Principal Clinical Scientist

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job description

Are you looking for a new challenge in a specialist testing environment? Then this is an exciting opportunity to join the Reference Biochemistry department at King's College Hospital.

As a Principal Clinical Scientist, you will work in our Steroid Laboratory, which investigates patients suspected of having disorders of steroid metabolism using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

The Steroid Laboratory is home to the Supra Regional Assay and Advisory Service (SAAS) designated urine steroid profiling service, one of two such services in the UK. Using GC-MS, this is a powerful technique for the identification of inborn errors of steroid metabolism as well as being of use in the diagnosis of steroid-secreting adrenal tumours to identify malignancy.

A significant part of your role will be to support this service by becoming proficient in the interpretation and reporting of urine steroid profiles. You will also be expected to provide scientific leadership to our complementary LC-MS/MS assays targeting specific steroids in serum, along with urine free cortisol. The subject matter can be complicated but is very rewarding.

The job holder will have a large degree of individual responsibility and must be HCPC-registered as a Clinical Scientist. You should also ideally have FRCPath Part 1, although we encourage applications from individuals actively working towards completion of Part 1 within the next six months.

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible for managing and delivering the specialist assays that make up the routine Steroid Laboratory services. You will also help provide an interpretive advisory service to referring clinicians and laboratories in conjunction with the SAAS Director.

As required, you will represent the laboratory by attending the endocrine MDTs at King's College Hospital. You will be expected to further develop the Steroid Laboratory services by participating in method development and collaborative research, both locally and nationally.

The Steroid Laboratory is part of the wider Reference Biochemistry department, which also includes Immunochemistry, Metabolic, Gastrointestinal Investigations, and Porphyrin sections. Where required, the post holder will also be expected to contribute to scientific leadership across these sections. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to participate in the departmental Duty Biochemist rota.

This is an exciting time to join the Steroid Laboratory, as we work towards transforming existing hospital-based laboratory and diagnostic services into an integrated 'hub and spoke' pathology network. The Steroid Laboratory will be one of the services that transfers to a state-of-the-art 'hub' laboratory at Friars Bridge Court, Blackfriars Road, London. This move will provide access to improved services and equipment for routine and specialist testing. Joining the team now will give you a unique opportunity to help shape future service delivery.

About us

You will have access to a range of learning opportunities through The Synnovis Way Development Programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund, and the Synnovis Academy. These programmes provide funding and support for advanced qualifications, including full support towards completing and maintaining FRCPath examinations.

Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for financial support to launch new and innovative scientific projects. You will also have opportunities to engage with the wider scientific community by participating in symposiums, conferences, and other peer group meetings.

Job responsibilities

At Synnovis, we are shaping the future of pathology services by developing a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network in partnership with the NHS. A key part of this modernisation involves relocating 70% of our services to a state-of-the-art Hub laboratory in central London.

For now, the role you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites. However, from 1 April 2024, our staff and services will begin transitioning to the Hub laboratory at Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1. Some work will remain in refurbished essential service laboratories across our hospital network, ensuring the rapid processing of urgent tests. If you would like more information, please feel free to ask your recruiting manager.

Duties and Responsibilities

Technical

1. Establish and maintain a quality management system to ensure Standard Operating Procedures are kept up to date.
2. Perform complex manual and semi-automated specialised tests using a variety of separation science techniques.
3. Monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control and assurance procedures.
4. Take corrective action when quality control or assurance procedures indicate poor performance of laboratory instruments or methods, or when service delivery may be compromised.

Clinical

1. Provide advice, alongside the SAAS Director, to clinicians and laboratory staff locally and nationally on appropriate investigations for diagnosing or monitoring steroid metabolism disorders.
2. Report and interpret results from the SAAS steroid laboratory.
3. Advise patients on outpatient management of steroid disorders and referral to a specialist laboratory.
4. Attend relevant clinical meetings, including Adrenal and Pituitary MDTs.
5. Provide pre- and post-analytical advice to doctors and laboratory staff regarding routine and specialised biochemistry tests, including SAAS investigations.
6. Assist consultants in delivering a comprehensive Clinical Biochemistry service to Kings College Hospital NHS Trust and Synnovis LLP.

