Senior Clinical Scientist

Job responsibilities

Clinical and Scientific:

1. To provide with the Consultant Chemical Pathologist and Consultant Clinical Scientist a comprehensive clinical biochemical service for all users of the WRH clinical biochemistry service including the Acute Trust, general practitioners and other hospitals. To include

• Giving clinical advice to doctors, nurses, midwives and other health care professionals on all aspects of the laboratory service.
• Validation and interpretation of results from all sections of the laboratory.
• Advising on testing strategies where further tests are indicated from the results.
• Input into the production of clinical guidelines.

2. To rotate in the Protein section of the laboratory. To include

• Ensuring the quality of results over a wide range of analytes.

Interpreting complex quantitative and qualitative results. Advising on follow up tests and being directly responsible for section outcomes.

3. To rotate into the Redditch Manual testing section of the laboratory. To include:

• Ensuring the quality of results over a wide range of analytes
• Interpreting complex quantitative and qualitative results. Advising on follow up tests and being directly responsible for section outcomes.
• Contributing to the development of the section with a view to implementing MSMS technology and developing assays for this section
• Troubleshooting any problems

4 To provide support, together with the Senior BMS and Consultant Clinical Scientist, for the development and provision of automated tests for the department. To include

• Helping with the provision and updating of protocols appropriate to automation
• Assisting in the implantation and validation/verification of new tests
• Working with the lead BMS and Consultant Clinical Scientist in the Evaluation and implementation of new equipment

5. To support the laboratory quality lead to maintain quality process in a timely manner. To Include

• Keeping abreast of quality issues in the laboratory
• Ensuring the Consultant Clinical Scientist and Laboratory Director are informed of any major problems.
• Audit of practice where indicated

6. To assist the Consultant Clinical Scientist and IT department to perform data extractions. To include

1. Workload, TAT and error rate extractions
2. Working to document improvements to the system

7. To support IT leads on the implementation of IT changes in the biochemistry laboratory working with the Consultants, Pathology IT leads and Laboratory manager.

• Includes implementation and validation of changes

8. To be involved in the planning and implementation of new developments in the service. This involves performing research and development work, speaking at clinical and scientific meeting both locally and nationally and writing scientific papers. Representing the department at these meetings.

10. To support other senior laboratory staff in the supervision of technical work so as to maintain the required high standards at all times.

11. To work within all accepted rules and procedures of the department and adhere to laboratory Health and Safety policies.

12. To present complex and sensitive information to clinical, nursing and other staff within the Trust and primary care.

13. To ensure that any problems related to the effectiveness of the service that are identified through the process of quality assurance and audit are resolved quickly, lessons learned and procedures changed to prevent recurrence.

14. To participate in continuing Professional Development (CPD). Attendance at local/regional/national meetings appropriate to responsibilities and interests as part of CPD is required.

15. To work towards the attainment of FRCPath, including undertaking a research project if necessary.

Training:

16. To keep abreast of new techniques and developments in the department. To participate in and organize where appropriate the training and supervision of other laboratory staff as required.

17. To maintain registration with the Health Professions Council (HCPC) and to fulfill the standards of proficiency laid down by them.

18. To participate in the educational activities provided by the department and giving presentations at departmental and local Scientific/Clinical meetings.

General

19. To participate in the regular Senior Staff meeting.

20. To share the responsibility of risk management with other senior members of staff in the laboratory.

21. To maintain the application of agreed working practices and methods throughout the laboratory including Health and Safety procedures.

22. To ensure that SOPs for all areas of responsibility are complete and up to date.

23. To collaborate in the planning and implementation of all service developments as indicated in the laboratory plans and reports.

24. To participate in the work of advisory and management groups as required, e.g. Clinical Biochemistry meeting.

25. To show evidence of participation in continuing education i.e. CPD as appropriate and to participate in the departmental arrangements for the education and training of other staff.

26. To contribute to UKAS accreditation for the department.

27. To undertake other duties commensurate with the post as agreed with the Head of Department.

Qualifications

Essential

• First or second class honours degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry or a related subject
• Masters degree (or assessed equivalent level of knowledge) in the speciality of Clinical Biochemistry or evidence of near completion
• Complete or near completion of pre-registration Clinical Scientist training program

Desirable

• PhD
• To have completed post graduate training approved as appropriate for HCPC registration as a clinical scientist, together with supervised in-service experience totalling a minimum of 3 years

Experience

Essential

• To have a knowledge of clinical biochemistry
• To have a good knowledge of routine and specialised analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving
• To have good all-round analytical / technical skills
• Able to use and manipulate laboratory computer systems and standard computer software packages.
• Able to maintain intense concentration despite frequent interruptions.
• Able to analyse complex information from outside the service as well as within and use it to evaluate differential diagnoses.

Desirable

• Experience in the delivery of Protein Electrophoresis.
• Experience in HPLC Tandem Mass Spectrometry
• Evidence of ability to conduct research and development
• Experience in computer programming or LIMS management.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English
• Able to advise senior medical staff, nursing staff and other health professionals on investigations and interpretation of biochemical and metabolic processes in complex situations and using data from other specialties.
• Able to prepare and present complex scientific and clinical information at local, national or international conferences
• Able to establish and maintain effective networks with professional, clinical and managerial colleagues within and beyond the Trust
• Broad range of IT skills

Desirable

• Ability to use the evidence base and clinical audit to support decision making
• Able to recognise patterns of abnormality and relate them to clinical situations and provide appropriate clinical advice.
• Able to write scientific papers

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Ability to work in a team
• Enquiring, critical approach to work
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, GPs, nurses and other agencies as appropriate
• Commitment to Continuing Medical Education

Desirable

• Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local regional or national levels

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 (opens in a new window).