Consultant Clinical Scientist

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust; England; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is looking for an enthusiastic Consultant Clinical Scientist in the Clinical Biochemistry Department. The role involves providing high-standard patient-focused services, leading quality management, and participating in the Duty Biochemist rota. Ideal candidates will possess a Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists and HCPC registration. A focus on teamwork and patient-centered care is essential. The position involves no out-of-hours on-call cover and offers a range of staff benefits, including pension scheme enrollment and onsite facilities. The department is fully accredited and well-equipped.

Benefits

NHS pension scheme

Access to onsite nurseries

Confidential Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge and experience in clinical biochemistry.
• No out-of-hours on-call cover is required.
• Ability to lead quality management and service improvement projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive, high standard patient-focused clinical laboratory service.
• Participate in the Duty Biochemist rota.
• Lead assay evaluations and update clinical audits.

Skills

Teamwork

Leadership

Patient-centered approach

Education

Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists

HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist after completing STP

Tools

Roche analyser lines

Sebia Capillary electrophoresis

Job description

Overview

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and dedicated Consultant Clinical Scientist (Agenda for Change Band 8C) in the Clinical Biochemistry Department at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. The Biochemistry department is located on the two main hospital sites, Eastbourne District General Hospital (EDGH) and Conquest Hospital Hastings. You will be based mainly at Conquest but expected to work across sites. East Sussex is a magnificent place to live surrounded by coastline and countryside. There is a frequent train service from Eastbourne/Hastings to Brighton and London.

The successful candidate will join a friendly team dedicated to providing a first-class, patient-centred service including the Department Clinical Director Consultant in Chemical Pathology/Metabolic Medicine, two part-time Consultant Chemical Pathologists, a Consultant Clinical Scientist and a Principal Clinical Scientist. The department offers all routine clinical biochemistry diagnostic tests including protein electrophoresis. We receive about 3,000 samples per day across both sites. Approximately 48% of the work is generated from the Trust and 52% from primary care and the community.

Responsibilities

• Be part of the Clinical and Scientific advisory team and provide a comprehensive, high standard patient-focused clinical laboratory service.
• Participate in the Duty Biochemist rota and protein electrophoresis reporting rota.
• Lead specific service improvement projects including new or existing assay evaluation and updating clinical audits, and develop or update protocols.
• Contribute to quality management and ensure the department meets nationally accepted standards including UKAS ISO 15189 Accreditation.
• Undertake the requirements of the role to skilled performance with a high level of individual responsibility.

Qualifications and Experience

• Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists.
• HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist after successfully completing the Scientist Training Programme (STP) in Clinical Biochemistry.
• Wide knowledge and experience in the field, strong teamwork, and the ability to lead a progressive, patient-focused laboratory service.
• A special interest in a particular area of clinical biochemistry would be encouraged. There will be no requirement to participate in out-of-hours on-call cover.

Benefits and Working Arrangements

• A wide range of staff benefits including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to the Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries, staff restaurants and accommodation.
• Access to an internal Occupational Health department and confidential Employee Assistance Programme (free psychological support).
• Onsite parking is available from £50 per year.
• Office accommodation: dedicated office at Conquest with PC and internet access; shared office at EDGH; administrative support provided.

Resources and Equipment

Facilities include Roche analyser lines, Uvicon spectrophotometers, Sebia Capillary electrophoresis, Hydrasys, Phoresis Scanner, HM-Jacks analyser, Osmometer, Chloride analyser, iSOFT APEX computer (shared across both sites), and other listed equipment. Eastbourne Site has Roche lines and Capillarys systems, HbA1c capability, and shared data systems described above.

Accreditation and Service Delivery

• The Clinical Biochemistry departments at Conquest and EDGH are integrated and fully accredited to UKAS ISO15189 (March 2025).
• We are proud to be an accredited IBMS Training Centre.
• The department provides outpatient clinics (lipid clinic and select metabolic cases) and Point of Care Testing (POCT) services across the two main hospitals and wider community. The POCT team includes two POCT coordinators, Registered BMS, four Support Assistants, with the Consultant Clinical Scientist as POCT Clinical Lead.
• The department supports 24/7 blood diagnostics and blood transfusion services, with a managed service contract and modern equipment.

Disability and Equality

Disability Confident employer—interview opportunities are offered to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria. Details are available in the employer policy and relevant recruitment information.