Vaccine and Trials Research Laboratory Coordinator - #1099397

Main area

Vaccine and Trials Research Laboratory Coordinator

Grade

NHS AfC: Band 6

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Job ref

196-LIS8397

Employer

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Employer type

NHS

Site

St Thomas'

Town

London

Salary

£42,471 - £50,364 p.a. incl. HCA

Salary period

Yearly

Closing

05/05/2024 23:59

Interview date

17/05/2024

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.

This unique post offers an exciting opportunity to work as the Laboratory Coordinator for the Vaccine and Trials Research  Team  at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

The team manages a broad portfolio of Vaccine and Trials Research studies, requiring a comprehensive and high quality laboratory service including sample reception, preparation, processing, storage and shipment for samples collected as part of a complete portfolio of clinical trials of all phases and including in-patient, out-patient and healthy volunteer studies.
The post holder will have knowledge of a range of pre-analytical processing procedures and will be responsible for overseeing the processing and storage of clinical trial samples to the highest standard. This includes:

• receiving, sorting, labelling and processing samples;


• resolving issues such as mislabelled or missing specimens;


•  maintaining study data documentation;


• overseeing laboratory checks;


•  facilitating scheduled internal audits;


•  performing quality control checks on routine equipment;


• completing feasibility assessments and laboratory costings;


• contributing to COSHH and Risk Assessments


•  dealing with enquiries;


•  preparing weekly laboratory work schedule

The post holder will oversee equipment maintenance, repair and calibration. They will work with the CRF laboratory co-ordinator and ensure adherence to Temperature monitoring systems and processes related to fridge/freezer alarms and out-of-hours laboratory storage.

The post holder will have knowledge of a range of pre-analytical processing procedures and will be responsible for overseeing the processing and storage of clinical trial samples to the highest standard. This includes:

• receiving, sorting, labelling and processing samples;


• line management of a number of laboratory staff


• resolving issues such as mislabelled or missing specimens;


• maintaining study data documentation;


• overseeing laboratory checks;


• facilitating scheduled internal audits;


• performing quality control checks on routine equipment;


• completing feasibility assessments and laboratory costings;


• contributing to COSHH and Risk Assessments (as required and appropriate);


• dealing with enquiries;


• preparing weekly laboratory work schedules.

The R&D Department at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTFT) is one of the focal points for innovative research in London through its nationally recognised research portfolio and research infrastructure. We are systems leaders in NHS research with strong strategic partnerships across the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) and the Health Research Authority (HRA) and are active members of the organisations such as the Shelford Group, University Hospitals Association (previously AUKUH) and UKRD. Research is a top priority for the Trust which in 2021/22 was the top NHS organisation nationally for the number of NIHR portfolio studies open (417) and was the top recruiting organisation in South London (third nationally) recruiting over 19,000 participants into NIHR portfolio studies.

Our research infrastructure includes our NIHR Clinical Research Facility (CRF) located St Thomas’ Hospital, Guy’s Hospital, Evelina London Children’s Hospital and the Royal Brompton Hospital; the Guy’s Phase I unit is an MHRA Accredited Phase I Unit (1 of only 2 NHS managed Units in England). Within the Biomedical Hub at Guy’s Hospital, the NIHR CRF is co-located with our Advanced Therapies Manufacturing (GMP) Unit; the Advanced Therapies Accelerator houses our Immune Monitoring Platform and Genomics Platform.

Management
1. Manage the flow and organisation of work coming through the labs, ensuring that work is carried out in a timely and efficient manner, in accordance with the laboratory manual and to the appropriate standards and regulations for research and the use of human tissue.
2. Using the departmental database (CRF Manager), oversee the weekly laboratory schedule and coordinate the work of laboratory staff and service users to ensure the most economical use of resources, space and equipment.
3. Liaise with colleagues to ensure standardised lab checks are completed.
4. Oversee the booking of couriers and dry ice.
5. Contribute to the investigation of complaints pertaining to the CRF lab and report the findings to the CRF Management Team.
6. Plan and prioritise own workload making adjustments to plans according to unforeseen circumstances.
7. Appropriately and fairly delegate duties, tasks and responsibilities to Medical Lab Assistant(s) (MLA) and other members of the team.
8. Ensure the efficient use of laboratory consumables, chemicals and agents by monitoring stock levels (being aware of rotation, storage requirements, batch numbers and expiry dates) and being responsible for the ordering and preparation of consumables and reagents required for the laboratory. This will include the management of generic laboratory supplies and study specific laboratory/sample kits etc.
9. Purchase generic laboratory consumables.
10. Ensure all sample records are adequately stored and accessible by members of the research teams.
11. Track laboratory usage.
12. Ensure personal and laboratory compliance with national and local guidance regarding commercial confidentiality.
13. Ensure the laboratories are clean and tidy at all times and maintained to the required standard.

