Principal Clinical Scientist

Job overview

This is a rare and exciting career opportunity for a dynamic individual to develop their leadership skills and, through collaboration with the senior SMT, contribute to the overall management and direction of the Department. In addition, you will contribute to the C&S GLH and NHSE GMS development and seek professional roles as appropriate.

You will have excellent clinical and scientific knowledge in the genomics of Inherited Rare Disease with several years' experience of writing reports for complex and unusual cases. You will have the ability to innovate and present ideas for further development of the service in keeping with national & local priorities. You will also have good communication and leadership skills to enable you to manage people and situations in the team. You will provide excellent clinical advice to a range of health professionals and be able to develop networks and collaborations with other health professionals and to present work at scientific meetings. HCPC registration in Genetics and possession of FRCPath Part 1 are essential (applicants actively preparing for FRCPath Part 1 will be considered).

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

• To provide complex clinical/scientific reports, advice, opinions, judgements for a range of highly specialised genetic investigations and services to local, national and international service users
• To lead a team of clinical scientists and technologists and be responsible for the clinical and scientific work, including quality, and managerial aspects of the work and the staff within the team(s)
• To exercise considerable autonomy for his /her own work and that of the section/team and to employ all the competences of a State Registered Clinical Scientist
• To contribute to the management of the department through active involvement in departmental committees and working groups and through experienced gained in the wider context of participation in national and professional working groups

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• To manage a team(s) of healthcare scientists with line management responsibilities for appraisal, recruitment and selection, performance management, disciplinary and conduct processes, sickness absence management, career development and pastoral care within the overall direction of the Director of the Genetics Laboratories and supervision of Consultant and Senior Principal Scientists
• Contribute to the development of policies and practices within the department by participating in departmental committees or working groups
• To develop and improve existing service portfolio by continual review of quality, productivity and efficiency
• To propose and evaluate potential new services relevant to the section and department

Clinical /Scientific

• To be clinically and professionally responsible for a section(s) subject to the overall direction of the Director of the Genetics Laboratories, or other Consultant Scientists
• To be responsible for the analysis of scientific results and their implications by collating complex scientific evidence from database searches, literature searches and collaboration with scientific and clinical colleagues and ensuring the results, including risk calculations where appropriate, and clinical and scientific interpretation are accurate
• Undertake clinical validation and authorisation of a range of reports and take responsibility for the accuracy, interpretation and timely reporting of genetic test results, and direct staff to undertake further investigations to solve complex diagnostic cases as appropriate
• To interpret and report highly complex and specialist scientific tests, within the limits of knowledge and experience, and provide expert advice to clinicians, and other healthcare professionals on the interpretation, diagnostic and prognostic implications, the significance for treatment and recommendation of further testing of patients or family.
• Supply the highest level of scientific skill and expertise in the investigative procedures, directing or undertaking problem solving / trouble-shooting, as required and validation of the scientific basis for the introduction/ implementation of new tests
• To provide authoritative clinical and scientific advice, opinion and judgements within own area of clinical specialism to clinical health professional users of the service
• 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 participate in multidisciplinary meetings with clinicians and pathologists to discuss cases and contribute to management of outcomes

Please see job description and person specification attached for details

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.