Senior Clinical Scientist: POCT Rapid Respiratory Service

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic HCPC-registered Clinical Scientist who is nearing completion or has completed an STP program to join our award-winning and energetic team at Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) SAMBA Rapid Respiratory Service (SRRS) as part of the Point of Care Testing (POCT) Team. SRRS provides rapid testing, according to season, for SARS-CoV-2, flu A+B and RSV in our 5 Emergency Departments. BSPS is a large network of NHS laboratories serving 5 acute NHS Trusts: Ashford & St Peter's, Frimley Health, Royal Berkshire, Surrey and Sussex and Royal Surrey.

This is a fixed-term contract, with a view to starting in September, preparing for and covering the busy winter respiratory testing season. The post-holder would be employed by Frimley Health but would be expected to work cross-site, supporting all Trusts' SRRS service and associated POCT.

We warmly welcome applications from all pathology disciplines relevant to POCT, as training for the specifics for SRRS can be delivered to the successful candidate. Some previous experience of, or exposure to POCT and SARS-CoV-2 / respiratory virus testing is desirable. We have strong links with Biochemistry, Molecular, Microbiology and Virology and the successful candidate would be encouraged to connect to meet ongoing training and development requirements. We invite discussion with interested candidates on how their career plans can be developed.

Main duties of the job

The BSPS POCT team includes the SRRS testing team, which is a clinically-led by a Consultant Clinical Scientist and also includes Biomedical Scientists with a background in multiple pathology disciplines, associate practitioners and administration support, forming a strong, supportive and flexible team ethic. The service covers a wide range of POCT equipment from multiple pathology disciplines including Biochemistry, Haematology, Microbiology and Virology, in addition to the innovative, pioneering and progressive service for rapid SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory virus testing, which operates PCR testing by Cepheid GeneXpert and Roche Liat. We are a service of choice for manufacturers and NHSE to partner with for device evaluation and early adoption.This post was developed in recognition of the need to support the ongoing requirement to provide rapid PCR testing for respiratory viruses, delivered via 'hot labs' located near to Emergency Departments at our 6 acute sites, and expanded POCT services (eg antigen testing within EDs) to facilitate rapid triaging and support ED flow, and patient cohorting and isolation, to ensure optimal use of resources and patient and staff safety and convenience. The postholder will be encouraged to explore, with clinical staff, the use of rapid SARS-CoV-2 testing service and equipment to improve patient and staff safety, ensure rapid cohorting, improve patient care, support and enable pathways and empower outreach services.

About us

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.

Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.

We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.

Frimley Health Trust benefits on Vimeo

Employer details

Employer name

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Firmley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Camberley

GU16 7UJ

Employer's website

https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

---

Employer details

Employer name

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Firmley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Camberley

GU16 7UJ

Employer's website

https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

---