Biochemistry Clinical Scientist

London North West Healthcare NHS Trust; London Borough of Harrow; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in London is seeking a Clinical Scientist for a 12-month fixed-term position at Northwick Park Hospital. The role includes providing consultative support, implementing quality improvement projects, and developing expertise in clinical biochemistry. The ideal candidate will hold an MSc in Clinical Biochemistry and HCPC registration, with a minimum of four years' laboratory experience. Commitment to equal opportunities is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years post graduate laboratory experience.
• Experience in planning and carrying out audits.
• Extensive specific Clinical Biochemistry knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Assist Clinical Lead in providing consultative clinical biochemistry service.
• Provide advice on biochemical investigations and their interpretation.
• Develop expertise in protein electrophoresis.

Skills

Developed analytical skills

Supervised laboratory medicine research

Advising on biochemical investigations

Recognizing patterns of abnormality

Education

MSc Degree in Clinical Biochemistry

Registration as a clinical scientist with Health Care Professions Council

FRCPath Part 1 or evidence of working towards Fellowship

Job description

Overview

Careers at LNWH
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond. Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people. We run major acute services at Northwick Park Hospital, St Mark's Hospital, Ealing Hospital and Central Middlesex Hospital. We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.

Find out more about our Trust and why you should join us – #WeAreLNWH

Our HEART values and Trust Staff Benefits explain how we work and what we offer. Our vision is to put "Quality at our HEART" and is driven by our HEART values and behaviours, developed with our staff.

We are a flexible working friendly organisation and will consider arrangements such as job share or part-time patterns where possible.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Northwick Park Hospital in the Biochemistry service. We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to join our team of supportive Clinical Scientists. This is a 12 month fixed term position to cover maternity leave. Northwick Park Hospital offers opportunities for scientific learning and development, with good links to our clinical teams and interesting cases.

Main duties of the job

• To assist the Clinical Lead and liaise with colleagues in the Laboratory Biomedical Scientist team to ensure the department provides a comprehensive, consultative and accredited clinical biochemistry service.
• The role includes a close working relationship with the Laboratory staff employed by TDL (The Doctors Laboratory) and with users of the LNWH Clinical Biochemistry department; this includes primary care and other users of the service using facilities within the laboratories.
• To provide clinical and scientific advice to clinicians regarding biochemical investigations and their interpretation.
• To collaborate in the development, study and laboratory control of new methods of treatment and investigation, including participating in audit and research programmes to improve the quality of patient care.
• To be professionally accountable for provision of the clinical service and use evidence based practice, audits and published research to improve the service.
• To acquire and develop knowledge of local and national clinical governance and risk management strategies.
• To develop expertise and take clinical responsibility for protein electrophoresis.

Working for our organisation

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond. Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people. We run major acute services at:

• Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country, with a full range of services including a hyper-acute stroke unit and rehabilitation units.
• St Mark's Hospital: internationally renowned for bowel disease.
• Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital with 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and Meadow House Hospice.
• Central Middlesex Hospital: planned care site with surgical and outpatient services and an urgent care centre.

We are a university teaching NHS trust, contributing to training clinicians of the future and advancing research for public benefit.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To view the main responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Person specification

Qualifications

• MSc Degree in Clinical Biochemistry
• Registration as a clinical scientist with Health Care Professions Council
• FRCPath Part 1 or evidence of working towards the Fellowship examination of the Royal College of Pathologists

Desirable criteria

• Relevant PhD

Experience

Essential criteria

• Minimum 4 years post graduate laboratory experience
• Experience of planning and carrying out audits

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of experience in providing comprehensive professional advice relating to Clinical Biochemistry, such as NICE, Health Technology Assessments and recommendations from Royal Colleges and Professional Associations

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Extensive specific Clinical Biochemistry and general scientific knowledge, training, experience or expertise to Doctorate level or equivalent
• Evidence of expert knowledge in one or more specialist analytical and clinical areas
• Knowledge of the principles of protein electrophoresis

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of involvement in development of laboratory services

Skills

Essential criteria

• Developed analytical (technical) skills in general and specialised areas
• Able to undertake supervised laboratory medicine research
• Able to advise medical and nursing staff on investigations and interpretations of biochemical and metabolic processes (with back-up from more senior staff)
• Able to recognise patterns of abnormality and relate them to clinical situations and assess differential diagnoses

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. Posts working with vulnerable groups will require an enhanced criminal records check and ongoing updates throughout employment.

Please note: the Trust uses identity checking software for verifying identity documents.

Equality and diversity

As part of our commitment to Equality and Diversity at LNWUH, we encourage applications from Black, Minority Ethnic (BME) candidates to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve.

Documents to download

• Principal Clinical Scientist JD (PDF, 536.3KB)
• Principal Clinical Scientist PS (PDF, 536.3KB)
• Guidance for applying (PDF, 914.7KB)
• HEART values (PDF, 158.5KB)