Job summary
We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic individual to join our team in the Clinical Biochemistry Department at Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trust, a partner within the South West London Pathology (SWLP) Network.
The role will enable your continued development as a Clinical Scientist, build on your broad range of experience in Clinical Biochemistry and provide scientific input into both the core automated and the specialist laboratories of the Biochemistry department, including the South West Thames Newborn Blood Spot Screening services.
Within this main area the Trust serves approximately 510,000 people. It also provides medical care for a wider population, particularly for certain specialist services. The Trust includes the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and a dedicated Children's Hospital with an accredited Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Across the SWLP network, all Clinical Scientists participate in regular meetings and educational sessions which allow for training opportunities. Full support will also be provided for the attainment of FRCPath examinations
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will join our existing friendly team at Epsom and St Helier Hospitals comprising three Consultant Chemical Pathologists, a Consultant Clinical Scientist, a senior Clinical Scientist and two STP trainees.
You will participate in the clinical advisory and authorisation rota and will be encouraged to develop an area of specialised knowledge.
In addition, you will contribute to research, development, and audit relevant to the Clinical Biochemistry service. It is an exciting time to join SWLP with the introduction of a new LIMS, new automated equipment and expansion of the specialist chemistry services.
The successful candidate will have opportunities for involvement in a number of network projects related to these service developments.
About us
The role is part of wider networked Pathology services within South West London Pathology, an award winning Pathology partnership between four leading Hospital Trusts - St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust and Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals.
The network is designed to provide an integrated, high quality Pathology service for patients accessing our hospitals and GP services across South West London, by bringing together the best of each Trust's service and providing them within a single organisation.
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute Trust serving South West London and Surrey.
The Trust's two district general hospitals, Epsom General Hospital and St Helier Hospital, both offer an extensive range of acute services including 24-hour A&E. Epsom General Hospital is situated close to the centre of Epsom, whilst St Helier Hospital, which also incorporates Queen Mary's Hospital for Children on site, is situated in Carshalton.
The Trust provides services to local communities including the whole of the London Borough of Sutton and part of the London Borough of Merton; the Surrey Boroughs of Epsom and Ewell, Reigate and Banstead and Elmbridge, plus part of the District Council of Mole Valley.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical:
- To work autonomously as an HCPC Registered Clinical Scientist within both professional and departmental guidelines.
- To have knowledge of clinical conditions and how they may affect biochemical analyses and results.
- To participate regularly in the Duty Biochemist rota, to undertake detailed interpretation, authorisation and reporting of patient results and advising clinical colleagues on the appropriate selection and timing of tests, differential diagnosis, monitoring and guidance on therapeutic drug monitoring. To be the bleep holder for the department during this time and to resolve any problems/queries that may arise both within the laboratory and from other departments, referring to the consultant staff when necessary.
- To use a high level of skills to interpret and communicate the clinical significance of results of scientific investigations to other clinicians and healthcare professionals, including senior medical staff. To instigate additional investigations in his/her speciality that may be appropriate to an individual patient.
*Please refer to the attached detailed job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications and training
Essential
- Honours degree in Biochemistry (or related subject)
- Masters degree in Clinical Biochemistry.
- Registration as a clinical scientist with the Healthcare Professions Council (HCPC)
- Part 1 Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (DipRCPath)
Desirable
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Significant years of post-registration working experience as a clinical scientist in a recognised/NHS clinical biochemistry laboratory during which they should have demonstrated that they can work across a range of clinical areas including Mass Spec/HPLC
- Wide experience of general clinical biochemistry and analytical methods
- Ability to implement policies and propose changes to working practices
- Computer literacy. Ability to use the internet for research, assay finding and other relevant professional activities.
- Knowledge of Health and safety issues relating to the laboratory activity
- Awareness of national, professional and NHS guidelines and their impact on the quality and provision of service
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Good communication skill, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels
- Effective influencing skills; in general and with senior health care professionals
- Teaching and mentoring skills
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Organisational skills; ability to work autonomously and as a team leader
- Time management skills
Other relevant requirements
Essential
- Ability to propose and implement change
- Ability to cope under pressure
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to be proactive, take their own initiative, and work independently and autonomously
- Ability to concentrate for long periods to carry out tests or authorise results with frequent interruptions to give advice, answer queries and solve problems
- Able to effectively prioritise urgent work in order of clinical importance
- Able to work with accuracy and diligence and with attention to detail.
- Flexible
- Required to work in an area of biological risk, frequently exposed to both biological and chemical hazards, contact with body fluids and faecal material
- Required to use VDU for protracted periods and short periods of light effort
- High degree of precision and hand eye co-ordination for use of analytical instrumentation
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 .
Employer details
Employer name
St George's Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address
St Helier Hospital
Wrythe Lane
Carshalton
SM5 1AA