Healthcare Scientist Specialist

Job Summary
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.

About Us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details
Closing date: 13 August 2026
Date posted: 31 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 216-LT-DB8185383
Job locations: Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom

Job 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
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.

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

Additional Information
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer Contact Details
For questions about the job, contact: CD for Pathology Directorate
Lucy Leeman: View email address on meeveem.com
Telephone: View phone number on meeveem.com