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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

 Clinical

To provide clinical guidance and scientific advice and assistance to all grades of medical and nursing staff on the selection, performance and interpretation of clinically relevant tests in order to facilitate the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and understanding of disease in children.

·         To clinically authorise results generated by the Clinical Biochemistry team, assess the quality of data, and add interpretative comments suggest further investigations and ensure prompt communication of urgent results where appropriate.

        To ensure maintenance of and participate in the departmental duty biochemist/clinical liaison rota.  To resolve highly complex clinical problems as they arise.

·         To ensure that a Biochemistry clinical advice out-of-hours rota is maintained.

·         To ensure that validated reference ranges and protocols for paediatric Clinical Biochemistry investigations are available at a standard as outlined within UKAS ISO15189.

·         To attend and participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, giving advice on selection, availability and interpretation of biochemical tests.  Additionally offering advice to patients on why test are performed and what the results mean where necessary.

·         To ensure timely referral of patients with abnormal Newborn Screening results to the appropriate clinical teams.

·         To liaise with clinicians and nursing staff on the performance of complex dynamic function tests, offering support where necessary.

·         To undertake clinical audits of service effectiveness and instigate appropriate changes to service.  Additionally, contribute to audit in other medical specialties and organisations outside of the Trust, nationally and locally.

·         To be responsible for performance monitoring of the analyses undertaken within the laboratory, liaising with external quality assessment groups.

 Management

·         To be responsible for the provision of the Clinical Biochemistry Service to nationally agreed standards e.g. UKAS ISO15189 or equivalent.

·        To be responsible for the development and implementation of policies for the Clinical Biochemistry department, including Newborn Screening and Point of Care Testing.

        To be responsible for service planning for Clinical Biochemistry, Newborn Screening and Point of Care Testing, analysing, interpreting and comparing different options.

·       To ensure communication and dissemination of information within the department including organising and chairing regular staff meetings

·         To be responsible for the security and maintenance of the Clinical Biochemistry laboratory.

·         To participate, as a member of the Pathology senior management team, in strategic management and planning for the laboratory.

·        To develop and maintain links with appropriate commercial sectors to assist with the development and evaluation of new technologies to ensure that the Trust and its patients gain maximum benefit. 

· Scientific 

 To maintain up to date specialist expertise and knowledge of scientific developments and practice relevant to routine and specialist paediatric Clinical Biochemistry, Newborn Screening and other relevant subjects.  To ensure that such knowledge is systematically passed on to all laboratory staff, where appropriate.

·         To maintain specialist expertise in paediatric Clinical Biochemistry assays using complex automated equipment and specialised manual techniques

·         To be responsible for troubleshooting assays, having expert knowledge with respect to the limitations of methodologies and resolving equipment problems in the clinical biochemistry laboratory and in clinical areas undertaking point of care testing.

·         To undertake highly specialised laboratory analyses.

·         To critically evaluate analytical methods and equipment to maintain the highest standards

·         To ensure the department has a system for handling hazardous chemicals and reagents, and that there is compliance with COSHH regulations

Skills

·         To carry out analytical techniques requiring a high level of skill and manual dexterity.

·         To be responsible for the safe use of complex and expensive instrumentation in accordance with the health and safety guidelines.

·         Use of laboratory and hospital computer systems to identify patients, clinically validate results, resolve and correct errors, compile information for audits and research projects

·         To have responsibility for the Quality Management System used within the department for accreditation

Education and experience

·         Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) 

·         Registration with the Health Care Professions Council.

·         To maintain expert knowledge in Clinical Biochemistry, and a general knowledge of other medical disciplines.  This additional knowledge is essential for clinical validation of highly complex laboratory data.

         To maintain up to date knowledge of recent developments and also areas of research relating to aspects of the discipline.  A proven ability to critically evaluate information e.g. in the form of published work or critical review prior to publication is essential.

·         It is essential to maintain the necessary clinical, scientific and managerial knowledge and skills by participation in the Royal College of Pathologists Continuing Professional Development programme.

·         To have attained a good record of achievement in research, development and audit activities, through presentations at national or international conferences, and publications in peer reviewed journals

·       Training

·         To be responsible for the induction and scientific, technical and clinical training of all laboratory staff in Clinical Biochemistry and Newborn Screening. 

·          To assist in training of community midwives, health visitors and other health professionals in all aspects pertaining to their role in new and existing newborn screening programmes.  To include background/ rationale of the programme, Sample collection, Principles of tests performed, Reporting, liaison and communication and Audit and review of performance

·         To be responsible for training of junior staff within the department and regional trainee Clinical Scientists and medical staff (on rotation) in paediatric Clinical Biochemistry.

·         To develop and maintain training programmes as appropriate.

·         To ensure that a programme of departmental continuing professional development (CPD) meetings is available to staff and to give presentations at these meetings.

·         To give formal lectures and teaching sessions to Trainee Clinical Scientists (STP) studying for the MSc in Clinical Biochemistry as part of the North West Regional training scheme as required.

·       Communication

·         To liaise with other laboratories, clinical, nursing and community staff regarding organisational, analytical and interpretative aspects of work carried out by the Clinical Biochemistry and Newborn Screening laboratories.

·         To liaise with health visitors, midwives, medical staff, other healthcare professionals and when necessary, patients or carers regarding all issues relating to Clinical Biochemistry/Newborn Screening in a professional and sensitive manner

·         To communicate clinically important results of biochemical tests to clinicians or consultants in other laboratories, emphasising the significance of the results and providing advice on interpretation where appropriate.                                                                                                                                                                                To maintain an effective network of contact with professional, clinical and managerial colleagues both within and outside the Trust.

·         To present research, clinical cases and audit in the form of scientific posters or oral presentations at grand rounds, regional, national and international meetings.

 Quality Issues – Clinical Governance

·         To be responsible for internal quality control and external quality assessment for the laboratory, and to liaise with the appropriate external bodies when issues demand.

·         To be responsible for the effective use of audit to maintain and improve service provision.

·         To be responsible for horizon scanning information from a wide range of sources (e.g. DOH) for information on clinical governance and effectiveness which related to the practices in the department, assess relevance and implement changes and monitor standards.

·         To advise and contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of quality management standards within the Biochemistry department.

·       Provide expert advice to the Trust’s clinical governance and clinical effectiveness structure on aspects of Clinical Biochemistry.  This involves the review and interpretation of guidance information (e.g. Health Technology Assessment documentation).

Strategic Issues

 Plan Biochemistry laboratory services, taking into account the national strategic direction for specialist paediatric services and the NHS in general; interpretation of broad national guidance and legislation; professional and scientific developments; new technologies and the needs of the patient; staff, Trust Divisions, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) and the Trust business plans.

·         Contribute to the development and implementation of national strategies including goals and standards linked through audit results

·         Agree service level provision with the Clinical Director and Assistant Medical Director.