What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal - 1 Clinical Scientist position at Freeman Hospital?
Employer heading
Principal - 1 Clinical Scientist
Band 8a
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS hospital trusts in the country. We have around 16,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.7 billion.
With strong history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation regionally, nationally and internationally, we’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country.
As well as providing a wide range of hospital and community services, we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.
Job Overview
An opportunity has arisen for a Principal Clinical Scientist to join the Clinical Biochemistry team in the Department of Blood Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals. The department is located across two sites at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in the city centre and the Freeman Hospital to the North East of the city.
The Trust is one of the largest providers of specialist clinical services in the country. It is supported by a UKAS-accredited Blood Sciences Department with a wide range of specialist sections including Special Chemistry which provides a range of assays using LC-MS/MS, HPLC and ICP-MS, SAS Endocrinology, Metabolic and Newborn Screening, Maternal Serum Screening, Flow Cytometry, Proteins and Immunology and Special Haematology as well as Core Biochemistry, Core Haematology and Blood Transfusion on both sites. Many services are provided to the other trusts within the region as well as to centres throughout the UK and overseas. In addition, support is provided for research and development including collaboration with local clinicians and universities.
The successful candidate will be based primarily at the Freeman Hospital, although cross-site working will be required. They will provide support for Core Biochemistry and develop experience in Specialist Endocrinology and Special Chemistry and participate in the duty biochemist rota.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will provide support for Core Biochemistry, including method validation and verification, troubleshooting, QA support and clinical liaison.
The post-holder will work with the Special Chemistry and SAS Endocrine teams, helping with service development, authorising reports and liaising with service users.
The post-holder will be part of the departmental Duty Biochemist team, working with a team of seven other clinical scientists and three consultant chemical pathologists as well as a number of scientists and clinicians in training. This includes participation in the Duty Biochemist rota, authorising results generated throughout the biochemistry department and liaising with clinical services.
They will contribute to leadership, quality management, governance, service development and staff training within the department.
Training for the specialist aspects of the role will be provided as required with support for career progression including for further FRCPath examinations.
Appointment to this post will require completion of FRCPath part 1. Candidates who are working towards this examination are welcome to apply as they may be considered for appointment to Band 7, with automatic progression to Band 8a within 12 - 18 months upon completion of FRCPath part 1.
Working for our organisation
As 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.
With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:
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 Trust
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Band 8a
As a State Registered Clinical Scientist
Person specification
Meets All Band 8a Criteria
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Tim Lang Job title Consultant Clinical Scientist Email address tim.lang@nhs.net Telephone number 01912824585
Principal - 1 Clinical Scientist
Band 8a
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS hospital trusts in the country. We have around 16,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.7 billion.
With strong history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation regionally, nationally and internationally, we’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country.
As well as providing a wide range of hospital and community services, we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.
Job Overview
An opportunity has arisen for a Principal Clinical Scientist to join the Clinical Biochemistry team in the Department of Blood Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals. The department is located across two sites at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in the city centre and the Freeman Hospital to the North East of the city.
The Trust is one of the largest providers of specialist clinical services in the country. It is supported by a UKAS-accredited Blood Sciences Department with a wide range of specialist sections including Special Chemistry which provides a range of assays using LC-MS/MS, HPLC and ICP-MS, SAS Endocrinology, Metabolic and Newborn Screening, Maternal Serum Screening, Flow Cytometry, Proteins and Immunology and Special Haematology as well as Core Biochemistry, Core Haematology and Blood Transfusion on both sites. Many services are provided to the other trusts within the region as well as to centres throughout the UK and overseas. In addition, support is provided for research and development including collaboration with local clinicians and universities.
The successful candidate will be based primarily at the Freeman Hospital, although cross-site working will be required. They will provide support for Core Biochemistry and develop experience in Specialist Endocrinology and Special Chemistry and participate in the duty biochemist rota.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will provide support for Core Biochemistry, including method validation and verification, troubleshooting, QA support and clinical liaison.
