Biobank Sample Coordinator (Maternity Cover)

A maternity cover vacancy has arisen for a Biobank Sample Coordinator in the Heart, Lung and Critical Care (HLCC) Biobank, part of the Clinical Research Facility (CRF) of GSTT based in Chelsea, London. The CRF aims to increase the number of early phase trials in advanced lung diseases. The CRF comprises several core facilities including Sample Processing Laboratory (SPL), Heart, Lung and Critical Care (HLCC) Biobank, and Lung Function. Together these units conduct translational clinical research, in the form of commercial and academic clinical trials and research studies. Responsibilities include seeking consent from surgical patients for tissue donation. Sample processing, tracking and distribution of samples to research groups. All activities will be carried out in accordance with the Human Tissue Act 2004 and local research governance policies. The Biobank Sample Coordinator will be required to liaise with internal and external customers, including patients, researchers and commercial organisations. This is a fixed-term maternity cover post for 12 months. Should you require any further information regarding this post please contact Harshil Bhayani via email on [email protected], To be the leading national and international centre for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with heart and lung disease, creating and disseminating knowledge through research and education Core behaviours for all Trust staff

• Act with honesty and integrity at all times
• Demonstrate respect for others and value diversity
• Focus on the patient and internal and external customer at all times
• Make an active contribution to developing the service
• Learn from and share experience and knowledge
• Keep others informed of issues of importance and relevance
• Consciously review mistakes and successes to improve performance
• Act as ambassadors for their directorate and the Trust
• Be aware of the impact of their own behaviour on others
• Be discreet and aware of issues requiring confidentiality
Detailed job description and main responsibilities The Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Heart, Lung and Critical Care Clinical Group, part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, is licenced by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) for the collection, storage and distribution of biological specimens and data for research. This is carried out by the Heart, Lung and Critical Care (HLCC) Biobank (hereafter called the 'Biobank'). Responsibilities include the following activities: + Seek consent from patients, ensuring the correct consent procedure is followed + Collect samples from theatres, outpatients, wards as required. + Retrieve samples from the Diagnostic Archive. + Process samples. + Distribute samples to researchers. + Collect and record clinical data onto specified databases. + Liaise with external Biobank off-site facility. + Provide out of hours on-call cover for freezer breakdown. + Work across two hospital sites as required, + Communication is instrumental to the effective collection, storage and use of samples. The post-holder will: o Seek informed consent from patients, ensuring the correct consent procedure is followed. o Provide general verbal information to patients and families about the Biobank. o Liaise with clinical personnel (nursing, surgical, pathology) to ensure a smooth running of the sample collection service. · Contact and update researchers regarding availability of samples. · Provide pseudo-anonymised clinical data to research groups. · Contact couriers to book shipments. + Contact the external Biobank off-site storage facility to retrieve or send samples. + Participate in meetings and contribute to effective communication within and outside the CRF. + · Liaise with other team members regarding any issues affecting work continuity or quality. + Promptly communicate any difficulties, problems, accidents or incidents affecting the delivery of the service or the department to the Biobank Manager. + Promptly communicate all Health and Safety issues to the Biobank Manager. + Promptly report any incident which involves injury, or potential injury to hospital staff, or which could adversely affect patient welfare in any way to the Biobank Manager. + Ensure that all contact with patients, internal and external researchers, commercial organisations, and visitors to the Facility is courteous, helpful and professional. Patient/customer care (both direct and indirect) The post-holder will be required to liaise with internal and external customers; these will be patients, researchers, and commercial organisations. Specifically, the post-holder will: + Seek informed consent from patients, ensuring the correct consent procedure is followed. + Collect tissue and fluid samples from either theatre or outpatients + Retrieve samples from the Diagnostic Archive. + Process samples including tissue, blood, and sputum samples. + Retrieve appropriate clinical data relating to collected samples. + Distribute samples and data to approved researchers. + Send and retrieve samples from the external Biobank off-site facility. + Liaise with the Biobank Manager to address queries from researchers regarding samples. + Store and ship samples in accordance with IATA regulations. + Ensure an audit trail exists for all samples, from its receipt within the Biobank to its final destination. + Safely handle, use and dispose of patient tissue in accordance with the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) guidelines and hospital policies. + Safely handle, use and dispose of hazardous and/or radioactive chemicals. + Be familiar with The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) requirements for the handling of dangerous pathogens. + Maintain the liquid nitrogen stock for the laboratory, where necessary. + Become proficient in all areas of the Biobank work, and provide a comprehensive and appropriate laboratory service. + To understand and follow the laboratory standard operational and health and safety policies and procedures and ensure that safe working practices are maintained according to standard operating procedures. + Adapt to new methodology or working practices when required, due to changing circumstances. + Perform internal quality control and external quality assessment procedures and to report problems to the Biobank Manager. + Participate fully in the Department's quality assurance and audit programmes and assist in maintaining appropriate internal and external quality assurance records. + Ensure all work is compliant with regulatory frameworks to include: Maintaining compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) and all relevant SOPs, standards, and guidelines. + Assist with the writing, reviewing, and updating of departmental documents (e.g. