Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join the Clinical Biochemistry Department of Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW). We welcome part time applications and offer a range of flexible working options. You should have completed or be very near to completion of formal preregistration STP training. Ideally you will have or be very close to obtaining registration as a Clinical Scientist with the HCPC.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will become part of our dynamic clinical team of Clinical Scientists and Consultant Chemical Pathologists. A significant part of the role will include participation in the Duty Biochemist rota, input into the Clinical Biochemistry laboratories, service development, quality management, and attending Multi-Disciplinary Meetings (MDMs).
We actively participate in case discussions, relevant CPD activities and training towards obtaining FRCPath.We are part of the Kent & Medway Pathology Network (KMPN), with East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust and North Kent Pathology Services, where we benefit from clinical and professional interactions. There are regular journal clubs and weekly clinical case meetings that all Clinical Scientists attend.
About us
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
- At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
- Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
- Blue Light card eligibility
- And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Job description
Job responsibilities
Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Standard Level.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date has been agreed.
Working for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust/NKPS you will be part of the Kent and Medway Pathology Network (South 8 Network - Kent and Medway Pathology Network is made up of seven laboratories across three pathology services in four acute Trusts. For more information on the network please see the attached document
Job description
Job responsibilities
Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Standard Level.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date has been agreed.
Working for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust/NKPS you will be part of the Kent and Medway Pathology Network (South 8 Network - Kent and Medway Pathology Network is made up of seven laboratories across three pathology services in four acute Trusts. For more information on the network please see the attached document
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good honours degree (1st or 2nd class)
- Registration with the HCPC as Clinical Scientist
- MSc in clinical biochemistry or equivalent
Desirable
- PhD
- Part one FRCPath (or working towards)
- Evidence of management training
Skills
Essential
- Good communication skills demonstrated through oral and written evidence
- Good time management
- Evidence of a wide application and understanding of Clinical Biochemistry to real clinical scenarios
- Evidence of delivering a high quality clinical service through evidence of clinical audit and/or governance
- Attention to detail and computer literate with IT skills i.e. MS packages: Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Desirable
- Peer-reviewed publication record
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- Wide knowledge of clinical biochemistry: a thorough understanding of the basic science that underpins the speciality of Clinical Biochemistry and its application to clinical practice
- Appreciation of other pathology disciplines.
- Able to advise medical and nursing staff on investigations and interpretations of biochemical and metabolic processes (where necessary with back up from more senior staff)
- Recent extensive experience in a clinical biochemistry hospital laboratory as an STP/grade A clinical scientist trainee at Band 6
- To have undertaken a formal approved postgraduate training programme deemed as appropriate for HCPC registration
Desirable
- Work experience in a variety of clinical and research environments
- To have undertaken training and gained experience in a range of clinical biochemistry specialties, for example toxicology, endocrinology, specialist proteins.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good honours degree (1st or 2nd class)
- Registration with the HCPC as Clinical Scientist
- MSc in clinical biochemistry or equivalent
Desirable
- PhD
- Part one FRCPath (or working towards)
- Evidence of management training
Skills
Essential
- Good communication skills demonstrated through oral and written evidence
- Good time management
- Evidence of a wide application and understanding of Clinical Biochemistry to real clinical scenarios
- Evidence of delivering a high quality clinical service through evidence of clinical audit and/or governance
- Attention to detail and computer literate with IT skills i.e. MS packages: Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Desirable
- Peer-reviewed publication record
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- Wide knowledge of clinical biochemistry: a thorough understanding of the basic science that underpins the speciality of Clinical Biochemistry and its application to clinical practice
- Appreciation of other pathology disciplines.
- Able to advise medical and nursing staff on investigations and interpretations of biochemical and metabolic processes (where necessary with back up from more senior staff)
- Recent extensive experience in a clinical biochemistry hospital laboratory as an STP/grade A clinical scientist trainee at Band 6
- To have undertaken a formal approved postgraduate training programme deemed as appropriate for HCPC registration
Desirable
- Work experience in a variety of clinical and research environments
- To have undertaken training and gained experience in a range of clinical biochemistry specialties, for example toxicology, endocrinology, specialist proteins.
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.
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.
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).
