Clinical Scientist (Biochemist), Band 8a

To participate in the provision and development of a high-quality Clinical Biochemistry service, under the overall supervision of the Head of Department & Consultant Chemical Pathologist. The department operates on two sites and provides a 24 hour per day 365 days per year service that receives more than 1.2 million requests (13.2 million tests) per year. This role requires the use of specialised clinical, scientific and technical knowledge to contribute to the provision of a high-quality service, responsive to stakeholder needs.

Deputy to the Quality Officer for Clinical Biochemistry, including method validation and verification, IQC and EQA review and troubleshooting, laboratory support and clinical liaison.

As a member of the Clinical Biochemistry clinical team, to contribute to the Duty Biochemist rota, working with a team of three other clinical scientists, two consultant chemical pathologists and one Specialist Registrar, to authorise results and deal with laboratory and clinical queries.

Contribute to leadership, quality management, governance, service development and staff training within the department.

Biochemistry Clinical Lead for Point of Care Testing (POCT). This role includes leading on the selection and management of POCT analysers supported by the department, working closely with the departmental POCT lead co-ordinator and the POCT team, as well as wider members of primary and secondary care and clinical service users.

Main duties of the job:

• Clinical lead for POCT; leading on the selection and management of POCT analysers supported by the department, working closely with the departmental POCT lead co-ordinator, trust clinical lead and other key stakeholders.
• Deputise for the lead in Quality Assurance/Quality control for the department, in the review and evaluation of IQC and EQA to maintain the service to the required standard.
• Contribute to duty biochemist rota.

Assist in communicating and resolving existing or evolving analytical problems with laboratory personnel at all levels. Provide the final authorisation of complex test results generated within the laboratory and participate in the diagnostic decision-making process by commenting on the reports with suggestions for further investigations or treatment.

To act as a largely independent practitioner, but under the overall supervision of the Consultant Chemical Pathologist, in the provision of clinical and scientific advice on the appropriateness, interpretation and performance of patient investigations and laboratory results.

Use professional judgement to discuss, direct and advise on the investigation of patients and on the interpretation of complex analytical data with all grades of clinical staff, within and outside the Trust, taking responsibility for individual patient outcomes.

Use professional judgement to instigate additional investigations that may be appropriate to an individual patient as a member of the clinical team caring for that patient.

Organise, monitor and report on the results of complex analyses with laboratories throughout the UK. Where required, vet these requests for appropriateness and discuss any issues with all grades of clinical staff.

To identify and discuss with national experts the initial investigation of suspected rare conditions, to organise these often-complex investigations with other laboratories throughout the UK.

Take an active role in the scientific work of the department including collaboration with other clinical departments in the implementation of new services.

Evaluate and implement new analysers and analytical techniques as required by the department.

Additional contract details: Fixed term 12 months maternity cover. The proposed interview date is 1st December.

Person Specification:

• HCPC registered Clinical Scientist
• Further education i.e. degree in biochemistry or allied subject and MSc in Blood Science - Clinical Biochemistry or equivalent.
• Royal College of Pathologists Part 1 Clinical Biochemistry examination.
• Demonstrate evidence of continued professional development (CPD) e.g. courses/meetings attended, presentations, quality improvement projects.
• PhD or research experience.

Knowledge:

• Proven experience and broad knowledge of the technical, scientific and clinical aspects of all aspects of Clinical Biochemistry.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Organisational and time management skills.
• Participate in UKNEQAS interpretive comments scheme or equivalent.

Experience:

• Recent experience working in a Clinical Biochemistry laboratory as a Clinical Scientist or Trainee Clinical Scientist.
• Experience troubleshooting internal quality control (IQC) and external quality assessment (EQA) issues.
• Experience of working as an independent practitioner.
• Experience of Point of Care Testing (POCT) e.g. verification, governance, troubleshooting.
• Experience of working with Roche analytical platforms.
• Experience of working as a duty biochemist.
• Experience of maintaining service quality to United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) standards.

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.