GT working systems in the Liverpool laboratory

Fiona CoyneRegional Molecular Genetics LaboratoryLiverpool

Where we started from…….

• In the beginning…1991 - Everyone did everything!– Workload was divided up by the scientific staff

• 1996 – workload decided weekly at the lab meeting, but often the same

people would set up the same disorders.

• 1999– Formal rotation introduced

Move to rotation

• Decided to try a formal rotation system:

1) To make organisation of the workload easier

2) To give staff the opportunity to gain experience in all core diseases currently offered by the laboratory.

• At this time sample receipt and DNA extraction were not part of the rotation system.

First Rota

• Oct 1999

• Diseases were organised into 5 groups

• 2 MTO2 staff and 1 Clinical Scientist

• MTO2s had 2 groups each and Scientist had 1 group plus responsibility for reporting

First Rota

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5

Frax SCA CF Sexing FA

DM HCT HD HP Mits

SMA (SSCP)

DMD (Mplex & linkage)

PWS/AS HMSN (dosage)

FAP

First rota

•Only the main disorders were on rotation

•Other disorders were covered by individual scientists

•Over the years there have been lots of changes to the format of the rota

•We are now on version 14

Rota 2002

•2002 sample receipt and DNA extraction was included in the rota

•This gave us more flexibility and also:•cover for holidays and sickness•ability to maintain staff competencies

•At this time the rota was for 4 MTO2 staff

Rota 2002

•On a monthly basis one MTO2 would be in the extraction room.

•They would then rotate onto 3 months on a disease based group.

•In 1 year any one MTO2 would:• spend 3 periods of 1 month on DNA extraction• 3 periods of 3 months on 2 different disease based groups

Rota 2005

•Staff numbers increased

•Rota changed into a 5 GT rota in 2005

•Rotation pattern changed to 1 month DNA extraction followed by 4 months on a disease based group.

•At the same time lead scientists for each group were introduced

Example of rotation system

Jan-09 Feb-09 Mar-09 Apr-09 May-09 Jun-09 Jul-09 Aug-09 Sep-09 Oct-09

1 1 DNA ext 2 2 2 2 DNA ext 3 3

2 2 2 DNA ext 3 3 3 3 DNA ext 4

3 3 3 3 DNA ext 4 4 4 4 DNA ext

DNA ext 4 4 4 4 DNA ext 1 1 1 1

4 DNA ext 1 1 1 1 DNA ext 2 2 2

Diseases covered by each group

How reporting is organised

Rota

•Not all diseases are on rotation

•New tests are usually set up one of the scientists andGT working together

•When validated added to one of the groups.

•Depending on the workload, some of the practical work carried out by the lead scientist.

From October 5 2009…

• We are starting a new 6 GT rota

• Aneuploidy screen has been taken out of group 4– Now carried out on a monthly basis along with responsibility for

Jak2 and Gilberts testing and DNA exports.

The new rota

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May2 2 2 D Q 3 3 34 4 4 Q D 1 1 1Q 1 1 1 1 D Q 2D 3 3 3 3 Q D 41 D Q 2 2 2 2 D3 Q D 4 4 4 4 Q

We also hope that the GT on Aneuploidy screening will be ableto give support to the GT on DNA extraction during busy periods.

Feedback

• At the end of each 4 month rotation the lead scientist fills in a GT feedback form.

• And gives the GT information about their strengths and weaknesses

• This form records any developmental work the GT has been involved in

• The form is kept as part of GTs record for KSF / CPD

GT Feedback Form

Summary

• The rotation system used in Liverpool is updated regularly to– Reflect changes in staff numbers– Reflect changes in sample numbers for each disorder– Take account of genotypes and workload units generated by

each disorder

Summary

• The rotation system:– Gives GT staff variety in the disorders they work on– Helps to maintain staff competencies– Helps to provide cover for staff absence– Gives GT staff the opportunity to work and communicate with a

range of scientific staff.– Keeps staff happy!