Biomedical Scientist Sutton, London, England
Job description
The cellular therapy laboratory is an integral part of the Trust’s busy Haematology/Oncology stem cell transplant programme. The laboratory, which is HTA and JACIE accredited, provides specialist clinical, technical and scientific services to support the transplant and cellular therapy programmes which you will help facilitate. The laboratory receives, processes, cryopreserves and issues autologous and allogeneic haematopoietic stem cells for therapeutic use in adult and paediatric patients. Additionally, the lab receives, stores and issues cellular therapy products such as CAR-Ts and TILs for the cellular therapy and trials programme. Located on our Sutton site with newly built/refurbished facilities, the laboratory has established a reputation for high quality service provision which we strive to maintain and improve. The role involves working independently and teamwork across the scope of laboratory activities.
We are welcoming the opportunity for a qualified HCPC registered biomedical scientist to join our team on Band 5 or 6 basis, depending on experience/application. Applicants with relevant transferrable skills from other laboratory disciplines, with demonstrable desire to move into this field to be considered. Relevant training would be provided.
Part-time applicants will be considered.
For further details or visits please contact Dr Janet Wells, Head of the Cellular Therapy Laboratory, or Helen Macdonald, Deputy Head/Quality Manager on
020 8661 3895
The post holder will participate in all aspects of the work of this specialist laboratory which provides a comprehensive service to the Haemato/Oncology transplant programme within the Trust. The cellular therapy laboratory team receives haematopoietic progenitor cells collected by apheresis, bone marrow and cord blood and processes and/or stores these for therapeutic use. Additionally, the laboratory calculates, processes and stores donor lymphocyte doses and is involved in clinical trials and treatments employing cellular therapies such as CAR-Ts. As a member of the laboratory team the post holder will assist with cleaning and regular environmental testing of the clean room to ensure a suitable environment for the processing of stem cells and will also be involved in maintenance of the cryogenic facility. Traceability of cells from donor to recipient is of utmost importance so the post holder will be required to work with exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.
The post holder will liaise with stem cell transplant programme clinical and ward staff, and work closely with colleagues in Immunophenotyping who perform stem cell enumeration and Microbiology who read environmental testing plates and cultures.
The transplant programme is accredited by JACIE and holds a Human Tissue Authority licence for human application. The post holder will be expected to participate fully in meeting regulatory requirements and contribute to quality improvement within the department.
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 and learning and development opportunities. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.
Core duties and responsibilities
1. To prepare for harvests expected to arrive in the laboratory
2. To collect harvested cells from the apheresis department or from theatres.
3. To receive frozen products from cord banks or other transplant centres
4. To receive fresh cells collected from donor centres around the world.
5. Process haematopoietic progenitor cells for cryopreservation under aseptic conditions in a cleanroom.
6. Assist with volume reduction/red cell depletion of bone marrow donations.
7. Cryopreserve cells and store in vapour phase nitrogen.
8. Issue fresh and frozen haematopoietic progenitor cells for transplant.
9. Perform environmental monitoring of the clean room using air sampling, particle counting, contact plates and settle plates.
10. Contribute to the writing and review of SOPs used in the department. To read new versions of SOPs and follow these.
