Band 8b - Principal Clinical Scientist, Chemical Pathology

Westhertshospitals; Watford; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a Principal Clinical Scientist in Chemical Pathology to lead laboratory services, develop quality systems, and provide comprehensive support in clinical biochemistry. The ideal candidate will have advanced qualifications, experience, and a desire to innovate in patient care.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Continual professional development support

Recognition in staff wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Chemical Pathology required.
• Experience at advanced practitioner level and registered clinical scientist.
• Knowledge in metabolic medicine and analytical techniques is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Proteins section of the laboratory.
• Develop methods and protocols, and participate in clinical teaching.
• Ensure quality management compliant with ISO standards.

Skills

Human biochemistry

Quality assurance

Clinical governance

Analytical methods

Problem solving

Education

First Degree

Master’s Degree in Clinical Biochemistry

Registration with HCPC

Fellow of Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath)

PhD

Job description

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Band 8b - Principal Clinical Scientist, Chemical Pathology

Band 8b

Main area Chemical Pathology Grade Band 8b Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week Job ref 360-C-6944-B

Department name West Herts - General Staffing Site Watford and Hemel Hempstead General Hospital Town Watford Salary £64,337 - £74,415 pa inc HCA Salary period Yearly Closing 01/07/2025 23:59

Job overview

Do you thrive in a fast-paced, challenging environment? You can make an impact with us as our next Band 8b Clinical Scientist in Chemical Pathology.

We invite applications from suitably qualified and experienced applicants, with significant experience of working in a busy Chemical Pathology Department.

The successful candidate will be expected to be an experienced HCPC Registered Clinical Scientist in Clinical Biochemistry and have successfully completed the Part 1 FRCPath examination.

Those with part 1 FRCPath who are actively working towards obtaining part 2 FRCPath are encouraged to apply. This post will provide full support in preparing for part 2 FRCPath.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is expected to lead the Proteins section of the laboratory and play a major role in the departments Quality Management System.

They will also be expected to undertake method development, protocol development and clinical liaison including ‘duty’ biochemist.

They will work closely with IT as data analyst. They will contribute to medical teaching and training both trainee clinical scientist and biomedical scientist.

The appointee will assist the Head of Department and other members of the Consultant team in providing a comprehensive, cost effective and high-quality Chemical Pathology service in our laboratories which is compliant to ISO15189:2012 standard.

The department are actively working to the ISO15189:2022 standard. The appointee will represent the Chemical Pathology Department at relevant Trust and Pathology meetings and will contribute to service improvement as well as facilitating delivery of current service provision across the department.

Working for our organisation

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

There is a full 24/7 hour acute/urgent analytical service at Watford General Hospital and a Monday to Friday, 08:00 am to 20:00 pm, non-urgent service provided at the Hemel Hempstead site.

The successful candidate is expected to work across sites as required. The post holder will be expected to participate in the on-call roster for the provision of clinical advice out of hours after appropriate training.

The laboratory is fully automated using Roche Cobas platform for automated chemistry, Siemens Atellica platform for immunochemistry and Sebia system for protein electrophoresis.

The Trust is committed to the personal development of its staff at all levels.

A new shared pathology network is being created with pathology colleagues across the local Integrated Care System (ICS) including East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB). Health Services Laboratories (HSL) is the newly appointed provider for this forthcoming shared networked pathology service.

This role requires working closely with Consultants, Team Leaders, Quality Leads, and Chemical Pathology operation manager and Blood Sciences manager.

Person specification

Education and qualifications:

• First Degree or assessed equivalent of knowledge and expertise.
• Master’s Degree or assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise in speciality of Clinical Biochemistry.
• Fellow of Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) as required for Medical Consultant.
• Demonstration of Continuing Professional Development at agreed level of participation.
• Registration as a clinical scientist with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• PhD.

Knowledge:

• To have a thorough knowledge of human biochemistry and chemistry including metabolic processes, physiology, pharmacology and drug interference.
• To have a sound basic knowledge in other areas of Pathology.
• To have an extensive knowledge of routine and specialised analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving.
• Able to perform risk assessments on a variety of laboratory situations.
• Fully conversant with COSHH regulations and their application to laboratories.
• To have knowledge of metabolic medicine in adults, children and neonates including inherited disorders, endocrinology disease and toxicology.
• Able to perform clinical risk assessments and resolve problems or investigate complaints relating to the service as part of Clinical Governance.
• Extensive knowledge of national professional and NHS guidelines relating to service provision and quality.
• Knowledge of resource allocations and procurement.
• To have expert knowledge in a highly specialised area e.g. Protein electrophoresis, chromatography, endocrinology.
• To have expert knowledge in a specialised area.
• Knowledge by experience of national committees of profession of NHS or international groups.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience as a Registered Clinical Scientist, including substantial practice at an advanced practitioner level (8A).
• To have attained status as a national or international expert or adviser.
• To have developed an expertise in one or more specialised analytical or clinical areas to a point of acting at an expert level within the Trust.
• To have attained a good record of achievement in research, development and audit activities, through presentations at national or international conferences and publication in peer reviewed journals.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. The Trust also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hertfordshire.

As an employer of nearly 6,000 people the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.