Clinical Scientist
(Molecular Genetics)
Job Description
Date: 29/7/2014
GOSH Profile
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (GOSH) is a national
centre of excellence in the provision of specialist children's health care, currently delivering
the widest range of specialist care of any children's hospital in the UK. It is the only
specialist Biomedical Research Centre for paediatrics, the largest centre in the UK for
children with heart or brain problems, and the largest centre in Europe for children with
cancer. It works in partnership with the UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH), part of
University College London, and together they form the largest paediatric research and
teaching centre in the UK.
The hospital at Great Ormond Street is the only exclusively specialist children's hospital in
the UK. It does not have an Accident and Emergency department and only accepts
specialist referrals from other hospitals and community services. The population of children
served by the hospital is characterised by those with multiple disabilities and/or health
problems and rare and congenital (present at birth) conditions. Many children need the help
of different specialist teams. Improvements in health care and diagnosis mean that many
children have dramatically improved survival rates and more therapeutic options than was
the case 10 years ago. Sadly though, many of the children cared for at GOSH still have lifethreatening or life-limiting conditions.
The hospital receives over 220,000 patient visits (inpatient admissions or outpatient
appointments) a year, and carries our approximately 18,800 operations each year.
The hospital has 355 patient beds, including 36 intensive care beds. Many of the children
and young people on our wards require high dependency care or are classed as ward
intensive care, requiring one-to-one nursing.
Around 3,800 full-time and part-time staff work at the hospital. The ICH has around 600
staff. Many senior staff have roles in both organisations.
The hospital has approximately 50 paediatric specialties, the widest range of any hospital in
the UK, which uniquely enables it to diagnose and pioneer treatments for children with
highly complex, rare or multiple conditions. It has 19 highly specialised national services.
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Job description
Job title
Clinical Scientist (Molecular Genetics)
Division/Directorate
MDTS
Band
AFC 7
Responsible to
Designated Principal Clinical Scientist
Accountable to
Head of Service (Molecular Genetics)
Type of contract/tenure of
post
Permanent
Hours per week
1 WTE
Location
NE Thames Regional Genetics Laboratory
Budgetary responsibility
N/A
Manages
Direct reports
Indirect reports
N/A
Genetic Technologist;
Assistant Technologist
Scope of the role
To perform a relatively broad and demanding range of less predictable scientific work activities, or a
still narrow range but with a high degree of individual skill. To have considerable autonomy but with
ultimate responsibility for the quality of work being vested in a Clinical Scientist at a higher level.
A clinical scientist with responsibility for a designated set of genetic diseases is responsible for the
day-to-day operation of services ensuring compliance with UKAS ISO15189 standards, the related
training and quality assurance issues, for update and development of the services and for ensuring
that the laboratory tests and reports are completed within target reporting times. The post holder
must have a sound knowledge of clinical molecular genetics and is required to undertake continuing
professional development activities to keep up to date.
Key working relationships
Internal:
Administrative team
Laboratory Technologists
Clinical Scientists (Molecular and Cytogenetic)
Principal Clinical Scientists (Molecular and Cytogenetic)
Genetics Service Manager
Head of Service (Molecular Genetics)
Clinical Genetics Consultants
Clinical Genetics Counsellors
Consultants from Specialty relevant to disease responsibility (e.g. Immunology, Metabolic Medicine)
Pathology Scientists relevant to disease responsibility ((e.g. Immunology, Biochemistry)
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External:
Clinical scientists from UK Genetics Centres
Clinical Genetics Consultants and Counsellors from UK Regional Genetics Centres
Consultants from Specialty relevant to disease responsibility from around the UK and Internationally
North East Thames & UK Fetal Medicine Units
North East Thames Paediatric centres
General Practitioners
Research colleagues from UCL Institute of Child Health
Researchers from relevant disease speciality; UK and internationally
Main duties and responsibilities
General
1. To follow established procedures and protocols
2. Comply with health and safety policies
3. Comply with corporate and professional codes of conduct
4. Assist in quality assurance procedures
5. Assist in training of new staff or visitors
6. To prepare and to assist in the maintenance and review of operating policies
7. Attend training courses as required
8. Assist in regular audit
9. To undertake an appropriate proportion of the total workload of the department and other duties
appropriate to the grade of the post and within appropriate time limits.
