Candidates should possess extensive knowledge of stem cell biology and related biological sciences such as immunology and cryopreservation, along with a thorough understanding of national and international regulations governing stem cell processing. The role requires flexibility to manage unexpected procedures, participation in an extended hours rota, and a focus on patient care. Responsibilities include interpreting complex laboratory results, managing clinical materials, and initiating research and audit activities. Additionally, the Senior Biomedical Scientist will oversee the safe storage and distribution of cells for transplantation, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the ever expanding Stem Cell Laboratory's team at King's College Hospital NHS Trust. It is expected that this service will move early in 2025 to a nearby state-of-the-art new facility. The successful candidate will help to maintain standards and staff competency in this challenging transition period.
The post holder will be required to assist in the provision of a comprehensive and appropriate Bone Marrow transplant service and will take a lead on facilitating clinical trials for patients from Haematology and other Trust departments.
Working in a clean-room environment to process bone marrow, stem cells and cord blood for patient transplant, this post holder will be an experienced senior scientist providing training, direction and leadership to junior team members.
The post holder is expected to be fully conversant with all the national and international regulations in place for stem cell processing and those likely to come into force from agencies such as MHRA, HTA and JACIE. The post holder will be expected not only to have scientific knowledge of stem cell biology, but also to have knowledge of other biological sciences such as immunology, microbiology, cell culture, cryopreservation and molecular biology to supplement their core knowledge base.
A degree of flexibility is required to process collections which run late or are emergency procedures which were not planned or expected. The laboratory is also looking to move to extended hours rota covering weekends, and participation in the rota will be expected by all members of staff.
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Assess the clinical relevance and importance of diagnostic test requests, work in progress and test results
Use highly specialist interpretative skills to determine clinical significance of complex laboratory results and take appropriate action including:
o Authorisation of laboratory investigations. o Preparation, examination and reporting of flow cytometry results related cell enumeration (including but not limited to CD34+ cells and CD3+ cells)o Ordering relevant follow-up laboratory procedures. o Adding relevant technical and clinically relevant comments.o Referring results for second opinion. o Informing medical staff of clinically significant results.
Efficient management of patients' clinical material and maintenance of a safe ethical system of storage especially in liquid nitrogen vapour phase storage.
Provide approved departmental information and advice to other healthcare professionals, and refer on to appropriate specialists requests for information.
Verify unexpected results and to ensure that the correct pre-analytical procedures were performed and to request repeat collection where necessary.
To bring urgent, markedly abnormal or unexpected results to the attention of the requesting clinician or other appropriate person as soon as possible.
Ensure work is completed timely and to required standards: results are reported within the agreed turnaround times and in accordance with the relevant Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
To be aware of the clinical implications of the service provided and to assist in ensuring that the department is centred on patient care and the patient pathway.
To be involved in the reporting of accidents and near misses via Q-pulse/Datix/HTA or any other appropriate platform and the subsequent investigation
Initiate and contribute to audit and research and development activities and encourage and enable all staff to do the same.
Facilitate and participate in research and development activity and ensure that all activity undertaken is within the Trusts policy.
To take responsibility for the receipt, storage and distribution of AT(I)MPs
To maintain the emergency back-up systems for the ultra-low temperature storage facility containing cells for transplantation.
To take responsibility for the issue of cells for transplantation to wards.
Delegate work when appropriate and supervise the scientific and technical work of subordinate staff.
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