Biological Specimen Coordinator

WTE 37.5 Hours Per Week Fixed Term for 12 months.

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is one of the world's leading cancer research centres. The Trust works in partnership with The Institute of Cancer Research to produce high quality basic research, translational studies and clinical trials with the aim of developing better treatments for the benefit of cancer patients worldwide.

As a result of unit expansion and portfolio development an exciting opportunity has arisen for a band 4 Biological Specimen Coordinator, within the haematology research department to work across our Sutton and Chelsea branches.

This is a pivotal role and you will be part of a multidisciplinary team including experienced medical and research staff, taking part in an exciting range of clinical research studies. Ideally with previous clinical research experience, you will work within the guidelines and policies for the conduct of clinical trials, ensuring high standards of practice in accordance with the principles of GCP.

For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Carol Pearce - Senior Biological Specimen Coordinator on

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work within the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust (the Trust) and the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) Tissue Collection Facility and be responsible, in conjunction with the other Biological Specimen Coordinator(s) within the Haematology Unit for collecting, logging, and processing clinical samples (usually tumour and blood specimens) belonging to the Haematology Clinical Trials Unit.

The post will be responsible for developing, implementing, and reviewing tracking systems for all tissue samples coming through the unit and will ensure all procedures meet with Human Tissue Act (HTA) requirements and Good Clinical Practice UK Regulations for hosted commercial/academic studies as well as all tissue retrieved for central review from all participating centres in the UK and globally for the Trusts sponsored studies running through the Haematology Unit.

Working for our organisation

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification

• To ensure the timely and efficient collection of tissue and fluid samples
• To send and retrieve samples from external Biobank facilities
• Distribute samples to research groups, laboratories, commercial and academic sponsors
• To ensure samples are packed, labelled and handled appropriately, according to IATA specification.
• Ensure the dispatch and retrieval of samples ambient or frozen (using dry ice) as requested via external courier services
• Retrieval of samples nationally and internationally and coordinating the receipt of these samples in a timely fashion to meet research study time points for central interim and final analysis as well as treatment decisions and diagnostic purposes.

Person specification Education/Qualifications

• Educated to A-level or equivalent
• Biomedical Science degree or equivalent experience

Experience

• Demonstrable laboratory experience in the techniques listed in the job description.
• Experience of working in a laboratory environment (preferably within a clinical/ hospital setting)
• Experience of database management

Skills Abilities/knowledge

• Venepuncture and/or cannulation skills

The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.

All applicants will be contacted by email to the address supplied on your application. Applicants are advised to check their email accounts regularly and to ensure that email filters are set to allow our emails.

Flu Vaccination - What We Expect of our Staff

At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.

The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.