Job overview

This role is for a Band 8a Healthcare Scientist Specialist within Clinical Biochemistry at Derriford Combined Laboratory, providing expert scientific and clinical support across the Trust, primary care, and external organisations.

The post holder will contribute to the delivery of a high-quality, timely, and cost-effective diagnostic service, including independent interpretation and authorisation of complex laboratory results and provision of specialist clinical advice to healthcare professionals.

The role also supports service development, research, audit, and quality improvement, while contributing to multidisciplinary working, education, and training of staff and students.

The post holder will take clinical responsibility for a defined specialist area, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards and continuous enhancement of patient care.

***Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome. ***

Main duties of the job

The post holder will independently interpret and report routine and specialist biochemical investigations, providing urgent clinical advice and ensuring appropriate follow-up of significant results.

They will lead and contribute to service development, including validation and implementation of new methods, technologies, and evidence-based practices. Responsibilities include maintaining quality assurance systems, ensuring compliance with ISO15189 standards, and investigating analytical or clinical issues.

The role involves delivering education and competency-based training to multidisciplinary staff, participating in research, audit, and publication activities, and supporting clinical governance.

The post holder will also undertake managerial duties such as leading a specialist service area, contributing to operational planning, improving efficiency, preparing business cases, and deputising for senior leadership when required, while maintaining effective communication with clinicians and stakeholders to support integrated patient care.

Working for our organisation

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.