10. To be aware of when to seek further advice or refer issues arising to Senior Staff.
Scientific and technical
1. To generate and interpret results, to calculate risks where necessary, and to produce clear and
concise patient reports adhering to agreed templates and sample turnaround times as directed
by the Head of Service.
2. To provide assistance, supervision and appropriate cover in the receipt and appropriate
preparation of specimens prior to DNA analysis.
3. To prepare and maintain reagents and to participate in the general care of equipment.
4. To maintain an accurate record of the work undertaken, including both manual and
computerised records.
5. Maintain and develop appropriate competency and expertise in scientific and technical areas.
6. Participate in research and development projects as required.
Training and development
1. To participate in staff rotation through all laboratory sections to achieve experience and to assist
in the full range of procedures.
2. To participate in the training and supervision of other members of staff and visitors
3. To participate in meetings with other members of staff, clinicians and staff from other scientific
disciplines as required including an annual appraisal.
4. To present data and participate in departmental and professional meetings.
5. To participate in training programmes as required including an annual appraisal.
6. To maintain a personal record of all training and development in accordance with requirements
of state registration
7. To participate in the personal development review (PDR) process and to work towards the
personal development plan (PDP) generated during appraisal.
Management
1. To undertake additional responsibilities as directed by the Head of Service, for example Deputy
Safety Officer or Deputy RPS
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2. To be an active member of the laboratory team and to assume day-to-day responsibility under
the direction of a senior member of staff, for the co-ordination and delivery of a section of work,
ensuring effective communication with other staff
3. To share responsibility for the activation of samples, and to liaise with clinicians and senior
members of staff to resolve any queries regarding samples received by the laboratory.
Directorate/Divisional Information
The NE Thames Regional Genetics Laboratory provides a comprehensive range of molecular and
cytogenetic diagnostic testing, serving a population of approximately 5 million people in London and
the South East. The molecular genetics and cytogenetics laboratories function as a single
operational unit and are co-located in purpose built accommodation alongside the clinical genetics
team.
Molecular genetics provides a diagnostic service for over 90 single gene disorders including
common conditions such as fragile X syndrome, cystic fibrosis, inherited hearing loss, familial
hypercholesterolaemia and Angelman / Prader-Willi syndromes. In addition, the service provides a
National and International service for rare diseases including craniofacial, metabolic, surfactant and
immune deficiency disorders.
Cytogenetics provides a comprehensive constitutional diagnostic cytogenetics service and includes
arrayCGH as a first line test for patients with developmental delay or multiple congenital
abnormalities with qPCR / FISH follow-up. Karyotyping is routinely performed for prenatal and some
postnatal samples. Samples from pregnancy losses are studied using MLPA and QF-PCR.
The laboratory is committed to translational research and new service developments and has
invested in new platform technologies such as digital PCR, microarrays and next generation DNA
sequencing. The service works closely with clinical colleagues at GOSH and academic
collaborators at the UCL Institute of Child Health.
This job description is intended as an outline of the areas of activity and can be amended in
the light of the changing needs of the service and will be reviewed as necessary in
conjunction with the post-holder.
Other information
Great Ormond Street Hospital Foundation Trust is a dynamic organisation, therefore
changes in the core duties and responsibilities of this role may be required from time to
time. These guidelines do not constitute a term or condition of employment.
Personal Responsibilities
We expect all our staff to share the values that are important to the Trust and behave in a
way that reflect these. In keeping with the Trust’s Personal Responsibility Framework and
the Single Equality Scheme and Equality Policy, the postholder will be expected at all times
to take responsibility for their own actions, support multi-disciplinary and partnership
working and develop a working environment of courtesy, fairness and mutual respect.
Conflict of Interest
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You are required to declare any involvement, either directly or indirectly, with any firm,
company or organisation which has a contract with the Trust. Failure to do so may result in
your application being rejected, or, if it is discovered after appointment that such
information has been withheld, then this may lead to your dismissal.
Confidentiality
On appointment you may be given access to confidential information which must only be
disclosed to parties entitled to receive it. Information obtained during the course of
employment should not be used for any purpose other than that intended. Unauthorised
disclosure of information is a disciplinary offence.
