Senior Clinical Scientist

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in London seeks an enthusiastic Clinical Scientist to join their Clinical Biochemistry Department. This 1-year fixed-term role involves interpreting clinical results, contributing to research, and developing specialist knowledge. Suitable for registered Clinical Scientists or those expected to complete training by September 2025. Competitive salary and supportive environment offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years working as a Pre-Registration Clinical Scientist.
• Experience in research, development, and audit.
• Ability to supervise and train more junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Advise on interpretation of clinical biochemistry results.
• Participate in the Duty Biochemist rota and report results.
• Attend clinical meetings to advise on laboratory investigations.

Skills

General clinical biochemistry service

Clinical reasoning

Communication skills

Analytical equipment functioning

IT skills for data management

Education

Honours degree in Biochemistry

Masters degree in Clinical Biochemistry

Registration as a Clinical Scientist

Job description

Job summary

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic individual to join our team in the Clinical Biochemistry Department at St George's University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. We have funding for a 1-year fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave. The role will enable your development as a Clinical Scientist, build on your broad range of experience in Clinical Biochemistry and provide scientific input into both the core automated and the specialist laboratories of the Biochemistry department, specifically LC-MS/MS and other specialist sections. Ideally, the post is suitable for a registered Clinical Scientist, but we would also welcome applications from candidates who are due to finish STP training by September 2025.

Main duties

The successful candidate will join our existing friendly team at St George's Hospital, comprising a Consultant Chemical Pathologist, a Consultant Clinical Scientist, three Principal Clinical Scientists, and one Senior Clinical Scientist. You will participate in the clinical advisory and authorisation rota and will be encouraged to develop an area of specialised knowledge. In addition, you will contribute to research, development, and audit relevant to the Clinical Biochemistry service. It is an exciting time to join SWLP with the introduction of new automated equipment and the expansion of the specialist chemistry services. The successful candidate will have opportunities for involvement in a number of network projects related to these service developments. The Biochemistry Department at St George's Hospital comprises a large, automated laboratory, which currently functions as the GP hub for the South West London Pathology network, and the specialist chemistry laboratories, which perform renal stone analysis, Apo E genotyping, ALP isoenzymes and an increasing repertoire of HPLC and LC-MS/MS assays.

About us

South West London Pathology (SWLP) is an award-winning pathology partnership between four leading Hospital Trusts - St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust and Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals. The network provides an integrated, high-quality pathology service for hospitals and GPs across South West London.

St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the regional specialist care provider for South West London, Surrey and beyond, serving a population of around 5 million. The trust provides comprehensive health services, including outpatient rapid diagnostic and treatment facilities, a minor injuries unit, limb fitting services and 70 beds for elderly, intermediate care and rehabilitation. Services are also provided at Queen Mary's Hospital in Roehampton.

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To discuss and advise clinicians and other healthcare workers, including senior medical staff, on the interpretation of clinical biochemistry results (e.g., differential diagnosis, appropriate test selection, monitoring and therapeutic drug monitoring). This may involve instigation of additional tests appropriate for an individual patient. In more complex cases, seek advice from consultant staff in Clinical Biochemistry.
2. To participate in the Duty Biochemist rota, undertake detailed interpretation, authorisation and reporting of patient results, and advise clinical colleagues on test selection and timing. Respond to clinical queries during this time and refer to Consultant staff when necessary.
3. To attend clinical meetings with other departments and relevant MDTs to advise on the availability and interpretation of laboratory investigations.
4. To determine the validity of sending samples to external laboratories when requirements exceed the laboratory repertoire; liaise with external laboratories regarding suitability of samples for analysis.
5. To contribute to the development of strategies and guidelines for laboratory investigations in conjunction with laboratory colleagues and after consultation with users of the service.
6. Please refer to the attached detailed job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Honours degree in Biochemistry (or related subject)
• Masters degree in Clinical Biochemistry
• Registration as a Clinical Scientist with Healthcare Professions Council (HCPC)

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 3 years working as a Pre-Registration Clinical Scientist
• Experience of participating in research, development and audit

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Experience of general clinical biochemistry service
• Able to demonstrate clinical reasoning and interpretation
• Detailed knowledge of Clinical Biochemistry
• Ability to perform (or troubleshoot) complex analytical equipment
• IT skills for manipulation, management and presentation of laboratory data
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to communicate complex information and results to other healthcare professionals
• Ability to supervise and train more junior staff

Other relevant requirements

Essential

• Able to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team and manage conflicting priorities with frequent urgent interruptions
• Commitment to CPD and professional development
• Ability to concentrate for long periods, carry out tests and authorise results
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Flexibility to meet service requirements
• Prolonged use of VDU and periods of light effort
• Work in areas of biological risk, exposure to biological/chemical hazards, bodily fluids and faecal material
• High degree of precision and hand-eye coordination for use of analytical instrumentation

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For more information please see.

Additional information

Employer details

Employer name

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St. George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, Tooting, SW17 0QT

Employer's website

St George's Hospital website (not provided in original)