Skip to main content
Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Clinical Biochemistry (Clinical Scientist)
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (! in 5 on call)
Job ref
297-6203548
Employer
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
QE Hospital Gateshead
Town
Gateshead
Salary
£50,952 - £57,349 pa
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
26/05/2024 23:59
Interview date
03/06/2024

Employer heading

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust logo

Principal Clinical Biochemist

NHS AfC: Band 8a

In the event of excessive applications being received this vacancy may close earlier than the stated closing date, you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible  

IMPORTANT NOTE ON COMPLETION OF REFERENCE SECTION OF APPLICATION FORM

All references from current and previous employers will be sought and MUST cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Where possible this should be from two separate employers. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.

PLEASE NOTE it is a requirement of this Trust that all successful applicants pay for their DBS certificate if a check is required for the post. This will be done through deduction from your monthly pay over a maximum of three months. It is also a requirement that all successful applicants register  or are registered with the DBS update service where a DBS is required. 

All new entrants to the NHS will be appointed on the minimum of the pay scale in line with Terms & Conditions.

 

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a clinical scientist (registered or within 6 months) to join our team in a busy and highly automated hub laboratory providing high quality 24/7 biochemistry services across 3 Hospitals and GPs in the South of Tyne and Wear area.

This post is funded full time but we are willing to consider part-time or other flexible working arrangements.

This post is ideal for someone who wants to further develop their career beyond HCPC registration in a large multi-site department that offers a wide range of experiences.  Full training will be given in all aspects of the service by our experienced team of clinical biochemists, two consultant clinical scientists (band 8D), 3 principal scientists (8A-8B) (including 1 HSST) and an STP trainee.

Ideally, we are looking for experienced candidates for band 8A, who have successfully completed Part 1 FRCPath, but we will consider those who are recently registered or who are nearing registration for band 7 with automatic progression to band 8a on passing part 1.  We are approved by the NSHCS for STP and HSST training and have an excellent reputation for supporting clinical biochemists throughout FRCPath and on to more senior posts.

All Pathology labs at Gateshead are fully accredited to ISO 15189 and the POCT service is one of very few accredited to ISO 22870.  The department also provides two high quality regional screening services for bowel and cervical cancer serving a population of more than 8 million.

Main duties of the job

To provide an advisory and interpretive service in all aspects of Clinical Biochemistry to users, clinicians, GPs and other healthcare professionals.

To take a role in research, development and the provision of specialised, non-routine diagnostic services.

To develop an area of specialised analysis/testing within the Laboratory. 

There are ample opportunities for service development and research in pathology.  In addition to the full range of blood sciences and microbiology automated equipment, we have a Diasorin Liaison, DS automated ELISA, two Waters LC tandem MS analysers, several Roche high throughput molecular diagnostics analysers and FTIR spectroscopy for our specialist renal calculi service. Our clinical biochemistry team also lead the protein and urine electrophoresis service (Helena).

There are many opportunities for clinical biochemists to take up senior leadership and/or training and education roles within pathology and there is a high level of support for development activity.

Working for our organisation

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the ‘golden thread’ which runs through everything we do – they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women’s Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our ‘Balance’ programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

 

To work with the HofD in ensuring the provision of a comprehensive clinical biochemistry service for Primary Care and Secondary Care across the SOTW region. To maintain the quality of service according to the standards set out in ISO15189.

To provide a clinical advisory and interpretive service in all aspects of Clinical Biochemistry to users, clinicians, GPs and other healthcare professionals (including out of hours with appropriate experience).

To take a role in research, development and the provision of specialised, non routine diagnostic services.

To be responsible, in conjunction with other senior departmental staff, for ensuring compliance with Clinical Governance requirements.

To develop a an area of specialised analysis/testing within the Laboratory.

 

 

 
 

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrate specialist clinical and scientific knowledge of clinical biochemistry
  • FRCPath part 1 examination passed
Desirable criteria
  • Research skill

IT

Essential criteria
  • High level IT skills

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • HCPC registration as a clinical scientist
  • FRCPath part 1 examination passed
  • Lifesciences BSc plus MSc in Clinical Biochemistry
  • Certified completion of NSHCS STP training programme or equiv.
Desirable criteria
  • PhD

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Dr David Kennedy
Job title
Clinical Lead for Pathology and Biochemistry
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0191 445 6511
Additional information

For further details or to arrange a visit please contact David Kennedy (Clinical Lead) on 0191 445 6511 or Susan Troup (Principal Biochemist) on 0191 445 6566.

Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies