Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our expanding laboratory team at the NIHR / Wellcome Trust Birmingham Clinical Research Facility (CRF) as a Research Technician. The CRF provides a high quality clinical environment in which patients and healthy subjects can participate in research programmes safely according to robust, ethically approved trial protocols.

The post holder should have experience in a Clinical or Research Laboratory, and be confident to train and supervise junior staff as well as demonstrating the ability to resolve laboratory based issues. Good interpersonal skills are required to collect samples from a varied clinical environment, then communicate effectively with clinical and scientific staff about subsequent processing, storage or shipping. The sample pathway through the laboratory needs to be accurately catalogued, so attention to detail is essential. Experience of isolating cells such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is also desirable.

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Main duties of the job

The role requires using standard operating procedures and study specific laboratory manuals to carry out pre-analytical processing for Clinical Trials and studies. This often involves more complex processing including erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESRs) and the isolation of cells such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Shipping samples by couriers in accordance UN3373 regulations either ambient, refrigerated or frozen.

Ensuring all procedures are carried out within GCP and GLP guidelines.

The role will require supervision and training of junior staff, ensuring all samples are processed within the critical times outlined in the laboratory manual.

Good interpersonal skills are required to resolve issues with clinical, scientific and external companies including commercial laboratories and couriers.

Current working hours are hours Monday to Friday, consisting of three 08:00 till 18:00 shifts, one 08:00 till 17:30 shift, with a day off.

About us

We are recognised as one of the leading NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK. Our vision is to Build Healthier Lives, and we recognise that we need incredible staff to do this.

Our commitment to our staff is to create the best place for them to work, and we are dedicated to:

Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can;Offer our staff a wide variety of training and development opportunities, to support their personal and career development objectives.

UHB is committed to ensuring that our staff are treated fairly and feel that they belong, by creating a kind and inclusive environment. This is about equity of opportunity; removing all barriers, including discrimination and ensuring each individual member of staff reach their true potential, achieve their ambitions and thrive in their work. This is more than words. We are taking action. Our commitment to an inclusive culture is embedded at all levels of the organisation where every voice is heard, driven by our diverse and active staff networks, and at Board level by the Fairness Taskforce led by our CEO. We nurture a culture which empowers staff to challenge discriminatory behaviours and to enable people to bring their 'whole self' to a kinder, more connected and bold place to work.

University Hospitals Birmingham is a Smoke-Free premises hospital.

Job description

Job responsibilities

*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

*NVQ L3 in scientific/healthcare related discipline or equivalent experience plus additional theoretical or applied training in specific discipline to diploma equivalent level *Sound Knowledge and understanding of principles and practises of Good Clinical Practise relating to sample handling and receipting.

Experience

Essential

*Recent experience in a routine diagnostic Clinical or research laboratory *Knowledge of clinical trials ethics and R&D application processes *Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice and Research Governance

Additional Criteria

Essential

*Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing *Ability to work flexibly when workload dictates *Well organised and able to prioritise tasks *Ability to work alone or as a team member *Ability to work on own initiative/unsupervised *Good technical laboratory skills *Awareness of laboratory H&S *Appreciation of Quality systems *Good computer skills with an understanding of data entry *Good interpersonal skills *Use of Word, Excel, Use of power point, Databases *Ability to work in a team and unsupervised *Able to demonstrate reliability, honesty, respect and be innovative.