Senior Clinical Scientist (Microbiology)

Integrated Care System; North East; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in England is seeking a Senior Clinical Scientist in Microbiology. The successful candidate will lead diagnostic services and contribute to infection prevention. Ideal applicants will have at least a Master's degree in Microbiology and experience in laboratory settings. This role provides a competitive salary between £47,810 to £54,710 per annum and emphasizes quality assurance and governance.

Qualifications

• Registered as a Clinical Scientist with the HCPC.
• Experience as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6).
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical advice on infectious diseases.
• Conduct and oversee laboratory tests.
• Participate in quality assurance and governance activities.

Skills

Microbiology expertise

Infection prevention knowledge

Laboratory techniques

Data analysis skills

Education

1st or upper 2nd class honours degree in Microbiology

MSc in Microbiology

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Computer software

Job description

Go back County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Clinical Scientist (Microbiology)

The closing date is 06 August 2025

Applications are invited for a HCPC registered ClinicalScientist to join the microbiology team at County Durham and DarlingtonFoundation NHS trust. The successful applicant will join a dedicated andenthusiastic clinical & scientific team providing specialist infectionservices within County Durham.

CDDFT Pathology is embracing change and this is anopportunity to help shape the service. New equipment and laboratory informationsystems are in the pipeline for delivery within the next 2 years as part of ourmodernisation programme. If you have vision and dynamism, we want you to help drivethis exciting period of change by further developing our service alongside ourclinical & scientific workforce.

The service provides a wide range ofmicrobiology, virology and serology testing to a population of 650,000 acrossCounty Durham and Darlington. Working closely with the scientific team andclinical staff across the trust and primary care settings you will help toprovide a clinical diagnostic, scientific and advice service, supporting a 24/7laboratory.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will join a team of ConsultantMicrobiologists and Specialty Doctors in providing clinical advice and guidanceon: infectious diseases; the diagnosis, treatment & management ofinfections; infection prevention & control (IPC) and antimicrobialstewardship to the trust, GPs, clinics and services across County Durham. Youwill also work collaboratively with the department senior scientific andmanagement team to provide a comprehensive scientific service (analytical andinterpretative) by the microbiology department to nationally acceptedstandards.

The post holder will bring specialist clinical andscientific expertise to the clinical microbiology service with the opportunityto expand and develop their practice, and the service, through research anddevelopment. The successful candidate will have a key role in the training anddevelopment of scientific and junior clinical colleagues along with other staffgroups and service users. Maintaining a high quality service is a priority forthe department and the post holder will be expected to lead on, and participatein, quality assurance and governance activities to support this.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

Over reliance onAI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances ofsuccess

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two yearsof experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to considersponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria andhave a current visa expiring within 3 months)

Job responsibilities

The post holder will:

Participate in the work of the department in clinicalliaison, laboratory activities and infection prevention & control, undersupervision of the consultant microbiologists or consultant clinicalscientists. This includes but not limited to: authorisation of laboratoryreports, handling telephone enquiries from clinicians, attending MDTs andparticipating in ward rounds.

Participate in the clinical microbiology rota: interpretationlaboratory results and taking appropriate action e.g. authorisation of results,ordering relevant follow-up laboratory procedures, adding technical andclinically relevant comments, identifying erroneous results, referring resultsfor an expert opinion, informing the requestor of clinically significantresults.

Liaise closely with clinical colleagues concerning thediagnosis and management of patients, attending regular meetings and MDTs asrequired.

Perform routine and specialist diagnostic tests includingthe use of complex laboratory equipment and specialist analysers.

Maintain high standards of laboratory practice, overseeingquality assurance processes, troubleshooting diagnostic assays and contributingto the selection and implementation of new technologies and procedures.

Assist in the development and implementation of localpolicies and procedures in line with best practice and national guidance.

Lead and participate in quality activities and reviewmeetings, contributing to continuous improvement within the department.

Effectively communicate with clinical, scientific andmanagerial staff at all levels within the County Durham and Darlington NHSFoundation Trust and with other service users and partner agencies.