Managerial

1. Oversee the analysis of steroid hormones and their metabolites, ensuring the service meets required standards.
2. Ensure timely processing of work and authorisation of results.
3. Supervise BMS, Clinical Scientist, and Trainee Medical staff within the SAAS steroid laboratory.
4. Conduct appraisals and manage the performance of scientific staff.
5. Maintain operational standards suitable for accreditation by UKAS or other accrediting bodies.
6. Undertake audit projects as directed by the Department Executive/Audit Committee.
7. Provide workload and turnaround time data as required by Kings College Hospital NHS Trust, Synnovis LLP, and the SAAS Board.
8. Manage expenditure within departmental and Synnovis LLP budget guidelines.
9. Ensure compliance with safety policies, including safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials.
10. Oversee the safe use and maintenance of complex instrumentation, including HPLC, UPLC, GC, and associated mass spectrometers.
11. Implement national, Synnovis LLP, and departmental policies, ensuring necessary changes in working practices.
12. Prepare business cases for equipment replacement when appropriate.
13. Represent the department on the SAAS Hormone Sub-Committee and provide laboratory reports as required.
14. Attend Organisational Group and Quality Assurance Working Group meetings with senior staff.

Scientific

1. Ensure analytical work in the steroid laboratory meets local and national quality assurance standards.
2. Advise SAAS Directors and the Department Executive on appropriate analytical methodologies.
3. Develop and assess new assays and analytical techniques in steroid biochemistry and chromatography applications in clinical biochemistry.
4. Stay up to date with advancements in steroid hormone metabolism and share knowledge with colleagues.
5. Participate in an RCPath-recognised CPD scheme and maintain a satisfactory standard.
6. Disseminate knowledge and research findings through presentations at conferences and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Risk Management / Health and Safety

1. Adhere to the Departmental Health and Safety Code of Practice and take appropriate precautions in the laboratory.
2. Report any adverse incidents in line with Synnovis LLPs Adverse Incident Policy.
3. Maintain laboratory equipment in a safe and clean condition, following maintenance schedules outlined in SOPs.
4. Liaise with the departmental Safety Officer to assess and document risks associated with laboratory work.

Research

1. Initiate, supervise, and coordinate research in steroid metabolism, providing advice to research collaborators.
2. Prepare project plans for ethical approval and secure funding from external or internal sources, including M.Sc. and Ph.D. projects.
3. Develop innovative analytical applications for steroid measurements using mass spectrometry.

Training and Development

1. Train BMS, Clinical Scientists, Medical Trainees, students, and other staff in steroid biochemistry and analytical procedures.
2. Participate in the departments formal teaching programme by leading tutorials and presenting at journal clubs.
3. Provide professional advice, mentorship, and guidance to staff.
4. Assist in the recruitment and retention of staff.
5. Support the supervision and training of regionally appointed Trainee Clinical Scientists.

Other

1. Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of colleagues, visitors, and patients, adhering to Synnovis LLPs risk management and clinical governance policies.
2. Carry out all duties in accordance with Synnovis LLPs policies and procedures.
3. Comply with the professional code of conduct applicable to your role, such as the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Kings College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UKs leading NHS Foundation Trusts in specialist teaching.

Kings has various divisions, including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer, and Cardiovascular Sciences, offering unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.

Over the last 170 years, Kings has delivered nothing but world-class service to all its patients, from deprived communities to some of the wealthiest in London.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• First degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a closely related subject.
• Master's degree in Clinical Biochemistry or a related subject, or assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise in the speciality of clinical biochemistry.
• Registered with the Health Care Professions Council as a Clinical Scientist.
• Part 1 examination for Membership of the Royal College of Pathologists (or expecting to obtain within the next six months) or a relevant PhD.
• Demonstration of Continuing Professional Development to an agreed level of participation.
• Record of peer-reviewed research publications.

Experience

• To have experience of metabolic medicine in adults, children, and neonates, including inherited disorders and/or endocrinology.
• Experience of method development, evaluation, verification, implementation, and the clinical interpretation of results.
• Involvement in service planning and development.
• Knowledge of quality management and accreditation systems.
• To have specific knowledge of the diagnostic work-up of steroid disorders.
• Research and development experience.
• Presentations at national or international conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• To have an extensive knowledge of specialised analytical methods, quality assurance, and problem-solving.
• Experience in laboratory management structure at Principal Grade.
• Previous experience attending MDT meetings.

Skills & Knowledge

• Direct experience of operation of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) systems.
• Able to prepare and present method evaluation/validation data using appropriate statistical analyses.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and communicate within the team to deliver effective service.
• Ability to communicate technical information and results with other health professionals.
• Evidence of ability to conduct and report research and development activities.

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.

Depending on experience £61,927 to £68,676 per annum, dependent on experience