Job Summary
This is an exciting opportunity to recruit a HCPC registered Principal Clinical Scientist to work within Clinical Biochemistry. The department provides a comprehensive service to the acute hospitals and surrounding primary care networks and commissioning teams from two main sites at Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. The service is currently undertaking two major projects (new managed service contract for laboratory equipment and new LIMS) that will see the latest technologies introduced and future proof the service to continue to develop excellent services for its patients, in line with regional and national agendas. The laboratory offers a wide range of routine automated testing as well as xanthochromia analysis, specialist faecal testing, liver fibrosis markers and testing for the myeloma service.
Alongside our outstanding development opportunities and excellent NHS benefits, relocation expenses will be considered in line with Trust policy. Durham and Darlington are exciting places to live with vibrant, expanding centres which are close to beautiful countryside. Both benefit from excellent transport links.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will, in conjunction with consultant staff, be responsible and accountable for the provision of a comprehensive Clinical Biochemistry service and to maintain the quality of the service to the standards set nationally by UKAS (ISO 15189). In addition, they will be able to provide an advisory service in all aspects of Clinical Biochemistry to their colleagues Trust-wide. They will demonstrate an enthusiasm for learning and have excellent written and verbal communication skills in order to work effectively with the other staff in the Clinical Biochemistry laboratory and other sections of the pathology service. The laboratory is accredited according to UKAS 15189 standards and is an accredited training laboratory for the provision of the Clinical Biochemistry Training Programme (STP). Training and Education are of vital importance to the team and the post holder will play an active role in contributing to the education of our clinical and scientific team as well as the departments Clinical Scientist trainee.
Participation in the on-call rota is expected following training and shadowing for candidates who meet the 8b criteria.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
To be considered for the 8b banding, interested candidates must have:
- Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Have passed part 1 and part 2 module 1 of the Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists examination (FRCPath)
- Specialist training in Clinical Biochemistry to Masters degree level or nationally assessed equivalent knowledge and expertise in Clinical Biochemistry and can also demonstrate a proven scientific and professional record.
- Interested candidate should have completed three years as a registered Clinical Scientist
Interested Candidates Who Do Not Meet The Essential Criteria For The 8B Banding But Meet The Essential Criteria For An 8A Post Will Be Considered. The Essential Criteria Are As Follows:
- State registered with Healthcare Professions Council as a Clinical Scientist
- Specialist training in Clinical Biochemistry to Masters degree level or nationally assessed equivalent knowledge and expertise in Clinical Biochemistry
- FRCPath Part 1 examination
- Evidence of active participation in CPD, as required by HCPC
- Studying/preparing for FRCPath Part 2 examinations for which full support will be given.
- Progression to 8B will be awarded following success in FRCPath part 2 module 1.
The post will be predominantly based at University Hospital of North Durham, with attendance at Darlington Memorial 1-2 days per week to support service requirements. The post is for 37.5 hours per week but part time hours will be considered in line with service requirements. Flexible working arrangements will be considered in line with Trust policy.
Please state your HCPC number within the application. We would encourage you to get in touch if you would like to informally discuss your suitability for the post, and a visit to the laboratory is highly recommended to see what the laboratory and the local areas have to offer you.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
- First Degree or assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise.
- Masters Degree or assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise in the speciality of clinical biochemistry.
- Examination by FRCPath - For 8b candidates: FRCPath Part 1 and Part 2 module 1 (Practical Skills Module) of Examination for Fellowship of Royal College of Pathologists or assessed equivalent level of detailed and extensive knowledge
- For 8a candidates: FRCPath part 1 examination.
- Demonstration of Continuing Professional Development.
Experience Essential
- To have completed a minimum of 3 yrs in post as a Registered Clinical Scientist.
Statutory Registration Essential
- Registered as a clinical scientist with Health Professions Council - HCPC number MUST be provided on form.
Special Requirements Essential
- Good hand eye co-ordination for fine manipulation of instrumentation.
- Able to maintain self-control in difficult and challenging situations and to take control of situations where more junior staff are in difficulty.
- Self confidence.
Special Skills & Knowledge Essential
- To have developed an expertise in one or more specialised analytical or clinical areas.
- To have undertaken Research, Development and Audit activities
- To have a thorough knowledge of human biochemistry and chemistry including metabolic processes, physiology, pharmacology and drug interference.
- To have an extensive knowledge of routine and specialised analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving.
- Able to perform clinical risk assessments and resolve issues or investigate complaints relating to the service as part of Clinical Governance.
- To have a good knowledge of managerial processes within the Trust and NHS.
- Experience of departmental meetings such as quality and clinical specialty.
- Good awareness of Trust Policies and procedures and how they relate to the staff and service of the department.
- Experience of leadership of small groups.
- Involvement in service planning and development.
- Knowledge of quality management and accreditation systems.
- Well-developed analytical (technical) skills.
- Well-developed deductive and intuitive abilities.
- Able to lead on service development and delivery in a specialised area. Ability to undertake and conclude method verification.
- Able to initiate, direct and co-ordinate R & D activities.
- Able to conduct audit of services and take corrective action.
- Well-developed clinical awareness within and beyond the context of own speciality.
- Able to advise senior medical staff, nursing staff and other health professionals on investigation and interpretation of biochemical and metabolic processes in complex situations also utilising data from other specialities.
- Able to recognise patterns of abnormality and relate them to clinical situations and provide appropriate clinical advice.
- Able to analyse highly complex information from out with as well as within the service and use to evaluate differential diagnoses.
- Able to conduct clinical audit and present reports.
- Able to advise on broad service development and strategies.
- Able to use and manipulate laboratory computer systems and standard software packages.
- Able to provide leadership to small teams within the department within the and provide professional leadership on a wider scale.
- Able to organise and manage complex activities.
- Awareness of current and developing NHS and healthcare issues and guidelines.
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Able to teach students, laboratory staff, nursing and medical staff.
- Able to prepare and present complex scientific and clinical information at local and national meetings to large audiences.
- Able to challenge with confidence established scientific and clinical views using reasoned argument, personal knowledge and research findings.
- Able to maintain intense concentration despite frequent interruptions.
- Able to supervise and lead the activities of staff at lower grades.
- Able to develop professional guidelines within department and contribute to guidelines and policies Trust wide.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer name:County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address:University Hospital Of North Durham, North Road, Durham, DH1 5TW
Employer's website:https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/
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