Principle Clinical Scientist

NHS; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS is seeking a Principal Clinical Scientist based in London to oversee the Molecular Cytogenetics section. This role involves managing clinical laboratory tests, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and providing clinical advice while fostering collaboration within the healthcare community. Candidates should be HCPC registered with relevant cytogenomic experience.

Qualifications

• HCPC registered Clinical Scientist with relevant experience.
• Experience in Cytogenomic analysis desired.
• Advantageous to have previous management experience and RCPath qualification.

Responsibilities

• Deputise and oversee the Molecular cytogenetics department.
• Responsible for clinical laboratory tests and service quality.
• Provide clinical advice and develop networks.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical decision-making

Problem-solving

Education

Honours degree in a scientific subject

MSc in relevant discipline or equivalent level of knowledge

PhD or FRCPath Part 1

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an aspiring leader to take their career to the next level.

The successful candidate will be a Principal Clinical Scientist at Band 8A (or above) and oversee the Molecular Cytogenetics section as Deputy manager to ensure the provision of a high quality and timely service.

We are looking for applicants who are HCPC registered Clinical Scientists (NHS band 7 equivalent or above) and have significant experience of working within Cytogenomic ideally with either Rare Disease or Cancer Genomics background. Previous analytical experience of molecular cytogenomic techniques such as microarray analysis and report writing is desired. Previous management experience and RCPath qualification (equivalent or working towards) are advantageous.

This is a permanent full-time post with the potential for a flexible working from home hybrid balance.

Main duties of the job

• To deputise and oversee the running of the Molecular cytogenetics department in liaison with the Molecular cytogenetics manager.
• To be responsible for the organisation and performance of clinical laboratory tests.
• To drive service innovation & continuous quality improvement
• Carry out report signatory/authorisation for standard & complex Cytogenomic reports.
• To provide clinical advice to a range of health professionals and to develop networks and collaborations.
• To assist in the leadership of the cytogenomics team and contribute to the overall management and direction of the Department.
• To carry out cytogenomic analysis and report compilation on a range of specimen types.
• To participate in the review, recruitment, training, and development of less experienced staff members.
• To participate in multidisciplinary meetings with clinicians and pathologists to discuss cases and contribute to management of outcomes
• To maintain high quality standards in compliance with best practice guidelines and participate in internal and external quality control schemes such as GENQA and ISO 15189 accreditation.

Qualifications / training required

Honours degree in a scientific subject MSc in relevant discipline or equivalent level of knowledge. HCPC Registration as a Clinical Scientist with evidence of further specialist training.

PhD or FRCPath Part 1

For further details please contact Rebecca Watts at [e-mail]

About us

Sonic Healthcareis an internationally renowned healthcare provider with a demonstrable track record of medical services across the world. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, Sonic is an ASX Top 50 company that has grown to become one of the worlds leading healthcare providers, specialising in pathology, radiology and primary care medical centres. We have operations in Australia, the USA, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand.

Sonic Healthcare UKencompasses the two main entities in the UK, The Doctors Laboratory (TDL) and Health Services Laboratories (HSL). HSL is a partnership between The Doctors Laboratory (TDL), Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH). HSL was formed to provide pathology services to the NHS Trusts and has expanded further to provide services to other NHS Trusts. Over 2,500 staff work at Sonic Healthcare UK, primarily under the TDL or HSL banner.

Our purpose is to deliver medically-led diagnostics, innovation, value and long-term investment to healthcare. With our core laboratory based at The Halo Building in London WC1H 9AX, we also have an expanding site in Manchester as well as smaller hospital-based laboratories across the country. We maintain rigorously high standards of quality, whilst also delivering efficiencies to healthcare through careful workforce planning, pioneering technology and significant investment in infrastructure and IT.

Job responsibilities

Overall, Job Purpose

To deputise and oversee the running of the Molecular cytogenetics department in liaisonwith the Molecular cytogenetics manager.Carry out report signatory/authorisation for standard & complex Cytogenomic reports.

To provide clinical advice to a range of health professionals and be able to develop networksand collaborations with other health professionals and to present work at scientific meetings.

To assist in the leadership of the cytogenomics team and, through collaboration with thesenior scientific management team, contribute to the overall management and direction ofthe Department.

To participate in clinical decision-making and contribute to the improvement of servicequality and innovation.

To maintain the highest professional and scientific standards in the department.

To carry out cytogenomic analysis and report compilation on a range of specimen types(when required).If required, to perform the role of case complete (duty scientist for the analysis section),ensuring samples are scanned, analysed & prioritised correctly and appropriate follow uptests are initiated (where relevant) so that samples can be reported accurately and in atimely manner.

