Job overview
Full-time hours
Applications are invited for a Band 7 Clinical Scientist in Immunology based at James Cook Hospital.
The successful applicant will have completed or be undertaking a formal post graduate training programme and have obtained or be on track to obtain HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist.
HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists who are eligible to obtain HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist via the equivalence route are also invited to apply.
The laboratory performs all immunology work for Tees Valley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and provides a comprehensive range of immunology assays including
a autoantibody testing for the diagnosis and management of organ-specific diseases, connective tissue diseases and vasculitis (37,000 ANA, 16,000, LKS, 8,000 ANCA and 56,000 TTG requests per year)
·immunoglobulin, paraproteins, complement, and cryoprotein analyses (31,000 Igs and electrophoresis per year)
·total and allergen/component-specific IgE (28,000 per year)
·fungal and avian serum precipitins (4,000 per year)
Clinical liaison and advisory duties would be performed under supervision of an experienced practitioner until the post-holder is registered as a Clinical Scientist with HCPC. The department is committed to training, delivering a programme of tutorials and departmental seminars, and providing mentoring opportunities.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be required to perform a range of highly specialist, advanced clinical and scientific duties covering all areas of Immunology and will be given a considerable degree of autonomy to undertake those duties but with ultimate responsibility of the quality lying with the Consultant Clinical Scientist.
The post-holder will share in the provision of an analytical and Clinical Immunology laboratory service at a level commensurate with their training and experience as agreed by the Consultant Scientist. The post holder is also responsible for training to his/her own and other professions in his/her specialist area of activity.
The post holder is responsible for the clinical interpretation and authorisation of Clinical Immunology diagnostic results, liaising with clinical teams as necessary to advise patient care pathways, result interpretation, repeat testing and additional investigations that may be required.
The post holder is required to contribute to the development and provision of a range of laboratory services. This also includes contributing to the research and development of policies and services as directed, audit, teaching and training of the department.
The post holder is expected to support the department to maintain good performance in external quality assessment, compliance with laboratory accreditation standards and Trust clinical governance.
Please note this post may close at sufficient applicants.
Working for our organisation
Leadership and Improvement Training
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff to the Trust; this training programme has been designed to support our leaders in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the leadership development programme, and the Quality Improvement Programme that the Trust delivers. This programme aims to
Explore leadership within the NHS
Promote Trust Values and Behaviours
Develop your Leadership effectiveness and skills
Practitioner level in quality improvement, equipping you with the skills to champion, lead and complete quality improvement within your role
After you complete this four and a half days of training you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities, we offer further in-house courses dependent upon your role and bitesize programmes and leadership apprenticeships at level 3,5 and 7.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential criteria
1. Highly developed specialist knowledge and understanding of the technical and clinical Immunology
2. In depth knowledge and understanding of all relevant legislation, standards, guidelines and protocols.
3. Ability to work both independently and as a member of the team.
4. Good communication skills with all staff groups.
5. Efficient time management
6. Good report writing and presentational skills
Desirable criteria
7. Teaching and training skills
Qualifications
Essential criteria
8. Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Clinical Scientist (Clinical Immunology) or expected within 6 months
9. Masters degree or PhD in Clinical Immunology.
10. A first- or second-class honours degree in a relevant subject
Desirable criteria
11. Participation in a recognised CPD (Continuing Professional Development) scheme.
Experience
Essential criteria
12. Dealing with and resolving analytical problems in Immunology laboratory
13. Significant experience of two or more of the following areas: flow cytometry, autoimmune serology, allergy, Immunological proteins and Immunodeficiency techniques
14. Aware of scientific developments and modern technology in clinical Immunology and their impact on the future of the service
15. Understands the principles of clinical governance and their application in clinical Immunology
16. Undertaking clinical audit and translating findings into service development
17. Experience of implementing and managing change
18. Ability to write reports, abstracts for scientific meetings and papers for peer-reviewed publications
Desirable criteria
19. Giving formal presentations to large groups lectures, seminars
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is now the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. We welcome applications from the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network; LGBT+ Network; Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions Network, Faith Network, Childless not by Choice Network and the Menopause Support Group.
As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at
Right to Work in the UK
The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Work in the UK - (.
Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.
Please note that not everyone needs a Skilled Worker visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.
We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - ( and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - (
Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
The Trust encourages and supports all applicants to be fully vaccinated against both COVID19 and influenza.
Please be aware, there are occasions where some vacancies may close prior to the closing date advertised. This will only happen where sufficient applications are received AND will be made evident on the job advert.
Please note if you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you via the email address that you have applied from so please ensure you check your emails regularly.
Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.