Principal Clinical Scientist (Band 8a) - #1675190

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Job Overview

Principal Clinical Scientist in Rare Disease Genomics - AfC Band 8A

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the South West Genomics Laboratory Hub at Bristol for a Principal Clinical Scientist in the Rare Disease team, following retirement. We are seeking a motivated, highly qualified and ambitious individual 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

Main duties of the job

Clinical Scientist Band 8A –

The postholder will be a key member of the scientific management team responsible for operational and strategic direction of Rare Disease, managing and accountable for a single main area of service (sub-section) and staff, deputising for the 8B section lead where appropriate. They will also provide experienced clinical advice, training and quality input to their area of expertise. The post holder will also lead on specific development projects.

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.

Extensive experience of the scientific and interpretative aspects of the genomic diagnosis of rare disease, inclusive of cytogenetic techniques, is highly desirable. The successful candidate is expected to play a key role in the development of postnatal and developmental delay genomics, inclusive of microarray testing and the transition of relevant patient pathways to whole genome sequencing.

Working for our organisation

With a scientific and technical staff of over 100, Bristol Genetics Laboratory (BGL) is housed in new state of the art Pathology laboratories in North Bristol NHS Trust.

As part of the South West Genomic Laboratory Hub (SW GLH) within the broader NHSE Genomic Medicine Service, BGL provides provision of national and local Rare Disease diagnostic genetic testing in close partnership with the Exeter Genomics Laboratory, based at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. 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.

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead.

We commit to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our services.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Please refer to attached Job Description for further details.

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.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• BSc (1st/2nd)
• HCPC Registered CS
• CPD
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Other management qualification/formal Trust course
• Other courses relevant to clinical practice e.g. FRCPath preparation course
• FRCPath Part One
• FRCPath Part Two
  
  

Clinical Experience

Essential criteria

• Evidence of up-to-date experience & knowledge of complex genetic investigations
• Evidence of report authorisation experience
• Experience of formal training e.g. STP DOPs/CBD, delivering seminars, managing training programmes
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Research and development experience
  
  

Management/Leadership Experience

Essential criteria

• Personal leadership of a section or laboratory disease service
• Experience of quality aspects ISO15189 & H&S requirements
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge and participation in national policies and initiatives relating to NHS Genomics
• Verbal communication skills e.g. presentations, chairing meetings
• Line management experience incl. interpersonal experience, motivation of team, sickness and performance management etc
  
  

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.

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North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.

At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT’s workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.