Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to recruit a HCPC registered Principal Clinical Scientist to work within Clinical Biochemistry. The department provides a comprehensive service to the acute hospitals and surrounding primary care networks and commissioning teams from two main sites at Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. The service is currently undertaking two major projects (new managed service contract for laboratory equipment and new LIMS) that will see the latest technologies introduced and future proof the service to continue to develop excellent services for its patients, in line with regional and national agendas. The laboratory offers a wide range of routine automated testing as well as xanthochromia analysis, specialist faecal testing, liver fibrosis markers and testing for the myeloma service.

Alongside our outstanding development opportunities and excellent NHS benefits, relocation expenses will be considered in line with Trust policy. Durham and Darlington are exciting places to live with vibrant, expanding centres which are close to beautiful countryside. Both benefit from excellent transport links

Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will, in conjunction with consultant staff, be responsible and accountable for the provision of a comprehensive Clinical Biochemistry service and to maintain the quality of the service to the standards set nationally by UKAS (ISO 15189). In addition, they will be able to provide an advisory service in all aspects of Clinical Biochemistry to their colleagues Trust-wide. They will demonstrate an enthusiasm for learning and have excellent written and verbal communication skills to work effectively with the other staff in the Clinical Biochemistry laboratory and other sections of the pathology service. The laboratory is accredited according to UKAS 15189 standards and is an accredited training laboratory for the provision of the Clinical Biochemistry Training Programme (STP).

Training and Education are of vital importance to the team, and the post holder will play an active role in contributing to the education of our clinical and scientific team as well as the departments Clinical Scientist trainee.

About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide a high quality advisory and interpretive service in all aspects of Clinical Biochemistry to users, clinicians, GPs and other healthcare professionals.

The post holder will:

• be responsible for participating in research, development and the provision of specialised, non-routine diagnostic services.
• Assist in delivery of a quality, cost effective and patient focussed service from a combination of specialist areas within the department.
• Provide highly specialised advice and interpretation, and to perform final authorisation of patient reports for hospital and primary care clinical staff.
• Carry out research and development and audit in the field of clinical biochemistry.
• Be part of the departmental Duty Biochemist in a rota with other scientific and medical staff.
• Perform specialised, nationally accredited analyses on body fluids, sometimes involving direct patient contact.
• Responsible for personal use of highly complex equipment e.g. multi-channel chemistry analysers. The post holder will be a senior member of the department offering scientific and clinical advice to the laboratory and laboratory service users.
• actively assist in providing advisory service to Clinicians and GPs within normal working hours and rotation to any site as required. The post holder will be part of the Duty Biochemist team, a team of Clinical Biochemists and Clinicians, responsible for the validation and interpretation of results and advisory service
• provide training to junior technical staff.
• assist in service development and quality improvement.

It is expected that FRCPath part 1 will be achieved within 2 years of appointment.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Supervised in service experience. Three years of training in Biochemistry. Basic knowledge of managerial processes and structures within the NHS. Implement policies, proposes changes to practices for area. Ensures implementation of policies, proposes changes to practices for work area

Qualifications
Essential

• 1st or upper 2nd class honours degree in Biochemistry or Chemistry MSc in Clinical Biochemistry or assessed equivalent knowledge. Successful certified completion or near completion of a formal postgraduate training programme approved as appropriate for registration as a Clinical Scientist with the HCPC.

Special Requirements
Essential

• Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post Physical Skills: Good hand eye co-ordination for fine manipulation of instrumentation. Personal Attributes: Able to maintain self-control in difficult and challenging situations and to take control of situations where more junior staff are in difficulty. Self confidence.
• Data entry, text processing or storage of data; regular requirement to use computer software to interpret reports. Day to day supervision; clinical supervision; practical training/ specialist training Supervises junior staff, may lead team for own work area; provides clinical supervision; trains less experienced staff/ provides specialist training to own or other disciplines Occasional/frequent exposure to unpleasant conditions Handles contained or controlled hazardous materials, contact with body fluids Concentration for tests, investigations, frequent interruptions for urgent tests; microscope or equivalent work for lengthy periods.
• Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence

Statutory Registration
Essential

• Registered as a Clinical Scientist with the Health Professions Council

Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• Highly specialist expertise underpinned by theoretical knowledge & experience following three years for specialty training. Understanding of specialist healthcare science activities. Thorough knowledge of human biochemistry and metabolic medicine. Knowledge of and training in research, development and audit techniques. Regularly undertakes research and audit work to facilitate service improvements. A wide range of analytical methods, analytical techniques and in instrumentation Thorough knowledge and understanding of Quality assurance requirements for results and laboratory operations. Computer skills and statistics Complex facts or situations, requiring analysis, interpretation, comparison of Options. Analysis and interpretation of test, investigation results. Provide specialist/ highly specialist clinical technical services; provide Interview
• specialised/highly specialised advice. Undertakes, screens, interprets diagnostic tests, including equipment testing/ highly specialist tests, including specialist equipment testing; clinicians/specialist, clinical and scientific advice to clinician

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).

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.