Band 8a Principal Clinical Scientist - Immunology

Job summary

The Immunology laboratory based at Heartlands Hospital was the first such NHS laboratory in the UK and set the model for UK Immunology training and expansion. It remains a large and busy service and receives a substantial amount of referred work. The laboratory performs all immunology work for University Hospitals Birmingham, the majority of GPs across Birmingham and Solihull; it also performs a large amount of specialist work for external users.

The laboratory provides a comprehensive range of immunology assays including autoantibody testing for the diagnosis and management of organ-specific diseases (35,000 ANA, 15,000 ANCA and 75,000 TTG requests per year); immunoglobulin, paraproteins, complement, and cryoprotein analyses (75,000 Igs and electrophoresis per year); cerebrospinal fluid testing for oligoclonal bands; total and allergen/component-specific IgE (55,000 per year); fungal and avian serum precipitins, alpha-1 antitrypsin quantitation and phenotyping (6000 HIV CD4 counts, 3500 non-HIV lymphocyte subsets per year); serum antibodies against pneumococcus, Haemophilus type b, tetanus and salmonella typhi; lymphocyte subset quantitation and phenotyping, neutrophil respiratory burst and CD62L shedding, lymphocyte activation, proliferation and cytokine production (10,000 IGRA tests per year).

The successful applicant will have HCPC registration as an Immunology Clinical Scientist and have RCPath Part 1 (by examination) or be able to demonstrate they are working towards this qualification.

Main duties of the job

• To act as an independent practitioner, sharing in the provision, management and continuing development of a Consultant-led clinical laboratory and advisory service in Immunology.
• Perform clinical interpretation and authorisation of Clinical Immunology diagnostic results, liaising with clinical teams as necessary to advise patient care pathways, result interpretation, repeat testing and additional investigations that may be required.
• Under the overall direction of the Clinical Lead to have managerial responsibility for senior clinical scientists within Clinical Immunology.
• To provide training and education in Immunology and related topics to a variety of staff/student groups.
• To lead and participate in clinical audit.
• To be responsible for maintaining quality of analytical service to the national standards set by UKAS or other relevant accreditation bodies.
• To promote the introduction of relevant analytical technologies to enable delivery of a leading edge and effective laboratory medicine service that is fit for purpose.
• To liaise closely with the Consultant Clinical Scientist, Head of Department, Clinical Service Lead and other Consultant Immunologists and Laboratory manager establishing service reconfiguration and development priorities as appropriate.
• To instigate research and development ideas through discussion with the Clinical Lead which will bring benefit to the overall department.

About us

We are recognised as one of the leading NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK. Our vision is to Build Healthier Lives, and we recognise that we need incredible staff to do this.

Our commitment to our staff is to create the best place for them to work, and we are dedicated to:

• Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can;
• Offer our staff a wide variety of training and development opportunities, to support their personal and career development objectives.

UHB is committed to ensuring that our staff are treated fairly and feel that they belong, by creating a kind and inclusive environment. This is about equity of opportunity; removing all barriers, including discrimination and ensuring each individual member of staff reach their true potential, achieve their ambitions and thrive in their work.

This is more than words. We are taking action. Our commitment to an inclusive culture is embedded at all levels of the organisation where every voice is heard, driven by our diverse and active staff networks, and at Board level by the Fairness Taskforce led by our CEO. We nurture a culture which empowers staff to challenge discriminatory behaviours and to enable people to bring their 'whole self' to a kinder, more connected and bold place to work.

University Hospitals Birmingham is a Smoke-Free premises hospital.

Date posted

14 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

304-9002345

Job locations

Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green E, Birmingham, West Midlands, B9 5SS

Person Specification

Qualifications Essential

• 1st class or 2:1 honours degree in Immunology or a closely related science
• MSc in Clinical Immunology or equivalent
• State registration with Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Evidence of continuing professional development and proficiency in accordance with HCPC guidelines
• RCPath part 1 (by examination) or demonstrating working towards this

Experience Essential

• An advanced, specialist knowledge of clinical immunology and laboratory medicine
• Substantial experience as a clinical scientist in an Immunology laboratory covering an extensive range of tests
• Previous experience in audit, research and development, method/equipment appraisal and evaluation
• Awareness of the political and cultural aspects of the NHS
• Awareness of clinical governance and risk management
• Awareness of laboratory health and safety
• Awareness and experience of laboratory accreditation standards
• An advanced knowledge of internal and external quality assurance

Additional Criteria Essential

• Effective communication skills, both written and oral
• Numerate and able to undertake scientific calculations
• Ability to work in a team
• Manage workload effectively when the workload is unpredictable and there are competing demands (medical emergency)
• Good and accurate keyboard skills
• Effective logical thought processes and the ability to solve problems and plan remedial action
• Effective organisational, planning and time management skills
• Punctual and reliable
• A good team player
• Respectful of all grades of staff
• Ability to work across all sites

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.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Employer name: University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green E, Birmingham, West Midlands, B9 5SS

Employer's website: https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/jobs.htm