Consultant Clinical Scientist Trainee (Virology)

at  NHS Blood and Transplant

JOB SUMMARY

In this post, you will be part of the national microbiology services clinical team working to ensure virological safety of blood, tissue, stem cell and organ donations. The microbiology services clinical team is a multidisciplinary team comprising doctors, nurses, scientists including epidemiologists and administrative support who work closely with the microbiology laboratory within NHSBT. There is a close working relationship with colleagues at the UK Health Security Agency and the Blood Transfusion Research Unit (BTRU) in Genomics to Enhance Microbiology Screening (GEMS).
We will support you to complete FRCPath Part 1 and 2 exams during your training and provide opportunities to acquire the clinical skills and experience required by the HSST programme.
The appointed trainee will be directly accountable to the Consultant Medical Virologist and Principal Investigator. These are visionary programmes and are aimed at producing tomorrow’s consultant scientists, capable of meeting the scientific needs of the healthcare system. For more information about the HSST, visit the National School of Healthcare Science. And for more information about eligibility, please visit https://nshcs.hee.nhs.uk/programmes/hsst/applicants/entry-requirements-for-the-hsst/.

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

• Demonstrate ongoing proficiency in the performance of routine and complex techniques and the ability to develop, validate and implement new techniques.
• Demonstrable ability to identify and investigate problems associated with scientific equipment and plan corrective actions with stakeholders.
• Demonstrable knowledge chosen specialism in providing patient centred healthcare including current and potential challenges, and the strategic direction of the specialism.
• Demonstrable experience of analysing complex data such as laboratory or clinical data, and of skilful reporting to multi-disciplinary stakeholders.
• Demonstrable project management skills, service development, budgets, change management and of staff managing.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of quality assurance to accreditation standards.
• Experience of working with information technology using MS Office suite and other clinical databases.

QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

• Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical or Clinical Scientist in a relevant specialty such as Virology or Microbiology (which must be maintained).
• Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD).
  Please view the attached recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification for the full personal attributes we require for the role. You will need to demonstrate these throughout the recruitment process.

ABOUT US

At NHS Blood and Transplant, we’re incredibly proud of the many talented people who come together every day to make our organisation the very best it can be. We have clearly defined values that are centred around offering exceptional care to our donors and their families. We take care of each other too and we focus on building our expertise so we can change lives, provide quality support and offer fulfilling careers.
It’s an opportunity to contribute to a unique team as part of a service that saves lives 365 days a year. We offer brilliant benefits including 27 days of holiday (plus bank holidays), a comprehensive induction and training programme, and competitive pension scheme.
We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with and positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality.
Together we’ll save and improve more lives than ever
This vacancy will close at 23:59 on Sunday 19th May 2024.
Interviews are anticipated to be held around 30th May 2024 subject to confirmation.
For informal enquiries please contact Dr. Heli Harvala, Consultant Clinical Microbiologist at heli.harvala@nhsbt.nhs.uk

In this role you will train to become a Consultant Clinical Scientist Virology by undertaking and successfully completing the Higher Specialist Scientific Training (HSST) programme.

• Developing knowledge, skills, and competencies to support the provision of advice on the management of individual patients based on the results of laboratory tests using the highly specialised theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and initiative expected of a Consultant Grade practitioner and Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists.
• Developing knowledge, skills, and competencies to support the provision of highly specialist scientific service and advice in Virology science.
• Participating in the interpretation and validation of test results of the department to achieve independent practitioner status.
• Ensuring that investigations or actions for scientific testing are identified, and anomalies or complex/urgent problems are resolved to standards.
• Resolving complex and urgent problems within the laboratory and assist in resolving complicated problems involving other departments and service users.
• Preparing and presenting regular reports on the progress of training and any associated research project as required, verbally, in writing and via presentations.
• Preparing scientific research papers for publication.

You will be required to travel and spend time away from base, which will involve working irregular hours and overnight stays when required, with prior notice