Principal Clinical Scientist

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Applications are welcome from enthusiastic clinical scientists to apply for the position of head of the Metabolic section in Chemical Pathology at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Experience in the field of biochemical genetics is necessary, particularly in core metabolic investigations related to the investigation of organic acid, amino acid, fatty acid oxidation and peroxisomal, and intermediary metabolism. The successful candidate will work alongside the laboratory manager in the section and provide clinical leadership and expert knowledge in the field. The successful candidate will also work within a close and friendly team of other clinical scientists, deputise for the clinical lead in his/her absence, and participate in duty scientist, reporting and out-of-hours rotas.

The Chemical Pathology laboratories at Great Ormond Street Hospital process results for a variety of patients and this makes it an interesting and stimulating environment in which to work. It houses newborn screening and nationally commissioned services for lysosomal and glycogen storage diseases. There will be opportunity to initiate and engage in development projects that help shape the future of laboratory services and we hope that prospective candidates see this as an exciting opportunity for their own personal development in addition to being a member of a friendly and knowledgeable team.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will provide clinical leadership to the metabolic section of the laboratory. This will encompass review and progression of existing methodologies used within the section where appropriate, engagement with key users of the service, training and education within the department, and participation in rotas covering reporting, duty scientist and out-of-hours advice services. The position requires advanced knowledge in biochemical genetics and there are several key skills necessary to working in this field. These include the ability to scrutinise complex results and mechanisms of service delivery, to question established dogmas, and to engage and stimulate discussion to promote shared learning and group development.

About us

GOSH is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role; through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination.

We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability status or length of time spent unemployed.

We particularly welcome applications from BAME communities, people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions and LGBT+ community members.

We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and consistently. We are proud to be accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, a member of Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

We have active and Executive supported BAME, LGBT+ and Allies, Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions and Women's staff networks. Staff networks are employee-led groups formed around interests, issues and a common bond or background. Staff network members create a positive and inclusive work environment at Great Ormond Street Hospital by actively contributing to the Trust's mission, values and efforts specific to inclusion. All of our staff networks are open to any employee.

Job responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.

Person Specification GOSH Culture and Values

• Our Always values
• Knowledge and understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives
• Understanding of Diversity and Inclusion challenges in the workplace
• Demonstrable contribution to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
• BSc(Hons) in Biochemistry or related discipline (1st or 2nd class)
• MSc in Clinical Biochemistry or equivalent skills and experience
• Actively working towards FRCPath or equivalent experience
• HCPC Clinical Scientist Registration: training/assessment completed in a Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory
• Evidence of CPD (meeting minimum requirement of RCPath)

Experience/Knowledge

• Experience of effectively managing a specialist area/section of a laboratory
• Experience of effectively managing staff
• Experience of conducting research and presenting findings
• Experience of Quality assurance/management including ISO15189 accreditation standards and assessments
• Experience of teaching and training students/trainees/junior staff
• Advanced specialist knowledge of analytical techniques used in Laboratory Medicine
• Advanced specialist knowledge of Metabolic Disorders
• Advanced specialist knowledge of Clinical Biochemistry
• Knowledge of clinical medicine and paediatrics
• Thorough working knowledge of NHS Pathology laboratories
• Knowledge of Quality assurance/management including ISO 15189 standards
• Knowledge of Health and safety legislation
• Knowledge of management techniques

Skills/Abilities

• Leadership - ability to encourage and motivate staff
• Able to communicate effectively with service users, scientists, and other staff (written and verbal) including the ability to present/discuss complex scientific facts/ concepts/ideas and results
• Ability to interpret complex highly specialist laboratory results and provide diagnostic opinions
• Ability to organise and manage own workload and meet deadlines
• Ability to critically review analytical methods and clinical results and discuss findings with medical colleagues and other scientists
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Excellent scientific and analytical skills in Laboratory Medicine
• Ability to work without supervision
• Ability to plan, organise, write up and present research work

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.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

£70,387 to £80,465 a yearper annum inclusive

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

271-MTT-

Job locations

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust