Healthcare Scientist

Go back The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustHealthcare Scientist - SerologyThe closing date is 07 December 2025The Department of Microbiology and Virology is looking for an experienced and motivated leader to join our Serology team. This key role involves providing senior leadership and operational management, overseeing day-to-day laboratory operations, and ensuring effective collaboration across teams. You will lead and support the serology team through line management responsibilities, deliver advanced scientific and technical supervision including troubleshooting, and drive staff development through training and mentorship. In addition, you will champion research and innovation within your scope of practice to enhance service quality.Interview Date: 18th December 202537 hours 30 minutes/weekYou will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.NO AGENCIES PLEASEMain duties of the jobThe successful applicant will oversee the Serology service, which delivers a wide range of tests for diverse healthcare settings including Trust hospitals, GP surgeries, community diagnostic hubs, private healthcare, and research trials. The role involves managing specialised testing portfolios such as confirmatory work for blood-borne viruses, syphilis, and transplant serology, as well as playing a key role in Infectious Disease in Pregnancy Screening (IDPS).The post holder will ensure quality management, lead operational and strategic planning, and maintain a sustainable service through innovation and the introduction of new equipment and methodologies. They will act as the scientific lead for Serology, providing expert guidance, coordinating clinical links, and responding effectively to unexpected events to maintain service continuity. The role requires the individual to work closely with departmental colleagues, consultant virologists and other service users.About usAs a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:o Freeman Hospitalo Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)o Newcastle Dental Hospitalo Newcastle Fertility Centreo Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbriao Northern Genetics ServiceThese include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustJob responsibilitiesIn collaboration with the Clinical Head of Department, Laboratory Manager andOperational Manager, lead the day to day functions in designated laboratory section to ensure the technical and managerial functions are delivered efficiently and effectively, in order to provide a high-quality scientific service, so meeting service and Trusts objectivesTo provide specialised scientific knowledge and act as scientific and operational lead and provide oversight in performing highly specialised tests within adesignated section and wider laboratory areas as requiredTo devise and coordinate research and development in the field of clinical diagnosticsTo provide advice and interpretation and to perform final scientific authorisation of clinical reports for patients in hospital, community and private sectorIncome generation related to services under direct responsibilityProvide scientific and operational support for other areas of the laboratory as requiredTo act as scientific and operational lead in designated sectionTo plan and deliver services in that sectionTo provide specialised scientific knowledge to directly support treatment pathwaysTo ensure laboratory diagnostic tests are performed and results validated, and judgement used in determining further tests that may be required.To interpret laboratory results and apply these to ensure individual patient needs are met.To ensure the maintenance of automated laboratory equipment is performed and takes prompt and appropriate action to ensure continued running of the section.To manage other sections, when necessary, within the department and deputise for Operational Manager where appropriate.To lead the section Quality Assurance programmes and to report any non-compliant events to the Quality Manager.To give technical and operational advice during and routine working hours as necessary.To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for self, colleagues and visitors.To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to the department Health and Safety TeamPlease refer to the Job Description, Person Specification and Role Descriptor for all essential and desirable criteria required for the role.Person SpecificationQualification & EducationHealth and Care Professions Council registrationIBMS Specialist Portfolio, IBMS Diploma of Specialist Practice, CPSM Logbook or equivalent qualificationMSc, FIBMS or equivalent qualification in relevant science subjectKnowledge & ExperienceExtensive experience and in-depth specialist knowledge of Microbiology or VirologyPrevious experience as a Clinical Scientist or Advanced Biomedical Scientist in diagnostic Microbiology or VirologyKnowledge of relevant legislation and health and safety measuresKnowledge and experience of current UKAS accreditation standardsExperience of conducting appraisalsExperience in Research and DevelopmentSignificant proficiency in use of MS Office Suite, Ideagen Q-Pulse and other IT systemsSkills & AbilitiesExcellent interpersonal and negotiating skillsExcellent written and verbal communication skillsStrong analytical, organisational and planning skillsAbility to work autonomously, with creativity, drive and flexibilityParticipative approach to change management and problem solvingCoaching and/or mentoring skillsDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust #J-18808-Ljbffr