Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to recruit a HCPC registered
Principal Clinical Scientist to work within Clinical Biochemistry. The
department provides a comprehensive service to the acute hospitals and
surrounding primary care networks and commissioning teams from two main sites
at Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. The
service is currently undertaking two major projects (new managed service
contract for laboratory equipment and new LIMS) that will see the latest
technologies introduced and future proof the service to continue to develop
excellent services for its patients, in line with regional and national
agendas. The laboratory offers a wide range of routine automated testing as
well as xanthochromia analysis, specialist faecal testing, liver fibrosis
markers and testing for the myeloma service.
Alongside our outstanding development
opportunities and excellent NHS benefits, relocation expenses will be
considered in line with Trust policy. Durham and Darlington are exciting places
to live with vibrant, expanding centres which are close to beautiful
countryside. Both benefit from excellent transport links.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will, in conjunction with
consultant staff, be responsible and accountable for the provision of a
comprehensive Clinical Biochemistry service and to maintain the quality of the
service to the standards set nationally by UKAS (ISO 15189). In addition, they
will be able to provide an advisory service in all aspects of Clinical
Biochemistry to their colleagues Trust-wide. They will demonstrate an
enthusiasm for learning and have excellent written and verbal communication
skills in order to work effectively with the other staff in the Clinical
Biochemistry laboratory and other sections of the pathology service. The laboratory is accredited according to
UKAS 15189 standards and is an accredited training laboratory for the provision
of the Clinical Biochemistry Training Programme (STP). Training and Education are of vital
importance to the team and the post holder will play an active role in
contributing to the education of our clinical and scientific team as well as
the departments Clinical Scientist trainee.
Participation in the on-call rota is expected
following training and shadowing for candidates who meet the 8b criteria.
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
From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary, If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Job description
Job responsibilities
To be considered for the 8b banding, interested candidates
must have:
Current registration with the Health and Care Professions
Council (HCPC)
Have passed part 1 and part 2 module 1 of the Fellowship of
the Royal College of Pathologists examination (FRCPath)
Specialist training in Clinical Biochemistry to Masters
degree level or nationally assessed equivalent knowledge and expertise in
Clinical Biochemistry and can also demonstrate a proven scientific and
professional record.
Interested candidate should have completed three years as a
registered Clinical Scientist
Interested candidates who do not meet the essential criteria
for the 8B banding but meet the essential criteria for an 8A post will be
considered. The essential criteria are as follows:
State registered with Healthcare Professions Council as a
Clinical Scientist
Specialist training in Clinical Biochemistry to Masters
degree level or nationally assessed equivalent knowledge and expertise in
Clinical Biochemistry
FRCPath Part 1 examination
Evidence of active participation in CPD, as required by HCPC
Studying/preparing for FRCPath Part 2 examinations for which
full support will be given.
Progression to 8B will be awarded following success in
FRCPath part 2 module 1.
The post will be predominantly based at University Hospital
of North Durham , with attendance at Darlington Memorial 1-2 days per week to
support service requirements.
The post is for 37.5 hours per week but part time hours will
be considered in line with service requirements. Flexible working arrangements
will be considered in line with Trust policy.
Please state your HCPC number within the application.
We would encourage you to get in touch if you
would like to informally discuss your suitability for the post, and a visit the
laboratory is highly recommended to see what the laboratory and the local areas
have to offer you..
Job description
Job responsibilities
To be considered for the 8b banding, interested candidates
must have:
Current registration with the Health and Care Professions
Council (HCPC)
Have passed part 1 and part 2 module 1 of the Fellowship of
the Royal College of Pathologists examination (FRCPath)
Specialist training in Clinical Biochemistry to Masters
degree level or nationally assessed equivalent knowledge and expertise in
Clinical Biochemistry and can also demonstrate a proven scientific and
professional record.
Interested candidate should have completed three years as a
registered Clinical Scientist
Interested candidates who do not meet the essential criteria
for the 8B banding but meet the essential criteria for an 8A post will be
considered. The essential criteria are as follows:
State registered with Healthcare Professions Council as a
Clinical Scientist
Specialist training in Clinical Biochemistry to Masters
degree level or nationally assessed equivalent knowledge and expertise in
Clinical Biochemistry
FRCPath Part 1 examination
Evidence of active participation in CPD, as required by HCPC
Studying/preparing for FRCPath Part 2 examinations for which
full support will be given.
Progression to 8B will be awarded following success in
FRCPath part 2 module 1.
The post will be predominantly based at University Hospital
of North Durham , with attendance at Darlington Memorial 1-2 days per week to
support service requirements.
The post is for 37.5 hours per week but part time hours will
be considered in line with service requirements. Flexible working arrangements
will be considered in line with Trust policy.
Please state your HCPC number within the application.
We would encourage you to get in touch if you
would like to informally discuss your suitability for the post, and a visit the
laboratory is highly recommended to see what the laboratory and the local areas
have to offer you..
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- First Degree or assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise.
- Masters Degree or assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise in the speciality of clinical biochemistry.
- Examination by FRCPath -
- For 8b candidates: FRCPath Part 1 and Part 2 module 1 (Practical Skills Module) of Examination for Fellowship of Royal College of Pathologists or assessed equivalent level of detailed and extensive knowledge
- For 8a candidates: FRCPath part 1 examination.
- Demonstration of Continuing Professional Development.
Desirable
- Part 2 module 2 of Examination for Fellowship of Royal College of Pathologists
Experience
Essential
- To have completed a minimum of 3 yrs in post as a Registered Clinical Scientist.
Statutory Registration
Essential
- Registered as a clinical scientist with Health Professions Council - HCPC number MUST be provided on form
Special Requirements
Essential
- Physical Skills:
- Good hand eye co-ordination for fine manipulation of instrumentation.
