Specialist Healthcare Scientist in Blood Sciences
Band 8a/8b \- Specialist Healthcare Scientist in Blood Sciences
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Band 8a/8b
Main area
Blood Sciences
Grade
Band 8a/8b
Contract
Permanent
Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
Job ref
360\-C\-11085\-D
Department name
West Herts \- General Staffing
Site
Watford and Hemel Hempstead General Hospital
Town
Watford
Salary
£59,798 \- £79,638 pa inc HCA
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
11/06/2026 23:59
Job overview
Do you thrive in a fast\-paced, challenging environment? You can make an impact with us as our next Band 8b Clinical Scientist in Chemical Pathology.
We invite applications from suitably qualified and experienced applicants, with significant experience of working in a busy Chemical Pathology Department.
The successful candidate will be expected to be an experienced HCPC Registered Clinical Scientist in Clinical Biochemistry and have successfully completed the Part 1 FRCPath examination.
This would be an excellent role for a Band 8a Scientist wishing to increase their knowledge, skills, and experience in a stimulating and supportive environment. At a band 8a level this would be a developmental post.
You would be supported to successfully complete a set of competencies prior to obtaining a Band 8b post. Training and supervision would be provided.
Those with part 1 FRCPath who are actively working towards obtaining part 2 FRCPath are encouraged to apply. This post will provide full support in preparing for part 2 FRCPath.
Registration as a Clinical Scientist is essential.
Main duties of the job
The post holder is expected to lead the Proteins section of the laboratory and play a major role in the departments Quality Management System.
They will also be expected to undertake, protocol development, clinical and scientific liaison within the network including ‘duty’ biochemist.
They will work closely with IT as data analyst. They will contribute to medical teaching and training trainee clinical scientists.
The appointee will assist the Head of Department and other members of the Consultant team in providing a comprehensive, cost effective and high\-quality Chemical Pathology service in our laboratories which is compliant to ISO15189:2012 standard.
The department are actively working to the ISO15189:2022 standard. The appointee will represent the Chemical Pathology Department at relevant Trust and Pathology meetings and will contribute to service improvement as well as facilitating delivery of current service provision across the department.
Working for our organisation
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.
We are building on the success of our award\-winning virtual hospital and re\-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.
We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.
www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking
If you have a disability or long\-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net
If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
There is a full 24/7 hour acute/urgent analytical service at Watford General Hospital and a Monday to Friday, 08:00 am to 20:00 pm, non\-urgent service provided at the Hemel Hempstead site.
The successful candidate is expected to work across sites as required.
The post holder will be expected to participate in the on\-call roster for the provision of clinical advice out of hours after appropriate training.
The laboratory is fully automated using Roche Cobas platforms for automated chemistry, and immunochemistry and Sebia system for protein electrophoresis.
The Trust is committed to the personal development of its staff at all levels.
A new shared pathology network is created with pathology colleagues across the local Integrated Care System (ICS) including East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB). Health Services Laboratories (HSL) is the newly appointed provider for shared networked pathology service provider.
This role requires working closely with Consultants, Team Leaders, Quality Leads, and Chemical Pathology operation manager and Pathology Board Unit (PBU).
Person specification
Education and qualifications:
Essential criteria
- First Degree or assessed equivalent of knowledge and expertise.
- Master’s Degree or assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise in speciality of Clinical Biochemistry.
- Fellow of Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) as required for Medical Consultant.
- Demonstration of Continuing Professional Development at agreed level of participation.
- Registration as a clinical scientist with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Desirable criteria
- PhD.
Knowledge:
Essential criteria
- To have a thorough knowledge of human biochemistry and chemistry including metabolic processes, physiology, pharmacology and drug interference.
- To have a sound basic knowledge in other areas of Pathology.
- To have an extensive knowledge of routine and specialised analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving.
- Able to perform risk assessments on a variety of laboratory situations.
- Fully conversant with COSHH regulations and their application to laboratories.
- To have knowledge of metabolic medicine in adults, children and neonates including inherited disorders, endocrinology disease and toxicology.
- Able to perform clinical risk assessments and resolve problems or investigate complaints relating to the service as part of Clinical Governance.
- Extensive knowledge of national professional and NHS guidelines relating to service provision and quality.
- Knowledge of resource allocations and procurement.
Desirable criteria
- To have expert knowledge in a highly specialised area e.g. Protein electrophoresis, chromatography, endocrinology.
- To have expert knowledge in a specialised area.
- Knowledge by experience of national committees of profession of NHS or international groups.
Experience:
Essential criteria
- Demonstrated experience as a Registered Clinical Scientist, including substantial practice at an advanced practitioner level (8A).
Desirable criteria
- To have attained status as a national or international expert or adviser.
- To have developed an expertise in one or more specialised analytical or clinical areas to a point of acting at an expert level within the Trust.
- To have attained a good record of achievement in research, development and audit activities, through presentations at national or international conferences and publication in peer reviewed journals.
As an employer of nearly 6,000 people the Trust is one of the biggest employers in the area and sees nearly a million patients each year.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.
- Job Description (PDF, 579\.3KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
Name
Mr Bharat Patel
Job title
Consultant Clinical Scientist
Email address
bharat.patel11@nhs.net
Telephone number
01923 217573
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