Senior Clinical Scientist (Biochemistry)

Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Biomedical Scientist in Biochemistry to join their pathology services. The role involves developing laboratory services, interpreting results, and providing clinical advice. Candidates must hold a Biochemistry degree, be registered with the Health Professions Council, and have significant post-graduate experience. The successful applicant will work primarily at Broomfield Hospital, ensuring quality service delivery and compliance with protocols.

Qualifications

• At least 4 years post-graduate experience in Biochemistry.
• Awareness of scientific development and modern technology in biochemistry.
• Experience of liaison with medical staff concerning service provision.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee laboratory services.
• Provide interpretation of results and advice to medical staff.
• Clinically authorise and validate patient test results.

Skills

Clinical biochemistry interpretation

Clinical liaison

Quality control monitoring

Education

1st or 2nd class honours degree in Biochemistry

Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health Professions Council

Masters degree or equivalent knowledge

Job description

Job Overview

Here is an exciting opportunity to join our pathology services working alongside our Consultant Clinical Biochemist as a Senior Biomedical Scientist in Biochemistry. The successful candidate will be based at Broomfield Hospital with occasional cover at Basildon, Southend Hospital, and the Synlab Hub. If you are interested in the role and believe you hold the qualities we require, then apply today!

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Be involved in the development and oversight of the laboratory services.
• Participate in the duty Biochemist day rota and provide interpretation of results and advice on biochemistry tests to Clinical Staff and General Practitioners.
• Participate in regular clinical audit.
• Act as a clinical liaison, assigned to individual directorates or Primary Care Trusts to establish close collaboration.
• Take specific responsibility within one of the specialist services.
• Maintain and continuously update technical skills.
• Carry out evaluations of new methods and pieces of equipment when required.
• Engage in monitoring the quality and efficiency of service delivery via internal quality control, local and national audit activities.

Detailed Responsibilities

• Clinically authorise results and add interpretative comments proactively and reactively.
• Provide a clinical advisory service supervised by the Consultant, including guidance on interpretation and selection of further tests.
• Periodically review the laboratory repertoire to ensure it is clinically appropriate.
• Clinically authorise and validate patient test results, providing complex biochemistry interpretation.
• Discuss and advise clinicians on complex results, differential diagnosis, monitoring, therapy changes and further investigations.
• Follow up individual patients and institute additional investigations when necessary.
• Recognise and communicate any clinically urgent test results to appropriate medical or nursing staff.
• Investigate any erroneous or unusual patient test results.
• Ensure timely reporting of patient results so patient care is not compromised.
• Investigate, report and record all errors and untoward incidents following Trust protocols.

Clinical liaison and advisory duties will be performed under the supervision of an experienced Registered Practitioner until the candidate is HCPC registered.

Working for Our Organisation

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers. We aim to recruit the finest specialist staff across the Trust.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Essential criteria:
  • 1st or 2nd class honours degree in Biochemistry or assessed equivalent knowledge.
  • Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health Professions Council, or pre‑registration within 6 months of submission of the final portfolio.
  • Completed the Scientist training programme in Biochemistry.
  • Masters degree or equivalent of knowledge.
• Desirable criteria:
  • PhD in a relevant speciality.

Knowledge and Experience

• Essential criteria:
  • At least 4 years post‑graduate experience in Biochemistry.
  • Awareness of scientific development and modern technology in biochemistry.
  • Broad and up‑to‑date knowledge of biochemistry, demonstrated by progress towards FRCPath qualification.
  • Experience of liaison with medical staff concerning service provision and data interpretation.
• Desirable criteria:
  • Enhanced knowledge and experience of dealing with and resolving analytical problems in Biochemistry.

Important Information

Please be aware that, as per the new Immigration guidelines, we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Please note that the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values. The use of AI in applications is monitored, and applicants must declare on their application if AI has been used.

Applicant Requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) and to Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service.