Principal Clinical Biochemist

Job summary

Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Service (CWPS) are looking for a dynamic and ambitious Principal Biochemist to work within our Biochemistry and Immunology Department which covers four hospitals; University Hospitals Coventry, Hospital of St Cross, Rugby, George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton and Warwick Hospital. You will join an experienced team of 5 Consultants and 4 Clinical Scientists. The department is one of the largest in England with specialist services including a foetal anomaly screening service (FASP), molecular diagnostics and Immunology. We provide clinical and technical point of care testing support across the partnership trusts.

Key responsibilities for this exciting new opportunity include:

1. Participation in the Duty Biochemist rota, providing interpretation of results and advice on investigations to medical staff and other service users.
2. Leading service developments for Biochemistry and Immunology as well as the FASP service.
3. Validation and implementation of new methods and assays, overseeing their introduction into routine clinical use.
4. Undertaking and publishing research.
5. Engaging in quality improvement.

We are looking for experienced individuals but will also provide training and development opportunities in these areas. We are a team who are undertaking significant service developments in our department, so there will be many opportunities to contribute to a high-quality service.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will lead the Foetal Anomaly Screening service (FASP) under the management of the Clinical lead of FASP and ensure appropriate adherence to governance for the service under the management of the Clinical Lead of FASP. This includes:

1. Responsibility on a day-to-day basis for a specialised programme of the Trisomy Screening Service providing a regional service for Trisomy screening.
2. Liaising with consultant obstetricians and midwives regarding Trisomy screening and troubleshooting any problems that arise within the screening service.
3. Representing CWPS Trisomy Screening laboratory service in the reporting and investigation of any Trisomy Screening Incidents, including knowledge of all National FASP and Quality Assurance reporting procedures.
4. Taking responsibility for the electronic reporting of all Trisomy Screening results to internal and external service users, requiring liaison with local Pathology IT teams and national/international software engineers.

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK. We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do. Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder performs a range of highly specialist, advanced clinical and scientific duties with specific delegated responsibility for a sub-specialty of clinical activity. The post holder provides highly specialist, expert advice to other healthcare professionals in specialist clinical biochemistry and immunology in their specialist area of activity. The post holder is also responsible for training to his/her own and other professions in his/her specialist area of activity.

The post holder is responsible for the clinical interpretation and authorisation of clinical biochemistry and 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.

The post holder is required to contribute to the development and provision of a range of laboratory services. As such the post holder is expected to contribute to the development of policies and services.

The post holder is required to manage EQA for sections of the Biochemistry and Immunology department under the direction of the EQA lead for Biochemistry and Immunology.

The post holder is expected to support the Biochemistry and Immunology department to maintain good performance in external quality assessment, compliance with laboratory accreditation standards and Trust clinical governance.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• see supporting documents

Desirable

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Experience

Essential

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Desirable

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Knowledge

Essential

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Desirable

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UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see.