Clinical Scientist

We are seeking an enthusiastic Clinical Scientist to join the Biochemical Sciences department at Synnovis. This role offers an excellent opportunity to work within an experienced and motivated team providing a comprehensive diagnostic service for inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs). Mass Spectrometry underpins much of the department's work: diagnosis and monitoring of inherited metabolic diseases including purine metabolism; the delivery of newborn screening for the southeast Thames region; and selected therapeutic drug monitoring. The department is equipped with tandem mass spectrometers, gas chromatography-mass spectrometers and high-performance liquid chromatography analysers.

The successful candidate will be based in the inherited metabolic disease laboratory and potentially also the newborn screening laboratory, supporting the continued delivery and development of these specialist services. The post involves close collaboration with scientists, clinicians and other healthcare professionals providing valuable exposure to the clinical application of laboratory science and the management of patients with metabolic disorders. Clinical scientist candidates who will soon obtain registration are welcome to apply. Attainment of FRCPath part 1 is encouraged and supported by Synnovis.

Main duties of the job

• Hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment.
• Day‑to‑day responsibility for the provision of a range of clinical, technical and scientific diagnostic activities, including interpretation and clinical validation of results; communicating complex information and advice that will aid and determine clinical diagnosis.
• Supervise and provide specialised training to less experienced employees, students, trainees and other healthcare professionals.
• Undertake research in your own field under the direction of more senior clinical scientist colleagues, contributing to the development of specialist investigations, identifying better ways of working and finding efficiencies in service delivery.
• Participate in research activities and publications; attend and present at regional, national and international meetings.
• Spend a proportion of time focused on quality and UKAS orientated activities, service development and technical and clinical validation of results.

About us

You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The ACCE competencies programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding/support for advanced qualifications. Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.

Job responsibilities

• Maintain standards of conduct required by the HCPC to practice as a registered Clinical Scientist.
• Perform investigations in line with local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including but not limited to result authorisation, ordering follow‑up laboratory procedures, initiating actions, escalating results when required.
• Perform necessary action on the Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), ensuring all Information Governance (IG) requirements are met.
• Communicate complex results, including making clinical and differential judgements involving complicated facts or situations that impact on patients.
• Provide specialist expertise and technical advice to other laboratory and clinical colleagues as required and within limits of competency.
• Participate in the strategic development and service improvement of the analytical service, being responsible for the implementation of new techniques, equipment, and tests, including all verification and validation work.
• Keep up to date with new developments by regular literature reviews and attendance at relevant conferences.
• Undertake research projects in specialised area in collaboration or as requested by Principal or Consultant Clinical Scientists.
• Ensure outcomes from research and development are placed in the public domain by publication and presentation at relevant local, national and international conferences.
• Ensure all incidents and events are correctly reported by junior staff in Q‑Pulse quality management database and other relevant software and support them in learning quality procedures and investigations.
• In conjunction with the Quality team, monitor, report and action errors, hazards, and incidents logged in the CAPA module of Q‑Pulse.
• Participate in appropriate clinical audits and take part in all Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activity in your area.
• Monitor, and report on EQA and IQC procedures and be responsible for corrective action on problems that have been identified.
• Ensure compliance with all legislative and quality requirements of regulatory directives, accreditation bodies, and local management including Care Quality Commission, UKAS, Synnovis policies and SOPs, and any other body in area of responsibility.
• Prepare statistical reports for use in meetings, quality assurance, and development events.
• Develop, prepare, write and review relevant documents, including SOPs, COSHH and risk assessments in line with the ISO 15189 standard.
• Provide supervision for employees, including participating in the departmental clinical rota, potentially including out of hours cover.
• Ensure that all Synnovis policies and procedures are implemented and maintained.
• Encourage junior employees in their scientific expertise, knowledge and professional development, including the safe use of highly complex and sensitive equipment.
• Deliver training and supervision of less experienced colleagues in your area of specialism.
• Demonstrate professionalism, patience and empathy when explaining complex subjects, and in particular when communicating with people who do not share same level of knowledge or understanding.
• Attend, and where required, chair regular departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.
• Work closely with Operations Manager to ensure stock inventory compliance.
• Deputise for the Principal or Consultant Clinical Scientist including attendance at meetings, as required.
• Take part in CPD activities to ensure that your practices and knowledge are always relevant and up to date to your specific area.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• First or second‑class honours degree in relevant scientific subject or Healthcare Science MSc in relevant scientific subject.
• HCPC State registration as a Clinical Scientist.
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
• Willing to work towards higher levels of professional practice such as PhD or FRCPath Part 1.

Experience

• Registered clinical scientist with a detailed working knowledge of specific discipline.
• Education of physiology, pathology, and scientific principles relevant to specialism.
• Experience in and ability to perform and supervise analysis, interpretation and technical validation of routine, complex and specialist results.
• Using Laboratory Information Management Systems.
• Maintaining quality systems.
• Resolving troubleshooting activity for highly technical and precision equipment and assays.
• Involvement in research and development projects.
• Leadership qualities with experience of coaching, coordinating and managing a team.
• Experience working with mass spectrometry assays.

Skills & Knowledge

• A high degree of skill, knowledge and judgement where interpretation of results can be highly subjective.
• Well‑developed physical skills, demonstrable ability to use precision equipment and consumables.
• Ability to troubleshoot and train those who use the Laboratory Information Management Systems.
• Ability to manage effectively in a dynamic environment with multiple conflicting priorities.
• Competent at communicating verbally and in writing with colleagues, clinical staff and external parties.
• Ability to effectively manage own time, able to prioritise work for self and study.
• Ability to maintain focus and concentration for extended periods of time.
• Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).
• Knowledge of the correct policies and procedures to implement in relation to quality systems, with reference to ISO/UKAS.
• Knowledge of the management of laboratory procedures in your own areas, including following Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
• Good awareness of current issues within pathology locally and nationally.
• Awareness and understanding of current trends in field of expertise.

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.