- 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.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge - Scientific:
- To have developed an expertise in one or more specialised analytical or clinical areas.
- To have undertaken Research, Development and Audit activities
- To have a thorough knowledge of human biochemistry and chemistry including metabolic processes, physiology, pharmacology and drug interference.
- To have an extensive knowledge of routine and specialised analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving.
- Knowledge - Medical:
- Able to perform clinical risk assessments and resolve issues or investigate complaints relating to the service as part of Clinical Governance.
- To have a good knowledge of managerial processes within the Trust and NHS.
- Experience of departmental meetings such as quality and clinical specialty.
- Knowledge - Managerial:
- Good awareness of Trust Policies and procedures and how they relate to the staff and service of the department.
- Experience of leadership of small groups.
- Involvement in service planning and development.
- Knowledge of quality management and accreditation systems.
- Knowledge - Scientific:
- Well-developed analytical (technical) skills.
- Well-developed deductive and intuitive abilities.
- Able to lead on service development and delivery in a specialised area. Ability to undertake and conclude method verification.
- Able to initiate, direct and co-ordinate R & D activities.
- Able to conduct audit of services and take corrective action.
- Well-developed clinical awareness within and beyond the context of own speciality.
- Knowledge - Clinical:
- Able to advise senior medical staff, nursing staff and other health professionals on investigation and interpretation of biochemical and metabolic processes in complex situations also utilising data from other specialities.
- Able to recognise patterns of abnormality and relate them to clinical situations and provide appropriate clinical advice.
- Able to analyse highly complex information from out with as well as within the service and use to evaluate differential diagnoses.
- Able to conduct clinical audit and present reports.
- Knowledge - Management & Communication:
- Able to advise on broad service development and strategies.
- Able to use and manipulate laboratory computer systems and standard software packages.
- Able to provide leadership to small teams within the department within the and provide professional leadership on a wider scale.
- Able to organise and manage complex activities.
- Awareness of current and developing NHS and healthcare issues and guidelines.
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Able to teach students, laboratory staff, nursing and medical staff.
- Able to prepare and present complex scientific and clinical information at local and, national meeting to large audiences.
- Able to challenge with confidence established scientific and clinical views using reasoned argument, personal knowledge and research findings.
- Able to maintain intense concentration despite frequent interruptions.
- Able to supervise and lead the activities of staff at lower grades.
- Able to develop professional guidelines within department and contribute to guidelines and policies Trust wide.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- First Degree or assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise.
- Masters Degree or assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise in the speciality of clinical biochemistry.
- Examination by FRCPath -
- For 8b candidates: FRCPath Part 1 and Part 2 module 1 (Practical Skills Module) of Examination for Fellowship of Royal College of Pathologists or assessed equivalent level of detailed and extensive knowledge
- For 8a candidates: FRCPath part 1 examination.
- Demonstration of Continuing Professional Development.
Desirable
- Part 2 module 2 of Examination for Fellowship of Royal College of Pathologists
Experience
Essential
- To have completed a minimum of 3 yrs in post as a Registered Clinical Scientist.
Statutory Registration
Essential
- Registered as a clinical scientist with Health Professions Council - HCPC number MUST be provided on form
Special Requirements
Essential
- Physical Skills:
- Good hand eye co-ordination for fine manipulation of instrumentation.
- 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.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge - Scientific:
- To have developed an expertise in one or more specialised analytical or clinical areas.
- To have undertaken Research, Development and Audit activities
- To have a thorough knowledge of human biochemistry and chemistry including metabolic processes, physiology, pharmacology and drug interference.
- To have an extensive knowledge of routine and specialised analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving.
- Knowledge - Medical:
- Able to perform clinical risk assessments and resolve issues or investigate complaints relating to the service as part of Clinical Governance.
- To have a good knowledge of managerial processes within the Trust and NHS.
- Experience of departmental meetings such as quality and clinical specialty.
- Knowledge - Managerial:
- Good awareness of Trust Policies and procedures and how they relate to the staff and service of the department.
- Experience of leadership of small groups.
- Involvement in service planning and development.
- Knowledge of quality management and accreditation systems.
- Knowledge - Scientific:
- Well-developed analytical (technical) skills.
- Well-developed deductive and intuitive abilities.
- Able to lead on service development and delivery in a specialised area. Ability to undertake and conclude method verification.
- Able to initiate, direct and co-ordinate R & D activities.
- Able to conduct audit of services and take corrective action.
- Well-developed clinical awareness within and beyond the context of own speciality.
- Knowledge - Clinical:
- Able to advise senior medical staff, nursing staff and other health professionals on investigation and interpretation of biochemical and metabolic processes in complex situations also utilising data from other specialities.
- Able to recognise patterns of abnormality and relate them to clinical situations and provide appropriate clinical advice.
- Able to analyse highly complex information from out with as well as within the service and use to evaluate differential diagnoses.
- Able to conduct clinical audit and present reports.
- Knowledge - Management & Communication:
- Able to advise on broad service development and strategies.
- Able to use and manipulate laboratory computer systems and standard software packages.
- Able to provide leadership to small teams within the department within the and provide professional leadership on a wider scale.
- Able to organise and manage complex activities.
- Awareness of current and developing NHS and healthcare issues and guidelines.
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Able to teach students, laboratory staff, nursing and medical staff.
- Able to prepare and present complex scientific and clinical information at local and, national meeting to large audiences.
- Able to challenge with confidence established scientific and clinical views using reasoned argument, personal knowledge and research findings.
- Able to maintain intense concentration despite frequent interruptions.
- Able to supervise and lead the activities of staff at lower grades.
- Able to develop professional guidelines within department and contribute to guidelines and policies Trust wide.
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
