Research Technician (Maternity Cover)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The SPL receives biological samples from patients in clinical trials and research studies. Its role is to process, and then either ship or store, the samples according to trial protocols. Typical sample types include blood, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), nasal and bronchial brushes, nasal and throat swabs, urine, and stool. The SPL is a busy department and the post holder is expected to work efficiently and accurately to a high standard, and in a collegiate fashion with the rest of the local and wider teams.

Responsibilities include:

• Receive, in a trackable manner, human clinical trial and academic research samples from study nurses, co-ordinators or researchers using the CRF.
• Process samples in strict accordance with SOPs
• Ship and track biological specimens sent for analysis and to research partners
• Participate in laboratory rotas e.g. cleaning.
• Perform core scientific and interpretive work.
• Record clinical data onto specified databases.
• Liaise with researchers performing clinical trials and research studies to ensure smooth running of the sample processing and biobanking services.
• Work flexible hours when required to allow patient samples to be received, processed and shipped or stored.
• Participate in the out-of-hours on-call cover for fridge and freezer breakdown.
• Develop and improve professional expertise and specialist skills as the CRF requirements develop.
• Take responsibility for their own continual personal and professional development

Communication

• Liaise with researchers performing clinical trials to ensure smooth and efficient running of the service.
• Liaise with other team members including the Senior Research Technician and Laboratory Manager regarding any issues affecting work continuity or quality.
• Contact couriers to book shipments for clinical trial samples.
• Provide advice, explanation of results, and instruction to both internal and external researchers.
• Participate in laboratory meetings and contribute to effective communication within and outside the CRF.
• Attend the departmental Quality Assessment meetings and actively participate in the monitoring, assessment, and improvement of the quality of the laboratory’s performance.
• Promptly communicate any difficulties, problems, accidents or incidents affecting the delivery of the service or the department to the Laboratory Manager.
• Promptly communicate all Health and Safety issues to the Sample Laboratory 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 Laboratory Manager.
• Ensure that all contact with patients, internal and external researchers, commercial organisations, and visitors to the Facility is courteous, helpful and professional.
• Ensure all work is compliant with our regulatory framework
• Liaise with clinical personnel in order to ensure a smooth running of the sample collection service

Patient/customer care (both direct and indirect)

The post-holder will be required to liaise with internal and external customers, typically researchers and other staff from academic and commercial organisations. Specifically:

• Liaise with the Laboratory Manager to address queries from researchers regarding samples.
• Receive, in a trackable manner, human clinical trial samples from CRF nurses or researchers using the Clinical Research Facility (CRF).
• Process samples including blood, sputum, broncho-alveolar lavage, nasal and bronchial brushings, nasal and throat swabs, saliva, urine, stool.
• Ensure that specimens and forms are adequately labelled before being accepted into the laboratory and to resolve problems arising from incorrectly or inadequately labelled specimens and forms.
• Perform techniques including serum/plasma/PBMC separation and cryopreservation, antibody staining for flow cytometry, preparation and analysis of cytospins, cell culture, nucleic acid extraction.
• Store and ship samples according to study protocols and in accordance with IATA regulations.
• Ensure an audit trail exists for all samples, from their receipt within the SPL to their final destination.
• Safely handle, use and dispose of patient tissue in accordance with the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) guidelines.
• 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 SPL’s 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 Laboratory Manager.
• Participate fully in the Department’s quality assurance and audit programmes and assist in maintaining appropriate internal and external quality assurance records.
• 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 SPL and Biobank.
• Assist with the writing, reviewing and updating of current Care of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessments and COSSH assessments on all new substances being introduced to the SPL and Biobank.
• Maintain patient and commercial 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.

Analytical & Interpretive Responsibilities

• Record data regarding sample receipt, processing, storage, shipping and tracking accurately and in a timely fashion onto laboratory worksheets or electronic databases such as LabVantage or Microsoft Access.
• 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 Senior Research Technician or Laboratory Manager.
• Resolve problems arising from routine work activities and refer unresolved problems to the Laboratory Manager.

 Planning & Organisation

• Work unsupervised and organise own work tasks or activities; 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

• Contribute to the review, updating and creation of laboratory Standard Operating Procedures and Policies, providing advice on any possible errors and suggesting possible improvements.

Resource management

• Ensure that there is always a sufficient supply of reagents and consumables

• Raise any issues of resource shortage with the Laboratory Manager

People management

• Cover for staff shortages as far as is reasonable, in order 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
• Be familiar with the core and key Trust policies
• To carry out the duties and responsibilities of the post having due regard to the Trust's Equal Opportunities Policy and Health and Race Strategy.

Information management

• To be competent in the use of:
  • the Laboratory Information Management Systems, LabVantage.
  • Microsoft Word, Excel, Access
  • the laboratory’s records and archiving procedures.

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.