Principal Clinical Scientist

Are you an established HCPC registered Clinical Scientist in H&I looking for a change?Are you a Band 7 Clinical Scientist ready to take the next step in your career?Or, are you an established Band 8 looking for a new challenge?Do you have a passion for the intricacies HLA antibody testing and Crossmatching for solid organ transplantation?We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Clinical Scientist to join our team of 24 scientists, as the Head of the Serology section in the Clinical Transplantation Laboratory based at Guy's Hospital in Central London. Core duties will include the provision of highly specialised advice and laboratory services related to the care of transplant patients. This will include the interpretation and final verification of laboratory results before release to clinicians, in addition to the provision of clinical advice to our various clinical teams.In addition to running the serology section, the post holder would form part of the senior Scientist Leadership team within the lab, working alongside the Consultant Clinical Scientists, Operations Manager and Head of DNA section.The successful candidate would be expected to hold HCPC Registration as a Clinical Scientist in Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, hold (or be close to completing) RCPath Part 1 in H&I, and have proven in depth experience in serological methodologies and leading a team of scientists.

Main duties of the job Accredited both to ISO 15189 and EFI standards, the Clinical Transplantation Laboratory is one of the busiest laboratories specialising in solid organ transplantation in the UK, supporting over 500 solid organ transplants last year. We provide a comprehensive H&I service for a number of adult and paediatric transplant centres for renal, pancreas, cardiothoracic, islet, liver and multi-visceral transplant programmes. Acting as a referral centre for both national and international cases, we work closely with the Guy's Hospital Renal Transplant team to provide advice on a range of highly complex transplant scenarios, including through an active ABO and HLA antibody incompatible transplant programme.Once fully trained the post holder will be expected to take part in the on-call service providing specialist H&I advice for the various transplant programmes supported by the laboratory. This support would be in the form of remote availability only, supporting junior staff attending site and providing virtual crossmatching assessment for the various clinical teams. No middle of the night dashes to the lab would be needed!For the chosen candidate, Synnovis could also offer a generous relocation package to support a move to London if required.If you have any queries or would like to arrange an informal visit please contact Dr Olivia Shaw () or Corinna Freeman ()

About us The department provides core and urgent working hours. The post holder would be expected to work a 37.5 hour week and participate in the on call service, currently a 1 in 7 commitment.In return you would be joining a friendly, dynamic and committed team of scientists.Your development and learningYou will have a suite of learning opportunities available through the ACCE competencies programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications. Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.The department has benefitted from significant financial sponsorship through this scheme for multiple large scale projects, with support provided for a number of ongoing research areas, including around epitope modelling for improved patient outcomes, the clinical utility of non-HLA antibody testing and, most recently, development of a ddcfDNA testing protocol across the multiple organ groups.Locally we are accredited as a training laboratory for a variety of schemes, and can support higher training for a suitable candidate.

Job responsibilities The post holder will be expected to take responsibility for the day-to-day running of Serology section of the laboratory ensuring the effective delivery of results, the setting and monitoring of quality standards, maintenance of the quality management system, and the efficient management and economical use of the resources to support the provision of the Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Service (H&I). In addition to providing support for the overarching management structure, they will be responsible for management of staff within the section, including, but not limited to, training and development, maintenance of competency, and, appraisal. The post holder will also be expected to plan, direct and carry out research and development work to introduce new and improved methods for both testing and analysis in H&I.Professional/Clinical

To participate at a senior level in all aspects of the work of the Laboratory, including receipt of samples, laboratory testing, interpretation of results, quality management, audit, staff training and supervision. To plan and supervise the work carried out in the Serology section of the Department, ensuring that an efficient, high quality service is maintained at all times. To be responsible for organising and allocating the workload for the BMS and Clinical Scientists, ensuring that adequate back up is always available for the services offered by the Laboratory. To take sole responsibility for, and ensure continuation of, HLA antibody identification, crossmatching and compatibility assessment for donor and recipient pairs. To check the analysis, accuracy, interpretation of results and the information on the database generated by colleagues in the laboratory, meet the national professional guidelines. To ensure that full, clear and accurate records of all work carried out in the section are maintained and kept safely. To validate the results produced by the section and enter on to computer database. To be responsible for timely reporting of the results, as appropriate for the clinical referral. Assist colleagues in the writing of final reports when required. To participate on the on-call rota as necessary. Responsibility will need to be taken for working unsupervised and reporting results out of normal working hours. To respond to written and verbal enquiries from users of the service. Offer advice on the available tests, type of samples required and interpretation of results. To communicate with other tissue typing laboratories when necessary, sharing data and samples when appropriate.

Scientific

To provide a high level and wide range of laboratory skills, scientific knowledge and expertise in H&I. To assist with troubleshooting in the Laboratory. To maintain up to date Standard Operating Procedures for the duties assigned and ensuring that all members of the laboratory follow the standard operating procedures at all times. To undertake audit, organising and monitoring internal and external quality control exercises both as supervisor or participant to improve the accuracy, effectiveness and efficiency of existing molecular tests. To be familiar with the current literature, be aware of recent developments in the field and introduce/supervise/evaluate the introduction of new technical developments and equipment in the relevant area. To participate in both internal and external meetings, seminars and courses as appropriate, and represent the laboratory at local, regional, national and international levels. To ensure the laboratory service is kept up to date with published research and present laboratory findings at appropriate meetings seminars and through publications.Management and Administration

To participate in, and establish policies for, the development of new methodologies and evaluation of new equipment. To assist the Director with the implementation of Laboratory objectives, strategies and policies. To assist the Director with staff recruitment and retention. To assist the Director in managing funding activities for the Laboratory, including data provision to Synnovis and procurement authorisation. To advise with regard to purchase of capital equipment and be responsible for their maintenance contracts, selection of suppliers etc. To obtain and maintain supplies of appropriate reagents, consumables and equipment as required. To assist in the enforcement of Health and Safety issues in accordance with local, Trust and national guidelines, in collaboration with the departmental Safety Officer and Quality manager. To collaborate with the other senior members of staff in allocating and monitoring the workload for staff in the laboratory, to ensure cover and productivity, and that a high quality service is maintained at all times.

Research and Development

To initiate and maintain their own research interests. The post holder will be expected to take an active part in on-going research projects. To promote and carry out research in the HLA area. To promote collaborative studies with other Departments in Synnovis and outside Institutions. To give oral presentations on studies performed within the Serology section. To collate data for use for a variety of audit purposes, including ongoing internal audit, and submission to the UK National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS). To assist in the supervision of research and development projects undertaken by other members of staff.Teaching and Training

To provide training in serological methods for members of the laboratory or other departments and visiting researchers . click apply for full job details