Disclosure & Barring Service (Previously Criminal Records or ‘CRB’)
Great Ormond Street Hospital is a regulated organisation and as such, you will have your
criminal record checked. You will be asked at interview if you have any criminal convictions
and a police check on the existence of a criminal record will be made if you are the
preferred candidate for appointment to the post. GOSH reserves the right to withdraw any
conditional offer of employment made on the basis of the outcome of your criminal records
check.
Infection Prevention and Control
You will be required to participate in performance audits with respect to Infection Prevention
and Control and will be required to discuss this in your annual performance review. The
following should also be noted:
 The postholder should ensure a suitable and efficient assessment is made of the
risks to both the recipient and provider of care in respect of infection prevention and
control issues.
 The postholder is required to make him/herself aware of and comply with national
and local infection prevention and control guidance.
 Where children are in their care the postholder must investigate any health careassociated infection.
 The postholder should audit performance with respect to infection prevention and
control (in a way appropriate to their service) and discuss this in their annual
appraisal.
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Health and Safety
All staff have a general accountability for ensuring, so far as is reasonably
practicable, the health, safety and welfare of Trust employees. The following should also be
noted:
 Each employee is required to take reasonable care for his or her own acts or
omissions and the effect that these may have upon the safety of themselves or
any other person.
 Every employee must use safety equipment or clothing in a proper manner and
for the purpose intended.
 Any employee who intentionally or recklessly misuses anything supplied in the
interests of health and safety will be subject to disciplinary procedures.
 Every employee must work in accordance with any health and safety procedures,
instructions or training that has been given.
 No employee may undertake any task for which they have not been authorised
and for which they are not adequately trained.
 Every employee is required to bring to the attention of a responsible person any
perceived shortcoming in the Trust’s safety arrangements or any defects in work
equipment.
 All employees are under a duty to familiarise themselves with the Trust’s Health
and Safety Policies.
Risk Management
You will be required to ensure that you implement systems and procedures at a local level
to fulfill the requirements of the organisation’s Risk Management Strategy including local
management and resolution of complaints and concerns, management of SUIs/incidents
and near misses. Your specific responsibility for risk management will be clarified to you by
your manager at your local induction.
Emergency Planning
In accordance with the organisations responsibilities under the Civil Contingencies Act
2004, you may be required to undertake alternative duties as is reasonable directed at
alternative locations in the event of and for the duration of a significant internal incident,
major incident or flu pandemic.
Human Rights
You are required to comply with the regulations of the Human Rights Act 1998 during the
course of your employment.
Sustainable Development
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You will be required to demonstrate a personal commitment to the Trust’s Sustainable
Development Plan and to take personal responsibility for carrying-out your work duties in a
way which is compliant with this Plan.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Post: Clinical Scientist (Molecular Genetics)
Band: 7
Dept/ward: NE Thames Regional Genetics Laboratory
Division/Directorate: MDTS
REQUIREMENTS
CRITERIA
ESSENTIAL/
DESIRABLE
HOW
ASSESSED?
*
1. Education/
Qualifications/
Training
Degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or related
subject
E
AF/I
CMGS Certificate of Competence or appropriate
Postgraduate Degree & relevant experience
E
AF/I
Registration Certificate
Skilled in the use of molecular genetics techniques
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
Able to write protocols
E
AF/I
Able to write routine reports and complex reports
under supervision
E
AF/I
Able to establish new techniques including ability to
troubleshoot. Willing to adapt to changes in
methodology
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
E
AF/I
Able to communicate effectively both verbally, by
email and by appropriate documentation
E
AF/I
Experience with laboratory information management
systems
E
AF/I
Evidence of supervising/training other staff
E
AF/I
At least 2 years postgraduate experience in a
molecular genetics laboratory
E
AF/I
Publications/presentations
E
AF/I
Extensive knowledge of clinical molecular genetics
E
AF/I
2. Skills/Abilities
Computer literate, including use of DNA/Genetic
databases, analytical software
Familiar with ABI analysers, robotics
3. Experience
4. Knowledge
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and the delivery of a diagnostic service
5. Other
Requirements
Able to present data at departmental and interdepartmental meetings
E
AF/I
Accountability – Takes responsibility for own
actions and promotes good team working
Openness – Shares information and good practice
appropriately
Mutual respect – Treats others with courtesy and
respect at all times
* Key:
AF = Application Form
I = Interview
T = Test
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