Senior Clinical Scientist

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job Overview

The department of clinical biochemistry at southmead hospital operating unit is delighted to present an opportunity to join the clinical team as a senior clinical scientist. This role is a replacement post for a current team member who has sadly left.

This role aims to contribute to the clinical oversight of the toxicology and automated biochemistry sections within the department. The appointee will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team of clinical scientists, biomedical scientists and medical laboratory assistants.

Main duties of the job

As a clinical scientist acting as a registered practitioner within the department of clinical biochemistry:

• To provide scientific input across the sections of toxicology (incorporating clinical and coronial toxicology, cholinesterase, and antenatal screening) and automated biochemistry.
• To participate in the provision of postmortem toxicology interpretation. This involves interpretation of complex analytical data and compilation of toxicology reports under the supervision of the Consultant Clinical Scientist.
• To play an active role in the quality assurance of the assays and services offered within the toxicology and automated biochemistry sections of the department.
• To participate in the general biochemistry clinical validation rota with independent responsibility for final interpretation of general biochemistry results leaving the laboratory and giving clinical advice to a wide range of medical staff.
• To undertake complex laboratory analysis and method development aligned with the opportunities and objectives of the wider department.
• To undertake research and audit aligned with the department’s objectives.
  
  

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. 

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Professional knowledge and expertise

• First or second class honours degree in chemistry, biochemistry or allied subject.
• Post-graduate Masters degree (or assessed equivalent level of knowledge) in the specialty of Clinical Biochemistry.
• State Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Clinical Scientist (Biochemistry).
• To have a detailed understanding of the basic science that underpins the speciality of Clinical Biochemistry and its application to clinical practice.
• The ability to assimilate a wide range of normal and abnormal clinical biochemistry results and advise on interpretation taking into account the clinical presentation of the patient and where necessary the findings from other disciplines (eg: haematology, radiology).
• A detailed understanding of the causes and mechanisms of disease and how biochemical results are affected by disease to allow interpretation of complex test results in the field of biochemistry.
• A detailed understanding of clinical and coronial toxicology to be able to interpret complex analytical data, compile toxicology reports and participate in the clinical advisory service within toxicology.
• The ability to review the scientific literature critically and to incorporate this information into best practice for the benefit of patients.
• Extensive IT experience and knowledge of laboratory computer information systems and common software packages (Word, Excel, Teams, Sharepoint etc).
  
  

Interpersonal And Communication Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, in order to maintain good working relationships and networks with clinical and professional colleagues within and outside the Trust.
• The ability to communicate complex results back to requestors, many of whom do not have specialist knowledge of Clinical Biochemistry. There is often a need to interpret the significance of the results, giving relevant background information and the requirement for further investigations within the clinical context of the patient.
• Good presentation skills, as required for the presentation of scientific concepts and research findings at local, regional or national meetings or in the literature using written and audiovisual aids.
• The ability to teach at undergraduate level in formal and informal settings.
• The ability to teach laboratory colleagues and other medical professionals.
• The ability to prepare written reports for fellow scientists and for grant awarding bodies and research ethics committees.
  
  

Problem-solving and decision-making

• Highly developed problem-solving skills and the ability to apply these to a broad range of circumstances; the post holder will be expected to solve problems that might arise during the routine use of techniques or equipment within the department of Clinical Biochemistry sections the post-holder inputs into.
• Trouble-shooting poor analytical performance across the department of clinical biochemistry, taking into account a wide range of factors, to ensure that analytically valid results are obtained.
• To play an active role in the quality assurance of assays and services offered within the clinical biochemistry areas – this would include review, and where appropriate troubleshooting, of internal quality control (IQC) trends and external quality assurance (EQA) reports. Additionally being able to participate in review of non-conformities that arise in the department.
• Decision to communicate clinically significant results to medical and other healthcare staff.
• Contribute to the development of the service on an ongoing basis by supporting the evaluation and introduction of appropriate new technologies, under the supervision of the Consultant Clinical Scientists.
  
  

Planning and coordination

• The ability to plan and undertake research and publish findings.
• Planning of method verification and validation.
• Ability to plan own workload in conjunction with the Consultant Clinical Scientists.
• Planning as required by services needs e.g. organisation of CPD rotas, laboratory visits.
  
  

Practical And Technical Skills

• The postholder should possess good manual dexterity, hand eye co-ordination and cognitive skills, as applied to the use of specialist scientific equipment, with the ability to perform specialist techniques used within the Specialist Biochemistry section with a high degree of accuracy.
  
  

Patient care and support

• To liaise with other laboratories providing specialist services and Coroners Officers and Pathologists involved in postmortem cases.
• To provide analysis and interpretation of highly complex clinical biochemistry tests and reporting of findings.
• To provide a clinical advisory service on routine biochemistry as a registered practitioner, to hospital and primary care clinicians, nursing staff and other health professionals. This will include guidance in the selection of tests, the interpretation of results and the selection of further tests to aid the diagnosis and treatment of the patient.
• The post holder will be working alongside other Senior, Principal and Consultant Clinical Scientists and can seek advice prior to making any final decisions or providing advice relating to patient care.
  
