Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities will be undertaken from the following:

IT / Informatics

·       Support and develop the role of IT and informatics in the day-to-day running of the Genetics Laboratories in order to maximise the department’s efficiency and impact.

·       Give day to day advice, guidance and training on IT / Informatics issues and act within appropriate guidelines, following Trust and departmental policies and procedures.

·       Act as the technical lead on minor works and projects, identifying tasks, timescales, liaising and coordinating required resources and work across multiple teams.

·       Be responsible for troubleshooting IT issues (software, hardware, network and communications) within the department and either resolve or escalate to more senior informatics staff or to the Trust IM&T department, monitoring progress as appropriate. To include identifying root causes, implementing fixes, and testing and presenting technical solution scenarios for consideration.

·       Be responsible for completing the installation of hardware and software as required, including assembly and moving of computer equipment between locations (a degree of manual handling will be involved).  Configure computers to run specialist software and maintain software updates.

·       Manage the department’s IT asset log.

·       Perform various maintenance tasks on the LIMS and LIMS servers (e.g. adding new tests, troubleshooting login and reporting issues). Maintain data integrity on LIMS and other databases and ensure records are up to date and complete.

·       Assist with development, testing, implementation, documentation and maintenance of the LIMS and other software.

·       Perform ad-hoc audits / queries on Laboratory data under supervision of more senior informatics staff.

·       Prioritise and plan work schedules around service requirements to ensure minimum disruption to ongoing service provision.

·       SOP writing and review in areas relevant to own practice.

·       Attend, and actively participate in, team and laboratory meetings with opportunity to propose improvements in efficiency and changes to scientific and technical protocols, and to contribute to the development and implementation of departmental policies within the limits of experience.

Staff

• Participate in the teaching and training of new members of staff or less experienced employees in own work area by demonstrating own work activities and routine practice.

·       Advise other staff in areas such as sample processing on LIMS, basic troubleshooting, organisation of work, setting up of IT equipment and software.

Research and Service Development

·       Assist clinical scientists in research and development projects which meet the overall objectives of the department.

Personal Development

·       Participate in and attend in house training at postgraduate level for the development and maintenance of skills, knowledge and expertise required for the post (e.g. literature reviews, seminars, to present own work on relevant topics).

General

·       Abide by all operational policies applicable to the department.

• Co-operate with management and safety representatives in matters connected with the Health and Safety at Work Act of Practice for safety in laboratories.

• Take responsibility for the accuracy of his/her own work. The post holder will collaborate with all other staff, to be an effective team member, and achieve optimal use of resources.

• Participate in internal quality control and internal and external quality assessment procedures.

• Work to ensure achievement of and adherence to the standards required of an accredited laboratory, in close liaison with the Quality Manager and under the direction of the team and laboratory Director.

• Participate in the preparation of the department for accreditation.

• Implement record keeping processes and assist with retrieval and presentation of data as required.

• Participate in regular performance review and personal development planning.

• Maintain confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with Data Protection Act of 2018.

• Participate in out of hours duties, if required, in line with the department out of hours policy.

• Work such hours as required for the effective and timely performance of his/her duties, as specified in the terms of the contract of employment.

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with experience and job role as a result of changes to the service as agreed by the Consultant Head of Laboratory or Trust and reviewed as part of the annual staff appraisal.