Work effectively within pathology to promote an integratedand effective laboratory service in County Durham and Darlington NHS FoundationTrust while maintaining good staff relationships and morale.

Establish and maintain networks with professional, clinicaland managerial colleagues within this Trust and beyond it nationally, to ensureprovision of a comprehensive, appropriate microbiology service which meets theneeds of service users.

Prepare and present complex scientific and clinicalinformation arising from research or audit at local, national and internationalconferences. Challenging with confidenceestablished scientific and clinical views using reasoned argument, personalknowledge and research findings.

Present clinical case studies, research findings,statistical data, analytical developments, audit results and teaching materialsto large groups of professional staff through departmental seminars, hospitalclinical meetings and external scientific meetings.

Have responsibility for clinical or non-clinical researchand development including audit, carrying out regular R&D projects towardsimproved patient care e.g. development and implementation of newmicrobiological diagnostic methods as a major requirement of the role.

Deliver and participate in structured training programmes,maintain professional competencies, and contribute to formal education sessions.

Have responsibility for the training anddevelopment of departmental colleagues including scientific and junior clinicalstaff. Will contribute to the training and development of other staff groups,including service users, in the field of infection sciences.

Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Highly specialist expertise underpinned by theoretical knowledge & experience following completion of specialty training.
• Understanding of specialist healthcare science activities.
• Thorough knowledge of microbiology, infection sciences and infection prevention & control.
• Knowledge of complex facts or situations, requiring analysis, interpretation, comparison of option analysis and interpretation of test / investigation results.
• Provides specialist / highly specialist clinical technical services.
• Provides specialist, clinical and scientific advice to clinicians.
• Undertakes, screens and interprets diagnostic tests, including use of specialist equipment.
• Knowledge of and training in research, development and audit techniques. Regularly undertakes research and audit work to facilitate service improvements.
• Use of a wide range of analytical methods, techniques and instrumentation
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of quality assurance requirements for results and laboratory operations.
• Computer skills and statistics.
• Data entry, text processing or storage of data; regular requirement to use computer software to interpret reports.
• Good planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to train, supervise and support other members of the team.
• Good time management skills, including working under pressure to deadlines.

Qualifications

• 1st or upper 2nd class honours degree in Microbiology or highly related infection science subject
• MSc in Microbiology, or highly related infection science subject, or subject assessed equivalent knowledge.
• Successful certified completion of a formal postgraduate training program approved as appropriate for registration as a Clinical Scientist with the HCPC e.g. STP program or equivalence portfolio.
• Demonstration of continued professional development

Experience

• Appropriate relevant experience as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6), trainee Clinical Scientist, or equivalent in a microbiology or infection sciences department.
• Knowledge and experience of implementing new techniques / equipment into laboratory including validation and verification procedures.
• Basic knowledge of managerial processes and structures within the NHS.
• Implementation of policies and procedures.
• Proposal and implementation of changes to practices for area.
• Experience with quality processes including UKAS 15189 standards and accreditation.
• Experience of operational workflow efficiencies.
• Experience of specialized areas within infection sciences including virology and molecular tests.
• Experience of infection prevention and control including outbreak management.

Special Requirements

• Physical Skills:
• Good hand eye co-ordination / manual dexterity for fine manipulation of instrumentation and manual laboratory techniques.
• Personal Attributes:
• Able to maintain self-control in difficult and challenging situations and to take control of situations where more junior staff are in difficulty.
• Self-confidence, positive attitude and self- motivation.
• Reliable and conscientious, good attention to detail.
• Good communication & interpersonal skills
• Role Specific
• Supervision of staff including leading the team within own work area and junior clinical colleagues / trainees.
• Practical and specialist training for departmental or other staff groups.
• Frequent exposure to unpleasant conditions including handling of contained or controlled hazardous materials, contact with body fluids and human derived samples.
• Long periods of concentration for tests, investigations & reports including microscopy or equivalent work for lengthy periods with frequent interruptions for urgent tests
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours (across a 24/7 service) across any Trust site as required.

Statutory Registration

• Registered as a Clinical Scientist with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)

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.

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

£47,810 to £54,710 a yearper annum, pro rata