.

No Smoking

The Trust implemented a No Smoking Policy, which applies to all staff. Staff contravening this policy will be subject to disciplinary procedures.

Standards of dress

All staff are expected to abide by the Trust’s guidance on standards of dress.

This job description outlines the current main responsibilities of the post. However the duties of the post may change and develop over time and may therefore be amended in consultation with the post holder,