To participate in the training and development of less experienced staff members.

To adhere to current regulations as defined in the Employee Handbook and to behave in amanner compliant with Sonic Core Values.

Main Duties

To include, but not be restricted to, the following duties:

1. To undertake diligent cytogenomic analysis, checking, report writing andsignatory/authorisation on a range of specimen types.

2. To participate in clinical decision making, such as test suitability, prioritisation,analytical requirements and need for further studies where appropriate.

3. To be responsible for the organisation and performance of clinical laboratory testsand liaise with colleagues to ensure target deadlines are met.

4.To ensure the accuracy and timeliness of patient results.

5. To demonstrate advanced problem-solving skills in relation to any matters which mayaffect service provision or quality, including incident investigations.

6. To maintain the highest professional and scientific standards in the department.

7. To assist in the leadership of the cytogenomics team and, through collaboration withthe senior scientific management team, contribute to the overall management anddirection of the Department.

8. To conduct staff AJRs, provide training and guidance and assist in staffing &workflow management, including recruitment when required.

9. To provide clinical advice to a range of health professionals and be able to developnetworks and collaborations with other health professionals and to present work atscientific meetings.

10. Contribute to the development of policies and practices within the department byparticipating in departmental committees or working groups.

11. To participate in clinical decision-making and contribute to the improvement ofservice quality and innovation.

12. To participate in multidisciplinary meetings with clinicians and pathologists to discusscases and contribute to management of outcomes.

13. To take part in Joint Annual Reviews, to attend laboratory meetings, participate indepartmental audits, training seminars, monthly training reviews and CPD activitiesas required.

14. To participate in creating and monitoring effective internal quality control schemesand to participate in external schemes e.g. GENQA and ISO 15189 accreditation.

15. To maintain high quality standards in compliance with best practice guidelines, localpolicies, the Quality Management Group and ISO 15189.

16. To protect the health and safety of departmental staff and ensure compliance withthe Company safety policy and legal requirements under the guidance of the Health& Safety Officer.

17. To be familiar with the laboratory IT system as appropriate for the discharge of yourduties.

18. To adhere to and actively promote the Sonic/HSL Core Values.

Commit to service excellence.

Treat others with respect and honesty. To grow a workplace where trust, teamspirit, and equity are an integral part of everything we do.

Demonstrate responsibility and accountability. To set an example, to takeownership of each situation to the best of our ability, and to seek help whenneeded.

Be enthusiastic about continuous improvement. To never be complacent, torecognise limitations and opportunities for ourselves and processes; and learnthrough these.

Maintain confidentiality. To keep all information pertaining to patients, as well asprofessional and commercial issues, in strict confidence.

19. To communicate in a friendly, helpful and non-prejudicial manner in your dealingswith staff and service users as you will be regarded as a representative of yourdepartment as well as the company, and you should behave accordingly. Mattersregarding patients are confidential and must not be discussed except in the course ofyour duties. You will be expected to sign an undertaking to observe all patient andcompany confidentiality.

20. To be aware of and abide by the rules and codes of conduct of the company. Tobehave in a professional and responsible manner and always co-operate with allother members of staff.

21. To undertake other duties as specified by the HOD and the TDL/HSL GeneticsLaboratory Management team.

Person Specification

Experience

• Relevant experience of working within the cytogenetic/genetics field as a clinical scientist.
• Experience of staff management.
• Experience of G-band cytogenomic analysis of constitutional cases.
• Experience of Haemato-oncology/ microarrays or NGS is advantageous but not required.
• Experience of clinical decision-making interpretation and report composition.
• Ability to perform case complete role.
• Experience of contribution to laboratory quality in line with ISO 15189.
• Active participation in CPD and ability to train/advise less experienced staff members.

Additional Circumstances

• Commitment to working the hours required to fulfil the job.
• Flexible, highly motivated, methodical, ability to understand and meet targets and deadlines, able to learn and assimilate new information.
• Ability to troubleshoot, innovate and improve service quality.
• Professional, reliable, efficient and well organised.

Additional Circumstances

• Commitment to working the hours required to fulfil the job.

Qualifications

• Science degree or equivalent.
• Completion of ACS or AHCS approved or equivalent genetic training scheme.
• HCPC registration.
• FRCpath part 1 or evidence of working towards preferred.

Practical and Intellectual Skills

• Excellent scientific & clinical knowledge.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Ability in clinical decision-making.
• Excellent organisational skills/ability to prioritise work.
• Ability to follow documented procedures accurately