Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

As a Principal Clinical Scientist in Clinical Biochemistry the postholder will:

• Be responsible for the day-to-day management of scientific aspects of the toxicology and antenatal screening services (incorporating clinical and coronial toxicology, cholinesterase and antenatal screening for trisomies), ultimately responsible to the Consultant Clinical Scientist.
• Contribute to the clinical and scientific leadership of the automated clinical biochemistry service.
• Participate in the general biochemistry clinical validation rota, providing interpretation and clinical advice in general biochemistry and endocrinology, and participate in the out-of-hours on-call rota for clinical advice.
• Interpret and report toxicology results and, in conjunction with the Consultant Clinical Scientist, produce postmortem toxicology reports for pathologists and coroners.
• Take a lead role in the laboratory provision of the antenatal screening service (fetal anomaly screening program, FASP)

Please Refer To The Job Description For More Details

Person Specification

Education And Qualifications

Essential criteria

• First or second-class honours degree in biochemistry, chemistry or a related subject.
• Master’s degree (or assessed equivalent level of knowledge) in the specialty of Clinical Biochemistry
• Satisfactory completion of a formal pre-registration scientist training programme in Clinical Biochemistry
• State Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Clinical Scientist (Clinical Biochemistry).

Desirable criteria

• Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath)

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Essential criteria

• Able to use and manipulate lab computer systems and standard software packages

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities (contd.)

Essential criteria

• The post holder must be able to accurately record, analyse and interpret the results of investigations undertaken within Clinical Biochemistry
• The post holder must be able to process very complex scientific information, as is required in the specialist areas of Toxicology and antenatal screening
• The ability to lead and direct a team of staff, to ensure smooth running of the Department and achievement of goals and targets in the designated section.
• To have developed analytical (technical) skills in general and specialist clinical biochemistry techniques
• To have a good knowledge of analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving/troubleshooting

Experience

Essential criteria

• To have completed post graduate training approved as appropriate for registration together with supervised in-service experience totalling a minimum of 3 years
• Experience of undertaking research and development and audit
• Extensive IT experience and knowledge of laboratory computer information systems, common software packages (Word, Excel and Sharepoint) and specialist software packages (e.g. statistical packages)
• Evidence of progression towards FRCPath, including attainment of part 1 FRCPath

Experience (contd.)

Essential criteria

• To have experience as a registered clinical scientist acting at a senior level in a range of clinical biochemistry specialties
• Experience of the analysis and interpretation of all aspects of General and Endocrine Biochemistry and its application to clinical practice, such that the post holder can act as an expert within the Trust
• Experience of developing and troubleshooting new methods, for use in research projects or routine clinical biochemistry service

Desirable criteria

• Clinical and laboratory experience within the specialist field of Toxicology

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Essential criteria

• A thorough understanding of the basic science that underpins the speciality of Clinical Biochemistry and its application to clinical practice
• An appreciation of other pathology disciplines and diagnostic imaging to view findings in the appropriate clinical context
• Able to advise medical and nursing staff on appropriate investigations and interpretation of biochemical and metabolic processes
• Expert knowledge in a specialist area of work relevant to the role (for example toxicology or antenatal screening)
• Able to initiate and conduct Research and Development activities
• Able to conduct audits of both the laboratory and clinical service
• The ability to critically appraise new information published in the literature
• An up to date awareness of national policies affecting the NHS, Laboratory Medicine, Blood Sciences and Clinical Biochemistry in particular
• Ability to communicate complex information and interpret the significance of results back to requestors
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Able to prepare and present scientific and clinical information at meetings and provide teaching and training for laboratory staff

Desirable criteria

• Highly developed expertise and knowledge of theoretical, clinical and laboratory analytical aspects of the specialist field of Toxicology
• Highly developed expertise and knowledge of theoretical, clinical and laboratory aspects of antenatal screening for trisomies
• To have developed technical ability in specialist techniques such as tandem mass spectrometry

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Ability to work independently, managing own workload and that of others within the department
• Ability to work under pressure to deadlines
• Able and confident to challenge established views
• Able to maintain self-control in difficult and challenging situations
• Able to maintain intense concentration on important tasks despite frequent interruptions
• Good interpersonal skills

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

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