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Job summary

Main area
Blood Sciences - Chemistry
Grade
Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
287-LCL-35-25
Employer
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Liverpool Clinical Laboratories
Town
Liverpool
Salary
£53,755 - £60,504 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
24/06/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Principal Clinical Scientist

Band 8a

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an aspiring leader to take their career to the next level.   Applications are invited for an experienced, suitably qualified HCPC registered Principal Clinical Scientists with Part 1 FRCPath and at least 2 years’ experience post HCPC registration.

The successful candidate will be a Principal Clinical Scientist at Band 8A in Biochemistry, ideally with experience in the development of assays utilising liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry and HPLC.  

You will be working across the LCL multi-laboratory sites, deputising for the Consultant Clinical Scientist sites when required. You will be required to work autonomously.

You will drive innovative method development and quality improvement projects in clinical biochemistry and clinical effectiveness. You will have a proven track record of driving quality across Biochemistry and providing a robust clinical service both in and out of hours.

Main duties of the job

The tasks will include, but are not exhaustive:  

Clinical:

·    Provide a clinical advice & interpretative service to Biochemistry across LCL sites both in and out of hours. Biochemistry is clinically lead through Clinical Scientists.

·       Provide clinical support in MDTs. Promote the role of Clinical Scientists in clinics e.g. Lipids, Adrenal, Bone.

·        Scientific skills & knowledge to develop innovative methods & clinical pathways. Be able to trouble shoot complex assays.

·        Provide clinical support in all areas of biochemistry supporting the Consultant Clinical Scientists to provide a clinically effective evidence based clinical service.

·        Academic teaching to MSc level in Clinical Biochemistry, undergraduate medicine degree & teaching of Medics within LUHFT. Key to training of BMS to Specialist Portfolio.  Weekly educational lunchtime meetings for technical & clinical staff across LCL.

·        Support the wider Cheshire & Merseyside Pathology Network, to drive harmonised pathways and support the design and roll out of the new Cheshire & Merseyside LIMS.

·         Key Functions

    • Development of new assays utilising liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry and HPLC for clinical and research applications.
    • Clinical liaison in all areas of biochemistry but be keen to build  expertise in adrenal biochemistry and therapeutic drug monitoring.
    • Clinical input for H&S committee & documentation.
    • Driving Clinical Effectiveness within LCL including Clinical Audit, established review of guidelines and consequent QIA, review & implementation of GIRFT & PQAD.
    • Clinical Scientists in Biochemistry are key to driving quality. Reviewing DATIX, attending Weekly Safety Meeting, managing risks.

Working for our organisation

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.

UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond. 

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women’s Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK’s largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

For roles at Liverpool Women’s, visit their careers page.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be responsible for leading on laboratory projects, method development and clinical effectiveness. You will work effectively with the LCL Senior Managers, Consultant Clinical Scientists and stakeholders alike and represent LCL on both internal and external Trust committees, deputising for the Consultant Clinical Scientist where required. You will be the conduit between the laboratory and the clinical teams across University Hospitals of Liverpool Group.  You will also be expected to be involved within the Cheshire and Merseyside Pathology Network.

You will bring a proven knowledge and expertise in Biochemistry and will engage and inspire staff to deliver services with outcomes that are as efficient as they are effective. You will be dedicated to ensuring that quality and service are key priorities. Having the energy, drive, optimism and determination to meet all of the challenges ahead will be vital.

The successful candidate will have a positive approach to the opportunity and will be able to demonstrate resilience, proven leadership skills and demonstrate key strengths in individual and team communication. If you believe that you have the skills and approach that fits the requirements above, then please contact Andrew Davison.

The post holder will be part of the clinical team in biochemistry in LCL. They will be required to manage their time effectively across both sites and deputise for the Consultant Clinical Scientists at LCL as required.

The post holder will be a key member of the Blood Sciences team.

Please see JD attached

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • First Degree or assessed equivalent of knowledge and expertise.
  • Masters Degree or assessed equivalent of knowledge and expertise in the relevant speciality of pathology.
  • Part 1 Examination for Membership of Royal College of Pathologists (MRCPath/FRCPath).
  • Demonstration of Continuing Professional Development.
  • Registration as a clinical scientist with Health Professions Council.
Desirable criteria
  • Part 2 Examination of Royal College of Pathologists.
  • PhD or an equivalent record of research publications.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • To have completed a demonstrable period in post as a Registered Clinical Scientist.
  • To have developed an expertise in one or more specialised analytical or clinical areas.
  • To have undertaken Research, Development and Audit activities
  • Able to provide leadership to small teams within the department and provide professional leadership on a wider scale.
  • Able to teach students, laboratory and medical staff.
  • Able to prepare and present complex scientific and clinical information at local and national meetings.
  • Able to supervise and lead the activities of staff at lower grades

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • To have a good knowledge of human pathological processes and physiology
  • 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 a good knowledge of a relevant field of laboratory medicine
  • Able to perform clinical risk assessments and resolve issues or investigate complaints relating to the service as part of Clinical Governance.
  • Awareness of current and developing NHS and healthcare issues.
Desirable criteria
  • Able to advise on broad service development and strategic plans.
  • To have sound basic knowledge in other areas of Pathology.
  • To have expert knowledge in a specialised area.

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Well-developed analytical (technical) skills.
  • Well-developed deductive and intuitive abilities.
  • Able to initiate, direct and co-ordinate R & D activities
  • Able to conduct audit of services and take corrective action.
  • Well-developed clinical awareness within and beyond the context of own speciality.
  • Able to advise senior medical staff, nursing staff and other health professionals on investigations and interpretation of pathological processes in complex situations also utilising data from other specialities. *This is independent advice at the same level as provided by Consultants in the department
  • Able to recognise patterns of abnormality and relate them to clinical situations and provide appropriate clinical advice.
  • Able to analyse highly complex information from out with the service as well as within and use to evaluate differential diagnoses.
  • Able to conduct clinical audit and present reports.
  • Able to use and manipulate laboratory computer systems and standard computer software packages.
  • Able to organise and manage complex activities.
  • Good oral and written communication skills.
  • Able to challenge with confidence established scientific and clinical views using reasoned argument, personal knowledge and research findings.
Desirable criteria
  • Able to lead on service development/delivery in a specialised area.

Other

Essential criteria
  • To have a good knowledge of managerial processes within the Trust and NHS.
  • Experience of membership of committees within department.
  • Good awareness of Trust Policies and Procedures and how they relate to the staff and service of the department.
  • Experience of leadership of small groups.
  • Knowledge of quality management and accreditation systems
  • All the above areas of knowledge are normally assessed by successful completion of the Part 1 Examination for Membership of the Royal College of Pathologists.
  • Able to develop professional guidelines within the department and contribute to guidelines and policies Trust wide.
  • Able to maintain intense concentration despite frequent interruptions
  • Ability to work extended hours on weekdays and able to work on weekends as a rostered duty
  • Good hand eye co-ordination for fine manipulation of instrumentation
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of committees at Directorate or Trust level
  • Good knowledge of financial management and procurement

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Fair Employment Charter Status - Aspiring LevelNHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardTrust IDVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleInvestors in PeopleArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident committedStep into health

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
Lisa Bailey
Job title
Clinical Director
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0151 706 4011

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
L9 7AL
Telephone
0151 706 4666
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