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Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time Band 7 Senior Clinical Scientist to join the Clinical Biochemistry team at North Midlands and Cheshire Pathology Services (NMCPS). We are looking for someone with a passion for laboratory medicine and an ability to contribute to a progressive and highly patient-focused laboratory service for the healthcare providers and patients we serve.

The NMCPS Network is based at 4 hospital sites across Staffordshire and Cheshire. The hospitals are located in Crewe, Macclesfield, Stoke- on-Trent and Stafford. The post holder will be required to work on the Duty Biochemist rota at the Royal Stoke University Hospital and will be expected to work at all sites within the network, as required. Although a primary base, that enables a healthy work/life balance, can be discussed on appointment.

For appointment at AfC Band 7 applicants must be HCPC registered. Candidates who are not HCPC registered, but expect to be within a year of appointment will be considered. Initial appointment would be at AfC Band 6, with uplift to Band 7 on attainment of registration. Applications from final year STP trainees are encouraged. Support will be given for working towards FRCPath examinations.

Informal enquiries can be made to Kia Langford-Smith, Principal Clinical Scientist (Tel: 01782 674255 / 01270 273885) or Sarah Robinson, Consultant Clinical Scientist & Clinical Lead (Tel: 01270 612376).

Main duties of the job

Working alongside an established and friendly team of ten Clinical Scientists and two Consultant Chemical Pathologists the successful candidate will contribute to all areas of service provision to ensure a high quality analytical and interpretive service.

The post holder will participate in the Duty Biochemist rota, report protein electrophoresis, oversee EQA report review for a section of the service, undertake audit and service improvement projects, and contribute to the departmental training and education programme. The Department has a strong track record in applied clinical research and innovation and there will be opportunities for involvement in current and new research/quality improvement projects. We would encourage staff to develop specialist areas of interest, initiate their own projects and translate ideas into practice.

We have recently implemented a new LIMS and are currently procuring new automated equipment. There will be opportunity to contribute to these key projects that will ensure continued development of the Network.

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

NMCPS was formed in December 2020 as part of the NHSI Pathology Network programme, and provides services to primary and secondary care across East Cheshire and Staffordshire, serving a population of approximately 1.2 million. University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is the host organisation, with laboratories located at Royal Stoke University Hospital (Stoke-on-Trent), County Hospital (Stafford), Leighton Hospital (Crewe), and Macclesfield District General Hospital (Macclesfield). All sites have UKAS accreditation.

The Clinical Biochemistry Department provides a comprehensive diagnostic service comprising over 10 million investigations each year spread over around 200 separate analytical tests. The department is well equipped with Siemens Atellica and Beckman automated equipment, and has expertise in mass spectrometry, molecular genetics and protein electrophoresis. The Department is recognised for STP and HSST Clinical Scientist training and is also actively involved with the Keele University Medical School (teaching and research) and Manchester University (teaching).