Job summary
NHS Wales - Trainee Clinical Scientists - Haematology and Transfusion Science
Exciting opportunities to use your degree for patient and public benefit
Gain a masters degree and specialist work-based experience through a nationally recognised training programme
Starting salary will be on the first point of Band 6 on a 3-year fixed-term contract.
Healthcare science is one of the most exciting and dynamic areas to work in. Join a unique team who are inspired to apply their exceptional scientific knowledge and skills to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and the rehabilitation of patients. As you will be based in a blood establishment, you will be required to specialize in Blood Transfusion by taking the appropriate specialist modules.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Main duties of the job
Haematology and Transfusion Science are clinical scientific disciplines within Pathology. Haematology can be categorized into three disciplines (Diagnostic Haematology, Haematological Malignancy and Haemostasis) which involves analysis and interpretation of results to help in the diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, and screening for disease. Transfusion requires an understanding of underlying clinical disorders to provide patients with safe and effective blood components. Blood establishments are responsible for collecting and testing blood donations for blood groups and screening for transmissible disease, prior to distribution to hospitals.
Patient testing can be performed in both blood establishments and hospital transfusion laboratories. Tests include routine blood grouping, antibody identification, red cell phenotyping, and cross-matching to ensure patients receive compatible blood. Complex investigations are referred to a Red Cell Immunohaematology reference centre, such as the Welsh Blood Service (WBS). Staff in the WBS provide expert advice to other NHS organisations and also participate in research and development work.
About us
Haematology and Transfusion utilises many different analytical techniques in addition to providing clinical and scientific advice to clinical colleagues. You will benefit from attending a range of clinics and multi-disciplinary team meetings. It is an attractive specialism, making a considerable contribution to direct patient care, in addition to undertaking research, implementing service developments and innovation in the field of diagnostics.
Trainees will be required to rotate through other areas which will involve secondments to other locations. For individuals with aptitude and commitment there are opportunities to progress through the career pathway, to include undertaking the examinations to gain Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists and a Consultant Clinical Scientist position. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who are motivated to pursue their career within Wales.
Further advice on the training, role, and career opportunities of a Clinical scientist in Haematology and Transfusion Science can be found at https://www.rcpath.org and http://www.nshcs.hee.nhs.uk .
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will be employed by Velindre NHS Trust for the duration of their three-year post-graduate training programme. Trainees are also enrolled for a fully funded part time vocational masters degree in Clinical Science (Haematology and Transfusion Science).
A Job Description and Person Specification can be viewed in Trac.
The NHS in Wales is offering 1 salaried post-graduate training programmes in Haematology and Transfusion Science for high-calibre science graduates who are passionate about science and its role in patient care.
This is a three-year post-graduate programme and the successful candidates will be employed by an NHS Wales organisation for the duration of their training and will be based in one of:
- 1x VUNT, Welsh Blood Service
The training is aligned with the Scientific Training Programme (STP) and supported by the National School of Healthcare Science.
Posts are due to commence in September 2024.
For further information about these training positions, please contact:
elisabeth.davies@wales.nhs.uk / (01443) 622367 / 1797 2367 for Haematology and Transfusion Science at VUNT
Interviews will be held face to face.
Closing date for applications for all posts: 19/02/2024
If you want to attend an open day to speak to the Welsh Blood Service team and see the Centre please complete the Microsoft Forms:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=uChWuyjjgkCoVkM8ntyPrgakg2Kl9aFPhwVBRwwi2H5UNk5NNEMyRU5EVUVEMlNDVVpWRU9KODJZQS4u&origin=QRCode
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will be employed by Velindre NHS Trust for the duration of their three-year post-graduate training programme. Trainees are also enrolled for a fully funded part time vocational masters degree in Clinical Science (Haematology and Transfusion Science).
A Job Description and Person Specification can be viewed in Trac.
