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Job overview
This role is for a Band 8a Healthcare Scientist Specialist within Clinical Biochemistry at Derriford Combined Laboratory, providing expert scientific and clinical support across the Trust, primary care, and external organisations.
The post holder will contribute to the delivery of a high-quality, timely, and cost-effective diagnostic service, including independent interpretation and authorisation of complex laboratory results and provision of specialist clinical advice to healthcare professionals.
The role also supports service development, research, audit, and quality improvement, while contributing to multidisciplinary working, education, and training of staff and students.
The post holder will take clinical responsibility for a defined specialist area, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards and continuous enhancement of patient care.
***Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome. ***
Main duties of the job
The post holder will independently interpret and report routine and specialist biochemical investigations, providing urgent clinical advice and ensuring appropriate follow-up of significant results.
They will lead and contribute to service development, including validation and implementation of new methods, technologies, and evidence-based practices. Responsibilities include maintaining quality assurance systems, ensuring compliance with ISO15189 standards, and investigating analytical or clinical issues.
The role involves delivering education and competency-based training to multidisciplinary staff, participating in research, audit, and publication activities, and supporting clinical governance.
The post holder will also undertake managerial duties such as leading a specialist service area, contributing to operational planning, improving efficiency, preparing business cases, and deputising for senior leadership when required, while maintaining effective communication with clinicians and stakeholders to support integrated patient care.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Healthcare Scientist Specialist will play a key role in delivering a comprehensive Clinical Biochemistry service, ensuring the provision of accurate, timely, and clinically relevant laboratory results to support patient care.
The post holder will independently interpret and authorise complex biochemical investigations, provide highly specialised clinical advice to healthcare professionals, and take responsibility for a defined specialist area within the department.
They will lead on quality assurance, clinical governance, and accreditation standards, including investigation of discrepancies and continuous service improvement.
The role includes involvement in method development, validation of new technologies, and implementation of evidence-based practices.
In addition, the post holder will contribute to research, audit, and innovation, support multidisciplinary team working, and provide education, training, and competency assessment for staff and students.
Managerial responsibilities include contributing to service planning, efficiency improvements,, as well as deputising for senior colleagues when required.
For further information please see attached job description
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
- First or second class Honours degree in a relevant science subject.
- Successful completion of a recognised training programme in clinical biochemistry
- MSc in Clinical Biochemistry (or assessed equivalent proven knowledge)
- Registration as a Clinical Scientist (in the modality of Clinical Biochemistry) with the healthcare professions council (HCPC).
- Part 1 Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) or equivalent qualification.
- Proven evidence of ongoing continuing professional development (CPD).
Desirable
- PhD/DClinSci in Clinical Biochemistry or a related subject
Aptitude and abilities
Essential
- To prepare and present complex scientific and clinical information at local, national or international meetings.
- To recognise patterns of abnormality, relate them to clinical situations to assess differential diagnoses and provide appropriate clinical advice.
- Proven ability to organise and manage complex activities.
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of teaching medical school students
- Demonstrable experience of supervising staff
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Completion of a significant period in post as a registered Clinical Scientist.
- Proven evidence of application of Clinical Governance and Clinical Audit principles in laboratory services and proven knowledge of and guidelines relating to service provision and quality.
- Demonstrable experience of service planning and development.
Desirable
- Proven evidence of achievement in research and development e.g. publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at national/international conferences.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Healthcare Scientist Specialist with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust in Plymouth, South West, England. It is listed as a Health science services role. The advertised salary is £57528.00 to £64750.00. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 13 Aug 2026.
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