Consultant Clinical Scientist

Job Summary

We are looking to recruit an experienced, motivated, and forward-thinking Consultant Clinical Scientist to join our team working alongside other Consultants to lead the delivery of both automated and specialist Clinical Biochemistry within the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Pathology Partnership (SYBP).

The successful candidate will be expected to work in both Automated and Specialist areas of Clinical Biochemistry providing a comprehensive clinical service including provision of consultant level advice, service development, quality management, training, policy implementation and participation in the Duty Biochemist rota. An essential and significant part of the role will be to participate at consultant level in the provision of a highly specialist Toxicology service providing interpretative comments and advice for clinical and post-mortem toxicology results and supporting the toxicology section of the laboratory, and there will be an expectation to act as an Expert Witness in Forensic Toxicology cases at Crown Court and HM Coroners Inquests.

SYBP is a partnership of five NHS organisations including Barnsley Hospital, Rotherham, Doncaster and Bassetlaw, Sheffield Children's, and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This post will be based primarily within Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Northern General Hospital site. The laboratory performs post-mortem testing for approximately 5000 cases per year for HM Coroner.

Main Duties of the Job

The post holder will be part of a team responsible for the delivery of automated and specialist Clinical Biochemistry services across the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Pathology Service (SYBP). The post holder will work within both the automated and specialist areas of Clinical Biochemistry.

An essential and significant part of the role will be to participate at consultant level in the provision of a highly specialist Toxicology service providing interpretative comments and advice for clinical and post-mortem toxicology results and supporting the toxicology section of the laboratory, and there will be an expectation to act as an Expert Witness in Forensic Toxicology cases at Crown Court and HM Coroners Inquests.

Within the automated Clinical Biochemistry service, the post holder will work alongside other Consultants in providing a comprehensive clinical service including provision of consultant level advice, service development, quality management, policy implementation and participation in the Duty Biochemist rota.

About Us

You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust operates with a budget of £1.2 bn, has a workforce of over 18,500 employees, covers 5 hospital sites, provides care from over 40 community settings and has an excellent reputation for research.

Whilst Sheffield Teaching Hospital is the host employer you will be required to undertake duties at any of the sites within the Pathology Network, these include;

1. Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT)
2. Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (DBTH)
3. The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust (TRFT)
4. Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT)
5. Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (STH)

Job Responsibilities

Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.

When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Qualifications Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath)
• Completion of a three-year specialised training programme with Masters degree in Clinical Biochemistry or equivalent
• Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Demonstration of continued professional development.

Experience

• At least 5 years of post-registration experience in a relevant Clinical Chemistry field.
• Have a comprehensive knowledge of general biochemistry including result interpretation, suitable testing strategies and analytical techniques.
• Regular participation in a Duty Biochemist Rota.
• In-depth expertise in one or more specialised analytical or clinical areas to include Toxicology.
• Experience of producing highly complex reports and providing advice to clinicians related to patient care, diagnostic tests, appropriate testing, including experience of participation in MDT's.
• Lead role in research and development, service improvement and audit projects, to include the introduction of new assays and techniques and clinical audit activities.
• The use of highly specialist analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry and HPLC.
• Experience of leading and managing a department, including line management experience.
• Active participation in meetings and committees at local and national level.
• Presentation of research at scientific meetings.

Skills and Knowledge

• Good knowledge of managerial processes within the NHS.
• To have developed a clinical awareness within and beyond the context of own specialty.
• In-depth knowledge of the requirements of accreditation and quality management.

Personal Qualities

• Articulate with good oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organisational skills to be able to organise and manage complex activities.
• Able to challenge with confidence established scientific and clinical views using reasoned argument, personal knowledge and research findings.
• Must be comfortable with exposure to highly distressing, emotional and traumatic circumstances detailing the way in which individuals have come about their death.
• Able to travel to conferences, other hospitals and Coronial inquests on a regular basis.
• Able to provide leadership and motivation to all grades of staff within the department and provide professional leadership on a wider scale.
• Takes full responsibility and accountability for own actions, using own initiative and acting independently to take appropriate action and to advise others.