Equipment
1. Be responsible for the safe and effective use of laboratory equipment
2. Ensure fitness-for-purpose checks are performed on a regular basis on existing and newly purchased equipment.
3. Ensure Laboratory equipment, freezers and fridges are organised according to local policy and that they are maintained according to daily/weekly/monthly checks.
4. Proactively identify and manage issues relating to breakdown/unavailability of laboratory equipment, carry out corrective actions independently as appropriate and develop contingency plans as necessary.
5. Liaise with the Trust Estates and Facilities and Biomedical Engineering department regarding acceptance, installation and testing of laboratory equipment.
6. Take responsibility for ensuring Laboratory equipment repair, servicing and calibration occur within the set timeframe and documentary evidence of these visits is supplied and filed.
7. Be responsible for ensuring maintenance contracts and warranties are in place for laboratory equipment.
8. Participate in the evaluation of new equipment and service contracts.

Temperature controlled storage and monitoring
1. Ensure IMP, stock drugs, reagents, lab kits and samples are stored and/or shipped at appropriate temperatures as directed by manufacturer or sponsor.
2. Track storage of all temperature controlled items and report any out-of-range temperatures according to local SOPs and sponsor requirements.
3. Manage the continuous temperature monitoring system for all temperature controlled storage including drug preparation rooms and fridges and freezers for samples and medicinal products.

People management
1. Motivate, encourage and mentor lower banded Laboratory staff and Laboratory users.

2. Provide professional leadership for staff working within the Laboratories.
3. Provide the day-to-day supervision of Medical Laboratory Assistant(s) (MLA).
4. Provide appropriate induction, mentoring, supervision and input into the ongoing professional and personal development for team members.
5. Review and sign off on leave requests from direct reports always ensuring sufficient service provision during times of personal and staff leave.
6. Cover for staff shortages as far as is reasonable, in order to maintain the service.
7. Contribute to the recruitment of staff as required.
8. Oversee the training and development needs of lower banded Laboratory staff.
9. Ensure regulatory and Trust mandatory training is up to date for all direct reports.
10. Manage and undertake objective setting and annual performance development reviews (PDR) for direct reports.
11. Contribute to a working environment which encourages staff to identify concerns and speak up.

Corporate responsibilities
1. Contribute to the effective corporate leadership and management of the team
2. Help create a culture for the team underpinned by an ethos of continuous improvement.
3. Promote the BRC through own actions and visibility in the NIHR BRC and with key internal and external partners.
4. Work collaboratively with colleagues across the BRC and wider GSTFT and KCL to facilitate the achievement of objectives and shared learning.

Technical
1. 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.
2. Ensure personal, staff and laboratory users appropriate handling, use and disposal of patient/participant tissue in accordance with the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) guidelines.
3. Carry out sample receiving, preparation, processing, coding, logging and shipping, as set out in the study protocol and laboratory manual, adhering to current ICH Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP) guidelines and the Human Tissue Act.
4. Maintain concentration when performing complex sample processing, including multiple aliquot requirements to ensure the right sample is pipetted into the right numbered tubes and processing is completed within the sponsor specified time limits.
5. Be responsible for the appropriate and safe transport of research samples as dictated by each study.
6. Take responsibility for sample preparation accuracy for all samples processed in the laboratory.
7. Work with the Management Team to develop new laboratory services and expand the type of samples that can be processed in the Laboratory.

Study/trial feasibility and set up
1. Understand all new research protocols and lab manuals, identifying any aspects that may require additional feasibility testing or additional training for laboratory and research staff.
2. Provide advice regarding sample management pathways and internal/inter-departmental transport requirements.
3. Create study-specific SOPs and Work Instructions where required.
4. Consult sponsor and Quality Assurance team prior to implementation of locally created study documents.
5. Document the review of laboratory activities within the established on-boarding and study set up processes.
6. Contribute to the costing of all studies.
7. Ensure laboratory staff attendance at all Site Initiation Visits (SIV) for studies.

Health and Safety
1. Be responsible for providing new Laboratory users an Induction Programme, providing advice on safe waste disposal and decontamination, enhanced personal protection, and contamination management.
2. Work in a safe manner with regard to the safety of self and others, complying with appropriate Codes of Conduct and local safety rules.
3. Ensure safe handling and storage of hazardous materials in accordance with COSHH regulations.
4. Complete risk assessments of activity carried out in the sample laboratory adhering to Trust procedures and, where necessary, seek guidance from Trust Biological Safety Office (BSO)/Health and Safety team
5. Oversee the safe and compliant handling of human biological samples (including relevant material) using appropriate containment procedures. This may include working with limited risk Hazard Group 3 material such as samples positive for, COVID-19, HIV or Hepatitis B.
6. Disseminate and ensure compliance with study-specific risk management plans.
7. Be responsible for maintaining and updating the laboratory Health and Safety policies as required.
8. Be responsible for ensuring all staff using the laboratory have read and signed the appropriate policies and SOPs and completed the relevant lab training.
9. Be responsible for ensuring sufficient provision of PPE for all  laboratory users.
10. Report any accidents/incidents or ill health and failings in premises, equipment or personal protective equipment.

11. Work in accordance with good clinical laboratory practices and local safety and quality initiatives.
12. Oversee the removal of clinical waste.
13. Notify management team of any changes required to waste management processes.
14. Deal with spillage of samples/chemicals in a safe and appropriate manner when necessary.

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."

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.