University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Clinical Scientist (Biochemistry)

The closing date is 12 August 2025

Job summary

Join our dynamic and forward-thinking Biochemistry and Immunology team at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust as a Clinical Scientist.

The post-holder will be responsible for overseeing, directing and ensuring clinical and scientific quality of all aspects of the automation, special chemistry and immunology sections of the department. They will form part of a team with consultant pathologists and clinical scientists for clinical aspects, and operational technical leads, and will lead on demand management and service development for the blood science section primarily based at St Richard's, Worthing and Southlands Hospitals.

Main duties of the job

The blood sciences department performs a wide range of tests including automated chemistry, special chemistry, immunology, haematology, coagulation, serology and referral of genetic testing. There will be clinical and operational experts in all fields but this post is envisioned to focus on supporting demand management, adoption and development of new pathways to improve clinical service, efficiency or sustainability, and clinical support e.g. for direct user liaison, complaints, quality, attendance at multi-disciplinary, governance, or management meetings.

The post holder will practice autonomously within their defined specialty (either chemistry or immunology specialist as per training) to provide patient centred quality care. This will encompass the skills of advanced clinical diagnosis within an agreed scope of practice. They will act as a specialist resource and provide specialist advice in relation to care of patients in their speciality. The post holder will provide a range of educational and training programmes for the multidisciplinary team. The postholder will be able to ensure strategies are translated into robust implementation plans and ensure department meets both corporate priorities and those of the Pathology network.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programmefor staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate information pack - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Details

Date posted

07 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

279-7294441-AUG25

Job locations

St Richard’s Hospital(Main site)

Spitalfield Ln

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the detailed job description and main responsibilities, please see the detailed job description and person spec included with this vacancy

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the detailed job description and main responsibilities, please see the detailed job description and person spec included with this vacancy

Person Specification

Professional Registration

Essential

  • Registered as a Clinical Scientist with the Health Professions Council with significant experience post registration

Desirable

  • Working towards the examinations to gain entrance of, The Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath)

Experience/Qualifications

Essential

  • To have a thorough knowledge of human biochemistry and chemistry, or immunology, including metabolic processes, physiology and pharmacology.
  • To have a good knowledge of analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving. To have a basic knowledge of managerial procedures in general

Skills

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate highly developed technical skills and ability to perform complex analytical procedures.
  • Experience of carrying out independent research and audit.
  • Competency in the use of a variety of analytical procedures
  • To be able to disseminate highly sensitive, complex and potentially contentious information to large audiences.

Desirable

  • Experience of training scientific and technical staff.
  • Competency in the use of specialist equipment such as manual colorimetric assays, electrophoresis OR immunofluorescence

People Management & Develoment

Desirable

  • Experience of supervision of technical staff.
  • Experience of teaching and training technical skills.

Specific Requirements

Essential

  • Experience of validating and authorising results from complex/difficult analyses
  • Experience of communicating and discussing results with clinicians.
  • Experience of adding clinical comments to reports. and initiating further clinical investigations.
  • To be able to use a variety of different software for the analysis of test results and the generation of clinical reports, on a daily basis.

Desirable

  • Experience of interpreting serum protein electrophoresis
  • Expert level of knowledge and skills in area of specialism.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusuion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
Person Specification

Professional Registration

Essential

  • Registered as a Clinical Scientist with the Health Professions Council with significant experience post registration

Desirable

  • Working towards the examinations to gain entrance of, The Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath)

Experience/Qualifications

Essential

  • To have a thorough knowledge of human biochemistry and chemistry, or immunology, including metabolic processes, physiology and pharmacology.
  • To have a good knowledge of analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving. To have a basic knowledge of managerial procedures in general

Skills

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate highly developed technical skills and ability to perform complex analytical procedures.
  • Experience of carrying out independent research and audit.
  • Competency in the use of a variety of analytical procedures
  • To be able to disseminate highly sensitive, complex and potentially contentious information to large audiences.

Desirable

  • Experience of training scientific and technical staff.
  • Competency in the use of specialist equipment such as manual colorimetric assays, electrophoresis OR immunofluorescence

People Management & Develoment

Desirable

  • Experience of supervision of technical staff.
  • Experience of teaching and training technical skills.

Specific Requirements

Essential

  • Experience of validating and authorising results from complex/difficult analyses
  • Experience of communicating and discussing results with clinicians.
  • Experience of adding clinical comments to reports. and initiating further clinical investigations.
  • To be able to use a variety of different software for the analysis of test results and the generation of clinical reports, on a daily basis.

Desirable

  • Experience of interpreting serum protein electrophoresis
  • Expert level of knowledge and skills in area of specialism.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusuion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St Richard’s Hospital(Main site)

Spitalfield Ln

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St Richard’s Hospital(Main site)

Spitalfield Ln

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Lead BMS Automated Chemistry

Aidan Wickham

aidan.wickham@nhs.net

07538881044

Details

Date posted

07 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

279-7294441-AUG25

Job locations

St Richard’s Hospital(Main site)

Spitalfield Ln

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)'s privacy notice (opens in a new tab)