  

Service development and improvement

• To evaluate new tests and technologies prior to introduction into the laboratory.
• The ability to critically appraise new information, as published in the literature, and apply this to the development of Clinical Biochemistry.
• The ability to scientifically appraise research findings and present the conclusions to a wider audience.
• Any final decisions on service improvement would be made in consultation with senior colleagues including Consultant Clinical Scientists and Blood Sciences Manager.
• To contribute to implementing process changes in own designated work areas.
  
  

Finance and resource management

• Responsible for the safe use of complex laboratory equipment.
  
  

Leadership and team management

• Participate in teaching and training of laboratory staff within Clinical Biochemistry.
• Contribute to provision of CPD opportunities for all levels of staff within Clinical Biochemistry, both technical and clinical.
• Participate in teaching and training of trainee biomedical and clinical scientists employed by the Trust or on placement from external Trusts.
  
  

Information and data management

• Work in accordance with Trust policy on information governance and data handling.
• Use of clinical systems to review patient data to inform interpretation of results and decision making, such as adding on of further tests and communication of results requiring clinical action. This mayinclude, but is not limited to: Winpath, ICE, Connecting Care and antenatal screening software (Viewpoint).
• Addition of appropriate interpretative comments to Biochemistry results on Winpath that may be viewed by primary or secondary care colleagues via ICE and GP systems and in some instances released directly to patients via the NHS App.
• Maintain accurate digital and paper records relating to patient care e.g. discussions with clinical colleagues.
• Use of computer software statistical packages to assimilate data which is then interpreted in the context of verification of biochemical assays and monitoring of assay performance.
  
  

Innovation and continuous improvement

• To initiate and undertake agreed research and development projects under the direction of the heads of sections and head of department as appropriate
• To undertake research and improvement activities as identified through departmental review meetings and departmental objectives.
• Validation and verification of new methodologies within the department.
  
  

Autonomy and decision authority

• The ability to work independently and manage own workload, as guided by departmental objectives and professional guidelines.
• To be personally responsible for maintaining state registration, which is a requirement of employment at this grade.
• The post holder will be expected to use their own initiative and act independently in day to day tasks. They will not be directly supervised but senior colleagues will be available to provide guidance where required. It is the post holders responsibility to recognise their own limitations and seek senior input.
• The post holder is personally responsible for ensuring they abide by all Codes of practice, Safety Regulations, Protocols and Operational Policies of the department and Trust.
• To take all necessary measures to update personal knowledge in the full range of the discipline, by undertaking appropriate Continuous Professional Development (CPD) activities. This will include the reading of medical and scientific journals and attendance and participation in courses, seminars and scientific meetings (local, regional and national) as required.
• Work according to the regulations and codes of practice governing aspects of Health and Safety relevant to the department and within professional guidelines.
  
  

Cognitive demands

• The post-holder is required to concentrate for long periods of time on technically demanding procedures on a daily basis.
• Frequent interruptions to work patterns for the provision of specialist advice and other questions.
• Tasks may include checking documents (e.g. SOPs, guidelines, policies) and analysis of complex data.
• Review and interpret complex clinical, biochemical and imaging information which requires intense concentration for long periods, which can be the whole shift.
• Review of local, regional and national guidelines; standards and research findings
  
  

Emotional resilience

• May be involved in cases that are emotionally distressing due to the circumstances of the patient or as they relate to personal circumstances, particularly for coronial toxicology work
  
  

Person specification

Education And Qualifications

Essential criteria

• First or second class honours degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry or a related subject.
• Masters Degree (or assessed equivalent level of knowledge) in the specialty of Clinical Biochemistry
• Completion of pre- registration clinical scientist training (or within 3 months of doing so)
• State Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health Professions Council (or likely to be achieved within 6 months of completing pre-registration training period)
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Essential criteria

• Able to prepare and present scientific and clinical information at meetings and provide teaching and training for laboratory staff
• Able to use and manipulate laboratory information systems and standard software packages
  
  

Experience

Essential criteria

• To have completed post graduate training approved as appropriate for registration together with supervised in-service experience totalling a minimum of 3 years
• To have undertaken research activities
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Essential criteria

• To have developed analytical (technical) skills in general and specialist clinical biochemistry techniques.
• To have a good knowledge of analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving/troubleshooting across clinical biochemistry areas
  
  

Desirable criteria

• To have developed technical ability in specialist biochemistry techniques such as tandem mass spectrometry.
  
  

Education And Qualifications

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of progression, or motivation to initiate, work towards Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath)
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Essential criteria

• A thorough understanding of the basic science that underpins the speciality of Clinical Biochemistry and its application to clinical practice
• An appreciation of the diagnostic contribution of other pathology disciplines and diagnostic imaging and to view findings in the appropriate clinical context
• Able to advise medical and nursing staff on appropriate investigations and interpretation of biochemical and metabolic processes (where necessary with back up from more senior staff)
• Able to conduct Research and Development activities
• Able to conduct audits of both the laboratory and clinical service
• Able to critically appraise new information published in the literature
• Good oral and written communication skills
  
  

Experience

Essential criteria

• To have undertaken training and gained experience in a range of clinical biochemistry specialties, for example metabolic biochemistry, antenatal or newborn screening, toxicology.
  
  

Personal qualities

Essential criteria

• Able and confident to challenge established views
• Able to maintain self-control in difficult and challenging situations
• Able to maintain intense concentration on important tasks despite frequent interruptions.
• Good interpersonal skills
  
  

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
• Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.
  
  

Important:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.