At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead clinical biochemistry services and ensure high-quality patient care.
- Company: Join Sonic Healthcare, a global leader in medical diagnostics.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for growth and collaboration with top professionals.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: BSc in Biochemistry or related field; Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists preferred.
The predicted salary is between 102007 - 102007 £ per year.
Applications are invited for a Consultant Clinical Scientist post in biochemistry. This is an exciting opportunity for a leadership role within HSL, where the successful candidate will be expected to work with senior management and clinical leads for biochemistry to ensure a high quality service is provided and further developed across the organisation. The post holder is also expected to deputise for the lead consultant on site as needed, under the overall direction of Biochemistry Consultant Specialty Lead.
Health Services Laboratories is part of the Sonic Healthcare UK group. It is a public private partnership between The Doctors Laboratory, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, also providing pathology services to other NHS trusts across North Central London, Hertfordshire and West Essex. HSL's hub laboratory has excellent transport links being based on Euston Road near to King's Cross, St Pancras and Euston stations.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be expected to provide clinical leadership within the automated laboratory at the hub laboratory. Experience with protein analysis or stone analysis will also be highly desired. They should hold Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists. While the role is primarily based at the Halo, the successful candidate will also support the development and routine running of the HSL rapid response laboratories and may be required to travel to those sites on a regular basis. They will be expected to attend MDTs where necessary and to maintain and foster new relationships with clinical staff at the hospitals associated with HSL. They will be required to ensure that all aspects of the running of biochemistry are in compliance with UKAS standards, participate in governance activities, training of staff and the duty biochemist rota.
You will join a team of three other consultant clinical scientists/chemical pathologists, four principal and one senior clinical scientist. We also work closely with chemical pathologist colleagues within the trusts that we serve.
Job responsibilities
Overall Job Purpose: To undertake the scientific duties and responsibilities of a Consultant Clinical Scientist in the Clinical Biochemistry laboratory in the provision of an effective and high quality service to patients. To collaborate and liaise with other members of the laboratory in all matters necessary to achieve the maximum efficiency of the service. To contribute to the overall strategic direction and development of the HSL clinical biochemistry services. To undertake and support training of new and junior scientists, medical trainees and Healthcare staff in advanced analysis.
Main duties
- Consultant having knowledge and expertise in one of the biochemistry specialties and to develop for other specialties on discussion with management and Clinical Lead.
- To provide analytical and scientific direction of laboratory staff performing a broad range of routine and specialised analyses to facilitate investigation and management of patients, in consultation with HSL Clinical Lead and Senior Management.
- To ensure appropriate corrective action is taken to maintain service quality where the need is identified.
- To provide clinical and scientific advice and result interpretation on the tests performed in the automated laboratory to hospital clinicians and GPs and other external users of the service.
- To provide interpretation and advice on results arising from complex biochemistry tests to users within and outwith the department.
- To ensure Standard Operating Procedures within your area of leadership are up to date and followed to ensure exemplary results are obtained.
- To take appropriate corrective action in situations causing, or which have caused, service delivery failure.
- To actively contribute to quality assurance with appropriate interventions where necessary.
- To present and discuss laboratory data at MDT meetings if required.
- In the absence of the clinical and management leads, assume responsibility to provide leadership, guidance and support to the department and staff.
- To participate in the Duty Biochemist and sendaway rotas.
- To participate in the on-call consultant rota where required, acting with sole responsibility and authority for providing out of hours clinical and analytical advice to service users, and analytical and scientific advice and support to laboratory staff.
- To provide support and advice for biochemistry across the Group as needed.
- In discussion with Clinical lead and senior HSL Management, to develop and implement specialist assays as part of the Clinical Biochemistry service to meet client and clinical needs.
- To supervise R&D projects undertaken by trainee clinical scientists, medical trainees and BMS staff.
- To contribute to the evaluation and implementation of new methods to enhance the services offered.
- To deputise for and to support the on site lead Consultant as needed.
- To publish research and development findings in appropriate media, and to present these at local and national meetings, following the required governance practices.
- To provide support and advice to Biochemistry Scientific and Clinical lead as needed on relevant matters for Clinical Biochemistry Services across the HSL group.
Management and administration
- To schedule and prioritise training and other aspects of work.
- To be involved in service development and enhancement, including the setting of service standards and input to protocols in discussion with the Scientific Lead for Chemistry.
- To provide input and support in aligning and revising test reference ranges, target values and cut offs to current clinical guidelines.
- To ensure the integrity of data input to operational systems to allow the generation of audit trails, KPI information and monitoring, activity and other information as required.
- To carry out clinical audit of Clinical Biochemistry services and suggest service improvements as required.
- To attend and contribute to meetings in Clinical Biochemistry and the organisation e.g. quality, clinical service and other relevant meetings as needed.
- To provide advice, guidance and support for relevant External Quality Assurance schemes operated within or by the department.
Training and Education
- To assist in the practical and theoretical training of members of biochemistry team and Medical Trainees, in consultation with the Training Officer and/or Section Lead, Clinical Scientists and Clinical Lead.
- To undertake teaching, competency and induction of relevant new staff and to be actively involved in staff meetings and seminars.
- To keep abreast of current developments in the field and attend courses and meetings as relevant, to ensure a current knowledge of techniques.
- To continue own personal and professional development by participation in a recognised CPD scheme. To maintain registration with the Health and Care Professions Council HCPC and Fellowship with Royal College.
Person Specification
- Ability to apply scientific principles and clinical knowledge to the interpretation and reporting of clinical chemistry test results.
- Excellent technical skills/ trouble-shooting.
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Able to provide teaching and training to junior colleagues, students and other healthcare workers.
- Able to prepare and present scientific and clinical information at meetings.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills.
- Able to advise non-laboratory staff on routine and complex biochemical investigations and their interpretation.
- Flexible, highly motivated, methodical, ability to understand and meet targets and deadlines, able to learn and assimilate new information.
- Ability to troubleshoot, innovate and improve service quality.
- Professional, reliable, efficient and well organised.
Qualifications
- 1st/2nd class BSc in Biochemistry or related subject or assessed equivalent of knowledge and expertise.
- Masters degree or assessed equivalent of knowledge and expertise in the specialty of Clinical Biochemistry.
- Relevant PhD and/or track record of research.
- To be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Hold Fellowship of RCPath.
- Demonstration of continuing professional development as required by RCPath and HCPC.
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.
Depending on experience: Up to £102,007 per annum DOE inclusive of regional pay allowance.
Consultant Clinical Scientist employer: Health Services Laboratories
Health Services Laboratories is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can lead a dedicated team in delivering critical blood transfusion services. With a strong commitment to staff development and compliance with industry standards, employees benefit from continuous growth opportunities and a supportive culture that values teamwork and excellence. Located within the vibrant NHS framework, this role not only provides meaningful work but also contributes significantly to patient care across UCLH and beyond.
Contact Details:
Health Services Laboratories Recruitment Team
