Job summary
- Main area
- Pathology Point of Care
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- 6 months (Fixed term end date: 31/03/2026)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.3 hours per week
- Job ref
- 151-SL0469-A
- Employer
- Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Firmley Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Town
- Camberley
- Salary
- £48,270 - £54,931 per annum inc HCAS
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 29/06/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Senior Clinical Scientist: POCT Rapid Respiratory Service
Band 7
Job overview
We are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic HCPC-registered Clinical Scientist to join our award-winning team at Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) within the innovative Samba Rapid Respiratory Service (SRRS). This role is ideal for candidates who have completed or are nearing completion of a relevant STP programme.
BSPS is a collaborative network of NHS laboratories serving five acute NHS Trusts across Berkshire and Surrey. The Point of Care Testing (POCT) team, led by a Consultant Clinical Scientist, is a multi-disciplinary group of Biomedical Scientists, associate practitioners, and support staff, known for its supportive and flexible team ethos.
Our SRRS is a pioneering POCT respiratory virus testing service, delivering rapid diagnostics across acute, community, and private settings. The team is actively involved in national research and validation studies, and works closely with NHS England and manufacturers on device evaluation and early adoption.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking service at the forefront of POCT innovation, with excellent prospects for professional development and involvement in impactful clinical research.
Main duties of the job
This post supports the delivery of rapid respiratory PCR testing via ‘hot labs’ located near Emergency Departments across our six acute hospital sites, enabling timely triage and improved ED flow. The role also supports community-based and elective hospital testing to enhance resource use and patient experience.
The post holder will work closely with the Principal Clinical Scientist and Consultant Clinical Scientist Lead, engaging with clinical teams across our partner Trusts and liaising with colleagues in BSPS Virology to ensure consistent and effective service delivery.
Responsibilities include contributing to the operational delivery of the Samba Rapid Respiratory Service (SRRS), ensuring quality, safety, and efficiency in testing workflows. The role also involves supporting training, participating in research and validation projects, and helping implement new technologies.
We welcome candidates from all pathology disciplines relevant to POCT. While prior experience in POCT or respiratory testing is beneficial, it is not essential—full training will be provided. The successful candidate will be supported in connecting with BSPS specialties, including Molecular, Microbiology, Virology, and Blood Sciences, to further develop professionally.
Working for our organisation
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.
Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.
We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a full list of responsibilities and tasks associated with this role, please refer to the job description/person specification attached to this vacancy.
For an informal discussion or to arrange a visit please contact Fiona Riddoch, Clinical Scientist on [email protected] (07384 878 553) or Katy Heaney, Consultant Specialty Lead, [email protected] (07557 865 291).
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- BSc degree or equivalent qualification in relevant subject to candidate’s speciality
- Completion (or expected to complete within 5 months) the NSHCS Scientific Training Programme for Clinical Scientists, including Masters in relevant specialist subject.
- Health Care Professions Council State Registration as a Clinical Scientist (or expected to complete registration within 6 months)
- • Evidence of CPD
Desirable criteria
- Relevant PhD
- Part 1 FRCPath
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
- A thorough clinical and technical knowledge of testing in chosen specialist discipline
- Well-developed analytical laboratory skills. Able to perform precise manipulation and control of equipment and devices
- Able to recognise abnormalities and relate them to clinical situations and assess differential diagnoses
- Able to use laboratory computer systems and standard software packages to a high level of competency
- The ability to evaluate critically new methods of analysis
- Autonomy: Ability to work without supervision to tight and often changing timescales
Desirable criteria
- Previous knowledge of and exposure to rapid and POCT testing
- Good leadership skills
Special Requirements
Essential criteria
- Must be able to travel independently to all BSPS sites as required
Experience
Essential criteria
- Previous experience of laboratory/point of care testing environments
- Experience of ISO requirements for laboratory
Desirable criteria
- Experience of ISO requirements for POCT
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Fiona Riddoch
- Job title
- Clinical Scientist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07384 878553
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