The NHS in Wales is offering 1 salaried post-graduate training programmes in Haematology and Transfusion Science for high-calibre science graduates who are passionate about science and its role in patient care.
This is a three-year post-graduate programme and the successful candidates will be employed by an NHS Wales organisation for the duration of their training and will be based in one of:
- 1x VUNT, Welsh Blood Service
The training is aligned with the Scientific Training Programme (STP) and supported by the National School of Healthcare Science.
Posts are due to commence in September 2024.
For further information about these training positions, please contact:
elisabeth.davies@wales.nhs.uk / (01443) 622367 / 1797 2367 for Haematology and Transfusion Science at VUNT
Interviews will be held face to face.
Closing date for applications for all posts: 19/02/2024
If you want to attend an open day to speak to the Welsh Blood Service team and see the Centre please complete the Microsoft Forms:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=uChWuyjjgkCoVkM8ntyPrgakg2Kl9aFPhwVBRwwi2H5UNk5NNEMyRU5EVUVEMlNDVVpWRU9KODJZQS4u&origin=QRCode
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Applicants must have an honours degree (1st or 2.1) in a pure or applied science relevant to the specialism for which they are applying. (Applicants with a relevant 2.2 degree will also be considered if they have an MSc or PhD in the specialism for which they are applying).
- Have an understanding of quality control and management assurance in a science or work-based context.
- Has an understanding of the role of their chosen specialism in healthcare and disease and its application in a healthcare setting.
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge acquired through study and experience to formulate appropriate advice and judgments.
- Have taken part in supervised clinical activity to postgraduate diploma level.
Desirable
- For all candidates evidence of research experience, e.g., in the form of a higher degree or equivalent evidence of scientific and academic capability, is considered desirable.
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- A committed in-depth interest in Scientific Practice and its application to direct clinical care of patients in a clinical environment
- Ability to develop proficiency in the performance of routine and complex techniques currently in use where they are training and the ability to develop and validate new techniques.
- Ability to design research investigations and experiments.
- Able to identify problems associated with scientific equipment, inappropriate testing, and incompatible results and to investigate these, plan corrective action confirming appropriateness with senior colleagues and follow up.
- Ability to work under pressure and ability to prioritise and plan work.
Other
Essential
- Highly developed co-ordination skills with good dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination and those skills required for the performance of fine analytical techniques.
- Ability to meet the travel requirements of the training role and the clinical rotations.
Desirable
- Welsh Language Skills are desirable (level 1) in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh, or willingness to work towards.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Applicants must have an honours degree (1st or 2.1) in a pure or applied science relevant to the specialism for which they are applying. (Applicants with a relevant 2.2 degree will also be considered if they have an MSc or PhD in the specialism for which they are applying).
- Have an understanding of quality control and management assurance in a science or work-based context.
- Has an understanding of the role of their chosen specialism in healthcare and disease and its application in a healthcare setting.
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge acquired through study and experience to formulate appropriate advice and judgments.
- Have taken part in supervised clinical activity to postgraduate diploma level.
Desirable
- For all candidates evidence of research experience, e.g., in the form of a higher degree or equivalent evidence of scientific and academic capability, is considered desirable.
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- A committed in-depth interest in Scientific Practice and its application to direct clinical care of patients in a clinical environment
- Ability to develop proficiency in the performance of routine and complex techniques currently in use where they are training and the ability to develop and validate new techniques.
- Ability to design research investigations and experiments.
- Able to identify problems associated with scientific equipment, inappropriate testing, and incompatible results and to investigate these, plan corrective action confirming appropriateness with senior colleagues and follow up.
- Ability to work under pressure and ability to prioritise and plan work.
Other
Essential
- Highly developed co-ordination skills with good dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination and those skills required for the performance of fine analytical techniques.
- Ability to meet the travel requirements of the training role and the clinical rotations.
Desirable
- Welsh Language Skills are desirable (level 1) in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh, or willingness to work towards.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
