Principal Clinical Scientist

at  North Bristol NHS Trust

Principal Clinical Scientist in Cancer Genomics - AfC Band 8A
An opportunity for a permanent 8A Clinical Scientist post has arisen in the Cancer Genomics service following continued service growth and development.
Bristol Genetics Laboratory (BGL) hosts a fully integrated Cancer Genomic service delivering all Cancer Genomic testing for the South West Genomics Laboratory Hub (SWGLH) . We are seeking a motivated, highly qualified and ambitious individual with experience in Cancer Genomics (Solid tumour or Haematological Cancer), Inherited Cancer or Pharmacogenomics to play a key leadership role within our busy and friendly team.
Please see this short video showcasing Pathology at NBT.
https://youtu.be/cJiNgR-TwUY?si=H6kkwCD5FvSv6UpW
Clinical Scientist Band 8A – key member of operational management team responsible for day to day delivery of a Cancer section and other services as appropriate. Successful applicants must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a clinical scientist and have an upper second or first class honours degree and/or higher degree in a relevant scientific subject. Possession of FRCPath Part One is highly desirable (candidates actively working towards Part One are encouraged to apply). Good communication, team working and supervisory skills are also essential.
The post-holder will be responsible for leading a team of scientists delivering Solid Tumour, Hameatological Cancer, Inherited Cancer and Pharmacogenomic work within the Cancer team. Considerable experience of the analysis, interpretation and authorisation of clinical reports using NGS, WGS and molecular single-gene techniques and cytogenetic methods is highly desirable.
The successful candidate will be expected to work 37½ hours per week full-time over 7 days a week, including participation in regular weekend and out of hours working.
Applications from part-time applicants will also be considered.
With a scientific and technical staff of nearly 200, BGL is housed in new state of the art Pathology laboratories in North Bristol NHS Trust and is the designated lead laboratory and sole Cancer Genomic provider for the South West Genomics Laboratory Hub (SWGLH).
BGL is a fully integrated genomics laboratory providing comprehensive Rare Inherited Disease and Cancer Genomic testing to the South West with extensive specialist services attracting a large number of national and international referrals. BGL has a significant R&D programme and also benefits from co-location with the University of Bristol Learning and Research Centre in the Trust Science Quarter.
BGL is fully committed to the provision of high quality training at all levels, as an accredited training centre.

Leadership and Management

• To take responsibility for the running of a section or sub-section of the laboratory
• To develop and improve existing services by continual review of quality, productivity and efficiency
• To actively participate in business and operational planning of the service within the framework of directorate and departmental objectives, including service redesign.
• To ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all results leaving the section.
• To co-ordinate the workload of the section and collaborate with other heads of sections to ensure that the workload of the laboratory is efficiently and fairly allocated. This includes monitoring the workload of staff in the section and responding to events to ensure that a high quality service is maintained within professional guidelines.
• Working with others, to establish team objectives and review workloads, throughput, work rate, staff absence, training and development.
• To participate in the recruitment and selection of staff
• To undertake other appropriate duties as delegated by the Head of Department.

Clinical

• To provide a high level of personal scientific skill and expertise in the processing and interpretation of the full range of routine and specialised investigations and procedures relevant to the section
• To discuss highly complex results of tests and issue appropriate clinical advice to referring clinicians
• To prepare, authorise and issue appropriate clinical reports including those of a highly complex nature.
• To provide a high level of expertise in the processing of patient samples and the specialist interpretation of complex test results
• To ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all patient results.
• To manage the quality and efficiency of the scientific and technical work of the staff of the section to ensure that appropriate procedures for receipt, processing, analysis and interpretation and reporting of findings are employed.
• To maintain continued professional development to an adequate level.
• To attend multidisciplinary meetings with clinicians and pathologists to discuss clinical issues.

Clinical Governance

• To provide a clinical service within the designated section ensuring that the service meets established high quality demands for safety and patient care.
• To ensure achievement of and adherence to the standards required of a UKAS ISO 15189 (2012) accredited laboratory under the direction of the Head of Department.
• To actively participate in the preparation of the department for UKAS accreditation. This will include setting and delivery of objectives in conjunction with the Head of Department and the quality lead.
• To participate in the organisation and monitoring of internal and external quality control procedures. This includes clinical audit, incident investigation and reporting, and participation in the relevant UKNEQAS, EQMN and EuroMRD schemes, discussing and taking action upon outcomes in conjunction with other staff and reporting to the Head of Department.
• To ensure a functioning risk management and risk reporting strategy within the section which includes health and safety, quality management, training, recruitment, internal quality control, patient and laboratory records, reporting to the Head of Department.

Education And Training

• To contribute to teaching or training of other health care professionals and students.
• To liaise with others as appropriate in the organisation, delivery and supervision of teaching and training of the scientific and technical staff of the section and laboratory.
• To ensure the organisation and delivery of induction and training programmes for staff new to the section.
• To participate in and undertake staff appraisal and performance reviews of staff within the section
• To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through participation in the RCPath CPD scheme, maintaining a portfolio that reflects personal development and ensures scientific and managerial knowledge is updated in order to improve the service for its users
• To evaluate, advise and disseminate information and education resources as appropriate.

Research and Development

• Making recommendations on clinical protocols, local policy and implementation of these
• Evaluation of published developments and innovations.
• undertake development including the evaluation and introduction of new technologies and/or new ways of working relevant to the section; contributes to academic research.
• Supervise staff undertaking R&D activities

Policy

• Assist and contribute to the formulation of policies, protocols, standard operating procedures and codes of practice for the service
• To maintain awareness of, and disseminate to others, Trust and departmental Health & Safety policies and procedures.
• To manage internal grievance and disciplinary incidents/situations in accordance with the Trust policy and procedures
• To ensure that all local and national policies, codes of practice, and statutory regulations pertaining to the section are implemented, advising and assisting senior management as required.

Other

• The post holder will provide Clinical Scientist out of hours support as deemed necessary
• This job description will be reviewed as part of staff appraisal
• The post holder may be required to assume responsibility for other laboratory sections or areas of service within area of expertise as required during the absence of senior staff as directed by the Head of Department
• This job description is an outline of the current position and may be amended in detail or emphasis in light of future requirements for the service. All amendments and changes to the job description will be agreed with the post holder.

Please refer the Job description for details