The post-holder will work with the Special Chemistry and SAS Endocrine teams, helping with service development, authorising reports and liaising with service users.
The post-holder will be part of the departmental Duty Biochemist team, working with a team of seven other clinical scientists and three consultant chemical pathologists as well as a number of scientists and clinicians in training. This includes participation in the Duty Biochemist rota, authorising results generated throughout the biochemistry department and liaising with clinical services.
They will contribute to leadership, quality management, governance, service development and staff training within the department.
Training for the specialist aspects of the role will be provided as required with support for career progression including for further FRCPath examinations.
Appointment to this post will require completion of FRCPath part 1. Candidates who are working towards this examination are welcome to apply as they may be considered for appointment to Band 7, with automatic progression to Band 8a within 12 - 18 months upon completion of FRCPath part 1.
Working for our organisation
As 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.
With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:
- Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
- Freeman Hospital
- Newcastle Dental Hospital
- Cramlington Manor Walks
- Urgent treatment centres
- Newcastle Fertility Centre
- Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
- Northern Genetics Service
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 Trust
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Band 8a
- To assist in delivery of a quality, cost effective and patient focussed service from a combination of specialist areas within the department.
- To provide highly specialised advice and interpretation, and to perform final authorisation of patient reports for hospital and primary care clinical staff.
- To carry out research, development and audit in the field of clinical biochemistry.
- To be departmental Duty Biochemist in a rota with other scientific and medical staff.
- To provide scientific supervision of work within specialist departmental teams which may include: Endocrine, Core Automated, Proteins, Special Chemistry, Newborn/Maternal Screening, Paediatrics and Point of Care Testing (POCT).
- To perform specialised, nationally accredited analyses on body fluids, sometimes involving direct patient contact.
- To maintain standards and effect improvements to the service.
As a State Registered Clinical Scientist
- To assist in delivery of a quality, cost effective and patient focussed service from a combination of specialist areas within the department.
- To provide highly specialised advice and interpretation, and to perform final authorisation of patient reports for hospital and primary care clinical staff.
- To carry out research and development and audit in the field of clinical biochemistry.
- To be departmental Duty Biochemist in a rota with other scientific and medical staff.
- To perform specialised, nationally accredited analyses on body fluids, sometimes involving direct patient contact.
- Interview Date Friday 16 October 2026
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You 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
Person specification
Meets All Band 8a Criteria
Essential criteria
- 1 st or 2nd class honours degree in Biochemistry or Chemistry or assessed equivalent knowledge
- MSc in Clinical Biochemistry or assessed equivalent knowledge
- Successful certified completion of a formal Clinical Scientist training programme or assessed equivalent, approved as appropriate for registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- FRCPath (Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists) Part 1 or equivalent knowledge and experience
- A higher degree (PhD) in the field of Clinical Biochemistry or equivalent knowledge or experience
- Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Relevant experience as a Clinical Scientist working in Clinical Biochemistry
- Analytical skills in a range of areas
- Be developing an expertise in a specialised analytical or clinical area
- To have had training in research and development
- Evidence of CPD (Continuous Professional Development)
Essential criteria
- 1 st or 2nd class honours degree in Biochemistry or Chemistry or assessed equivalent knowledge
- MSc in Clinical Biochemistry or assessed equivalent knowledge
- Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or evidence of progression towards registration
- Successful certified completion or near completion of a formal postgraduate training programme approved as appropriate for registration as a Clinical Scientist with the HCPC
- Supervised in service experience
- Evidence of CPD (Continuous Professional Development)
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Documents to download
- Job description (PDF, 374.4KB)
- Newcastle Staff Benefits (PDF, 274.4KB)
- Behaviour and Civility Charter (PDF, 93.8KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Tim Lang Job title Consultant Clinical Scientist Email address tim.lang@nhs.net Telephone number 01912824585