Band 8b - Principal Clinical Scientist, Chemical Pathology

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

There is a full 24/7 hour acute/urgent analytical service at Watford General Hospital and a Monday to Friday, 08:00 am to 20:00 pm, non-urgent service provided at the Hemel Hempstead site.

The successful candidate is expected to work across sites as required. The post holder will be expected to participate in the on-call roster for the provision of clinical advice out of hours after appropriate training.

The laboratory is fully automated using Roche Cobas platform for automated chemistry, Siemens Atellica platform for immunochemistry, and Sebia system for protein electrophoresis.

The Trust is committed to the personal development of its staff at all levels.

A new shared pathology network is being created with pathology colleagues across the local Integrated Care System (ICS) including East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB). Health Services Laboratories (HSL) is the newly appointed provider for this forthcoming shared networked pathology service.

This role requires working closely with Consultants, Team Leaders, Quality Leads, and Chemical Pathology operation manager and Blood Sciences manager.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• First Degree or assessed equivalent of knowledge and expertise.
• Master's Degree or assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise in speciality of Clinical Biochemistry.
• Fellow of Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) as required for Medical Consultant.
• Demonstration of Continuing Professional Development at agreed level of participation.
• Registration as a clinical scientist with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Desirable Criteria

• PhD

Knowledge

Essential Criteria

• To have a thorough knowledge of human biochemistry and chemistry including metabolic processes, physiology, pharmacology and drug interference.
• To have a sound basic knowledge in other areas of Pathology.
• To have an extensive knowledge of routine and specialised analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving.
• Able to perform risk assessments on a variety of laboratory situations.
• Fully conversant with COSHH regulations and their application to laboratories.
• Able to perform clinical risk assessments and resolve problems or investigate complaints relating to the service as part of Clinical Governance.
• Extensive knowledge of national professional and NHS guidelines relating to service provision and quality.
• Knowledge of resource allocations and procurement.

Desirable Criteria

• To have expert knowledge in a highly specialised area e.g. Protein electrophoresis, chromatography, endocrinology.

Experience

Essential Criteria

• To have completed a minimum of 5 years in post as a Registered Clinical Scientist of which 2 years should have been at advanced practitioner level (8A).

Desirable Criteria

• To have attained status as a national or international expert or adviser.
• To have developed an expertise in one or more specialised analytical or clinical areas to a point of acting at an expert level within the Trust.
• To have attained a good record of achievement in research, development and audit activities, through presentations at national or international conferences and publication in peer reviewed journals.

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute healthcare services to a core catchment population of approximately half a million people living in west Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. The Trust also provides a range of more specialist services to a wider population, serving residents of North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hertfordshire.

As an employer of nearly 6,000 people the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.

Employer Certification / Accreditation Badges

Applicant Requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application Numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to Download

• JD (PDF, 653.8KB)