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments) for all aspects of the activity of the laboratory. + Assist with the writing, reviewing, and updating of current Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessments and COSSH assessments on all new substances being introduced to the laboratory. + Maintain patient confidentiality. + Maintain an awareness of current developments especially with regard to any special areas of responsibility within the department. + Improve basic and specialist scientific expertise which may be achieved via Continuing Professional Development (CPD) within an appraisal programme and to maintain a portfolio of relevant professional development. + Undertake suitable training and development programmes to successfully acquire core competencies and thereafter maintain the required standards of competence when undertaking duties. + Ensuring that the Trust's core values are maintained by all Biobank staff. Analytical & Interpretive Responsibilities + Record data regarding sample receipt, processing, storage, shipping and tracking accurately and in a timely fashion onto lab worksheets and electronic databases such as LIMS (LabVantage) and MS Excel. + Be proficient in the use of Microsoft office applications such as Word and Excel. + Operate and maintain equipment in accordance with departmental and manufacturer's policies and procedures and make judgements about how to proceed in the event of a failure. Troubleshoot faults and take appropriate action when necessary, liaising with the Biobank Manager. + Resolve problems arising from routine work activities and refer unresolved problems to the Biobank Manager. Planning & Organisation + Screening & evaluation of eligibility of potential patients for participation in the Biobank. + Work unsupervised and organise own work tasks or activities and take responsibility for work done. + Take responsibility for task completion, or communicating handover of unfinished work to another member of the team. + Ensure that any work performed is carried out to the appropriate and agreed standards of timeliness, internal quality control and external assessment and accreditation authorities. Policy & Service development + Ensure that all Trust and departmental policies and procedures are implemented within areas of responsibility. + Contribute to the review and updating of the laboratory Standard Operating Procedures and Policies, providing advice on any possible errors, and suggesting possible improvements. + Assist with the production of Standard Operating Procedures for new procedures or equipment. Resource management + Assist in monitoring, ordering, and maintaining stock levels within the laboratory, ensuring that there is always a sufficient supply of reagents and consumables. + Assist in monitoring, ordering, and maintaining the supply of office equipment, including stationery and computer supplies. + Raise any issues of resource shortage with the Biobank Manager. People management + Cover for staff shortages to maintain the service. + Assist in the planning and execution of work in collaboration with colleagues. + Supervise work experience students, interns, or visitors to ensure their safety and wellbeing in the laboratory, and compliance with Trust and local policies. + Be familiar with the Trust and department health and safety policies and ensure that they are followed to maintain a safe working environment for all employees and visitors. Information management + Use the Trust's sample tracking database, LabVantage, to continually track and identify samples. + Use LabVantage to allocate unique identifiers and storage locations of samples. + Enter clinical data onto a secure database. + Retrieve anonymised clinical data to accompany samples when removed from storage. + Assist with the preparation of reports detailing sample collection, storage, and use. + Ensure all data is accurate. Research and development + To process samples including tissue, blood, and sputum samples. The post-holder will be required to assist with this and perform techniques including but not limited to: o Snap freezing of samples o Plasma separation o Serum separation o Tissue processing including using RNAlater and OCT + To assist with audits and inspections as required. + To maintain files of current protocols and patient information sheets/consent forms. + Be accountable for the documentation of Biobank data according to GCP guidelines. Further sections + To abide by the Trust's Core Behaviours for staff and all other Trust policies, codes and practices including standing financial instructions, research governance, clinical governance, patient and public involvement, codes and practices, and health and safety. Other duties + To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested. This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive. It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the post holder. Interview Date: TBC Guy's and St Thomas' celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study's at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership. Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy. As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends. Flexible working We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking in to account the individual's personal circumstances as well the needs of the service. We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the on-boarding process. Your e-mail address is important to us - We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis. Please apply for this post by clicking "Apply Online Now."

NHS AfC: Band 5 Guy's and St Thomas' is among the UK's busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services. Guy's is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup. St Thomas' has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Children's Hospital. Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions. Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients. In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research. We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of King's Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with King's College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities including an MHRA accredited Phase I clinical trials unit. Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of 'good'. Our adult community services achieved a rating of 'outstanding'. The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients. We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS., On 1st February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals became part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT) - a truly once in a generation development. Together, we are taking our first steps towards our vision of creating a brand-new centre of excellence, which will be the global leader in the research into and treatment of heart and lung disease in patients from pre-birth to old age. We are developing some exciting plans and we want you to join us - so come and help to change the shape of healthcare for our heart and lung patients world-wide.