Job overview
Are you a highly motivated clinical scientist seeking career advancement? Do you excel in collaborative settings and possess a genuine passion for delivering outstanding patient care? Do you want to improve your clinical, professional, leadership, and governance skills?
An exciting opportunity has arisen to Head our Clinical Biochemistry Department and join our dedicated team at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals. In this role, you will work alongside other clinical scientists and management team. We are seeking a clinical scientist with a solid background in hospital biochemistry. You should bring clinical expertise, strong communication abilities, and the confidence to influence and lead others. We value candidates who are enthusiastic about continuous improvement and keen to help further develop the clinical biochemistry services within Pathology.
At Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, we foster a supportive and energetic atmosphere, encouraging our staff to thrive. This position presents opportunities to advance in clinical practice, leadership development, and operational management. You will be joining a forward-thinking Biochemistry department that champions innovation, professional growth, and teamwork. If you are ready to embrace a challenging yet highly rewarding role, we invite you to apply.
Main duties of the job
1. To be the clinical and managerial Site Lead for Clinical Biochemistry at Blackpool Teaching Hospital.
· To be responsible for the delivery of a high quality, comprehensive and cost-effective Clinical Biochemistry service which meets the needs of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Health Economy.
· To be responsible that the Clinical Biochemistry service complies with regulatory agencies and UKAS Accreditation standards of ISO 15189:2022. Ensure an effective Governance framework is maintained and participate in regular audits.
· To be responsible for the provision of a clinical and scientific consultative support service to the health service professionals serviced by the Pathology Directorate.
· Contribute to the research, innovation and service portfolio of the LSCPS network.
· Provide educational support for medical and scientific trainees including acting as a supervisor for STP and HSST programs.
Working for our organisation
The Biochemistry Department at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals is a large and well-established team of over 50 staff, offering a supportive and welcoming working environment with experienced senior leadership. The department is committed to professional development and actively encourages and supports continuing education and career progression.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is conveniently located within a 45-minute drive of Manchester. The Trust delivers healthcare services to a population of approximately 440,000 across Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre, and North Lancashire, and also provides specialist tertiary services in Cardiology, Haematology, and Cystic Fibrosis care.
As one of the United Kingdom’s largest coastal resort towns, Blackpool offers an excellent balance of professional opportunity and quality of life. It is not only an attractive place to work but also a vibrant place to live. The town features a lively centre and a historic seafront, along with a range of well-known attractions, including the iconic Blackpool Tower.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
2. · To have overall responsibility for the Clinical Biochemistry service.
· To ensure the quality and evaluate performance of all aspects of the Clinical Biochemistry service in relation to objectives.
· To maintain full UKAS Accreditation status.
· To develop business cases and apply for funding with the Directorate Manager and Clinical Director as appropriate for the requirements of the service.
· To oversee the budget in Clinical Biochemistry, ensuring a cost effective and responsive service is delivered within the available resources by controlling expenditure and managing demand.
· To establish, implement and maintain processes for identifying risks of harm to patients and opportunities for improved patient care.
· To develop actions to address both risks and opportunities for improvement and monitor ongoing effectiveness.
· To ensure the welfare of staff and provide professional and exemplar leadership. To resolve organisational and staffing issues in relation to the delivery of the service.
· To chair the management meetings (Biochemistry Management Team, Biochemistry Seniors and Service Reviews of the Department.
· The post holder is eligible for appointment as Clinical Director of Pathology.
Person specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential criteria
3. FRCPath or equivalent qualification in Clinical Biochemistry.
4. HCPC registered
Desirable criteria
5. Higher degree e.g. PhD.
6. Recognised teaching skills course / medical education qualification.
Experience and Knowledge
Essential criteria
7. Significant experience in the organisation and delivery of a clinical biochemistry service.
8. Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in biochemistry
9. Experience of delivering training programs & presentations to various levels of staff.
10. Evidence of clinical audit and the implementation of change following the audit
11. Experience of working across boundaries to develop networks with key stakeholders
12. Positive mindset in respect of supporting organisational change; learning, and continuous improvement.
13. Effective interpersonal and intrapersonal skills including high degree of self-awareness and self-regulation
14. Takes responsibility and is accountable for delivering to their agreed objectives
15. Consistently professional, collaborative and compassionate in their approach.
16. Acts to support and enable effective teamwork
17. Delivers work of consistent and predictable high quality
18. Demonstrates the leadership behaviours for improvements
19. Excellent IT skills
Desirable criteria
20. Publications in relevant peer-reviewed journals in the last five years.
21. Evidence of having undertaken original research.
22. Evidence of specialist interest in other clinical areas
23. Ability to travel and work across multiple sites
Project Management
Essential criteria
24. Evidence of project management
Communication
Essential criteria
25. Strong analytical and communication skill