Medical Laboratory Assistant London, England
Job description
The Genetics department is looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) to join our comprehensive Genetics Service at the South East Genomic Laboratory Hub (SEGLH), based at Guy’s Hospital. You will support the continued provision of service and development of new tests aligned to the NHSE Genetics Test Directory. We are recruiting to a post within the Monogenics technical team which provides testing of single gene disorders, including WGS.
The ideal candidate will be a quick learner and good team player. This laboratory based role will give you the job satisfaction that comes from knowing that no two days are the same. After in-house training and successfully completing the relevant competency assessments, you will be responsible for extracting DNA from blood and other tissues, processing DNA samples and performing administrative duties.
The post holder is expected to maintain professional competency and dexterity in precision based tasks, and maintain the levels of concentration required to maintain quality service.
The post holder will undertake a range of laboratory and housekeeping duties as appropriate, making use of the laboratory robotics equipment. You will work as part of a team, comprising of MLAs and Genetics Technologists, who are line managed by Senior Technical staff.
The technical and scientific teams work closely to deliver a high-quality laboratory diagnostic service. Excellent communication skills are required to work effectively with other team members.
You will perform semi-automated and manual processing of specimens which requires a high level of dexterity.
You will also ensure quality control measures are carried out to monitor analytical performance, take corrective action where applicable and report any failures to a senior member of staff.
The post holder will ensure standards as required by the ISO15189 are maintained.
The Genetics laboratories are part of Synnovis Analytics and are located within the Guy’s Hospital site. The Genetics department is made up of more than 120 staff and with close links to Clinical Services throughout Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTfT) and St George’s Hospital Foundation Trust. With our partner laboratories, the GLH for the South London region provides a comprehensive genomics service for a population of 8 million which includes specialist germline and cancer tests and a class-leading whole exome sequencing service. The laboratory works collaboratively with other pathology disciplines and research groups such as GSTfT Biomedical Research Centre and Genomics Innovation Unit and the GSTfT Assisted Conception Unit for Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis.
Your development and learning
You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.
Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.
Experience of handling clinical samples and use of pipettes is essential.
The post holder will be responsible for:
- Extraction of DNA from blood and other human tissue samples, generally using laboratory robotics and automated DNA extractor, and in some instances using manual procedures.
- Processing of blood samples for sending to other laboratories.
- Adherence to the laboratory standard operating procedures.
- Strict adherence to the laboratory and Departmental Health & Safety regulations and Codes of Practice.
- Undertaking work to ensure that all results are reported within agreed turnaround times and resolve any problems associated with incomplete results.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Women’s Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Children’s Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guy’s site.
You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!
