Principal Clinical Biochemist

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a clinical scientist (registered or within 6 months) to join our team in a busy and highly automated hub laboratory providing high quality 24/7 biochemistry services across 3 Hospitals and GPs in the South of Tyne and Wear area.

This post is funded full time but we are willing to consider part-time or other flexible working arrangements.

This post is ideal for someone who wants to further develop their career beyond HCPC registration in a large multi-site department that offers a wide range of experiences. Full training will be given in all aspects of the service by our experienced team of clinical biochemists, two consultant clinical scientists (band 8D), 3 principal scientists (8A-8B) (including 1 HSST) and an STP trainee.

Ideally, we are looking for experienced candidates for band 8A, who have successfully completed Part 1 FRCPath, but we will consider those who are recently registered or who are nearing registration for band 7 with automatic progression to band 8a on passing part 1. We are approved by the NSHCS for STP and HSST training and have an excellent reputation for supporting clinical biochemists throughout FRCPath and on to more senior posts.

All Pathology labs at Gateshead are fully accredited to ISO 15189 and the POCT service is one of very few accredited to ISO 22870. The department also provides two high quality regional screening services for bowel and cervical cancer serving a population of more than 8 million.

Main duties of the job

To provide an advisory and interpretive service in all aspects of Clinical Biochemistry to users, clinicians, GPs and other healthcare professionals.

To take a role in research, development and the provision of specialised, non-routine diagnostic services.

To develop an area of specialised analysis/testing within the Laboratory.

There are ample opportunities for service development and research in pathology. In addition to the full range of blood sciences and microbiology automated equipment, we have a Diasorin Liaison, DS automated ELISA, two Waters LC tandem MS analysers, several Roche high throughput molecular diagnostics analysers and FTIR spectroscopy for our specialist renal calculi service. Our clinical biochemistry team also lead the protein and urine electrophoresis service (Helena).

There are many opportunities for clinical biochemists to take up senior leadership and/or training and education roles within pathology and there is a high level of support for development activity.

About us

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.