Clinical Scientist, Virology

NHS; Coventry; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Coventry is seeking a Clinical Scientist in Virology to support laboratory and clinical teams. You'll ensure accurate reporting of results, contribute to research, and provide teaching to medical professionals. This role requires an MSc in Microbiology and current HCPC registration. Weekend on-call participation is necessary. An exciting opportunity for professional growth awaits you.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of Grade A or STP training.
• Current registration with HCPC as a clinical scientist.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical, technical, and supervisory support within a diagnostic virology laboratory.
• Collaborate with clinical colleagues to manage patient care.
• Participate in research and clinical audits.

Education

MSc in Microbiology or related subject

Job description

Overview

Go back University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Clinical Scientist, Virology

The closing date is 07 October 2025

We are looking for a Clinical Scientist in Virology to work with the existing clinical and laboratory teams in the delivery of the clinical (including infection control) and laboratory service (including service development and training).

There will be a requirement to join a weekend on-call service. This is currently delivered remotely from home, although there may be the rare occasion that on-site attendance may be required.

The minimum entry requirements to this post are successful completion of Grade A or STP training, MSc in Microbiology or related subject and current registration with HCPC as a clinical scientist.

Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Services (CWPS) is a Pathology Network, set up in 2008, and combining the Pathology Services of three Trusts, namely George Eliot NHS Trust (GEH) at Nuneaton, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW) in Coventry & South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) in Warwick.

The viral serology services are located at the GEH laboratory while the Molecular diagnostics laboratory services is centralised at the UHCW site in Coventry This is where the clinical team is based although travel to other sites will be required.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job

The role involves providing clinical, technical, and supervisory support within a diagnostic virology laboratory, under the guidance of senior consultants. The successful candidate will play a key role in clinical liaison, laboratory operations, and infection control, ensuring the accurate interpretation and timely reporting of laboratory results. The position also includes collaborating with clinical colleagues to manage patient care and contribute to the teaching of medical students, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Additionally, the role encompasses involvement in research, clinical audits, and departmental quality improvement activities, with opportunities to participate in leadership and policy development.

In a technical capacity, the role requires applying specialized knowledge in diagnostic virology to troubleshoot assays, ensure adherence to good laboratory practices, and maintain high standards of quality assurance. The candidate will prioritize workload to meet national and local performance targets and actively contribute to the development of new techniques, equipment, and working practices. Participation in pan-pathology projects, preparing reports, and updating standard operating procedures are also key aspects of the position. The role includes participation in the weekend rota and involvement in clinical incident reporting.

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Job responsibilities

This is an excellent opportunity for professional growth, offering exposure to a variety of clinical, scientific, and leadership activities in a dynamic laboratory setting.

• Participate in the work of the department in clinical liaison, laboratory and infection control, under supervision of the consultants.. This includes but not limited to: authorisation of laboratory reports, dealing with telephone enquiries from clinicians, attending MDTs and participating in ward rounds.
• Interpret laboratory results and take appropriate action e.g. authorisation of results, ordering relevant follow-up laboratory procedures, adding technical and clinically relevant comments, referring results for an expert opinion, informing the requestor of clinically significant results.
• Liaise closely with clinical colleagues concerning the diagnosis and management of patients.
• Contribute to the teaching of other members of staff across the trust such as medical students, nurses, and allied health-care professionals.
• Participate in research and development.
• Actively participate in journal club, research meetings and attend relevant scientific meetings.
• Be involved in clinical audits.
• Attend appropriate senior staff and management meetings and be involved (initially under supervision) in the planning of departmental policies and developing leadership qualities to implement them.
• Contribute to the production of business cases for the department.
• Use DATIX for reporting clinical incidents.
• Weekend working: the post-holder is required to participate fully in the weekend rota.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• See supporting documents

Experience

• See supporting documents
• See supporting documents

Knowledge

• See supporting documents

Skills

• See supporting documents

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• See supporting documents

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Address

University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire

University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire