Registered Clinical Scientist (XR07)

Posting date:	24 February 2026
Salary:	£47,810.00 to £54,710.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£47810.00 - £54710.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	15 March 2026
Location:	Leeds, LS9 7TF
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Contract
Job reference:	C9298-ONC-0623

Summary

. JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY Responsible for delivery and scientific development of a high-quality diagnostic service. Scientific lead in service provision for a specified clinical area. Provide advice to consultants and other users. Participate in forming national best-practice policy. The Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service (HMDS) laboratory is a regional diagnostic service for haematology departments in West, North and East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, serving a population of 3.6 million. The annual core budget is £800,000, representing in excess of 2.2 million Welcan work units. The laboratory is fully compliant with the Improving Outcomes Guidance for Haematological Oncology and provides an integrated service encompassing examination of tissue biopsies, blood and bone marrow specimens. This includes morphological analysis, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and molecular cytogenetics. A particular feature of the service is a dedicated IT platform that allows communication with clinical units and an integrated database, which includes both pathological and clinical information. HMDS also provides a range of highly specialised and complex diagnostic tests to centres throughout the UK and has a major commitment to the support of the National Cancer Research Institute clinical trials. HMDS provides an out-of-hours on-call service to cover emergency work. HMDS is divided into six main functional sub-specialities (see appendix for more details) Histology and immunohistochemistry Flow cytometry Molecular genetics: interphase Fluorescent in situ Hybridisation (FISH) Molecular genetics: DNA- and RNA-based tests Reporting and audit Management and development of information systems technology The diagnosis of the various types of haematological malignancy requires expertise in the microscopic examination of cells and tissues, the application of cell marker studies and the use of molecular techniques. The main workload is concerned with the investigation of peripheral blood, bone marrow and lymph node and other tissue specimens. The methods used can be applied to any sample of tissue or cell suspension where there is clinical suspicion of haematological malignancy. The postholder will independently discuss, advise and challenge clinicians and scientists, including consultants (both from haematology and other disciplines) and GPs, on the complex interpretation of results which may be sensitive or contentious. The postholder will provide input to ensure a high standard of service that is both cost-effective and efficient. This includes suggestions towards decisions on the purchase of items of equipment, reagents or software. There will be a close day-to-day working relationship with the Genetic Laboratory Services, the University of Leeds, histopathology and other pathology departments within LTHT, including shared use of space, equipment and other facilities. The post-holder will present scientific findings at national and international scientific meetings. They will be involved in the formulation of national and international best practice guidelines for the diagnosis and monitoring of haematological malignancies. The postholder will be responsible for the mentoring and training of Clinical Scientist STP trainees. There is a teaching relationship with the University of Leeds, and the postholder may contribute towards supervision of project work of biology and medical undergraduates. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Clinical Take personal responsibility for delivery of laboratory scientific service for specific diseases and others as required. Determine appropriate tests for individual cases. Prioritise testing and reporting to ensure reporting targets are met for all samples, including urgent tests. Liaise with technical staff. Perform laboratory technical work as required, for example, as part of a development project or troubleshooting of services. Ensure laboratory stocks are maintained, in particular in one's own areas of work. Analyse and interpret results of tests, which are often be highly complex or non-routine, and consider further investigations. Responsibility for validating results generated by laboratory staff, ensuring internal quality control. Use of specialist tools to process laboratory data, compare results and interpret data. Interpreting results in the context of patient clinical features, published literature, databases and other pathology tests. Be able to use these results to write clinically relevant interpretations as part of an integrated report, taking national and professional guidelines or equivalent standards into account. Ensure data is recorded accurately in databases. Keep accurate records of all clinically relevant email, telephone and verbal communications. Discuss individual patient cases at regular multidisciplinary (MDT) meetings with clinicians from a range of clinical specialities to determine appropriate testing and interpretation of results. Independently discuss, advise and challenge consultants and other users on the appropriateness of tests and the interpretation of results, which may be complex, sensitive or contentious. Propose changes which may impact on policies within the HMDS laboratory and suggest changes which may impact outside the laboratory, for example in Clinical Haematologyor Clinical Oncology. Suggest areas appropriate for and contribute to clinical audit Managerial Following departmental UKAS accreditation policy by producing and maintaining standard operating procedures. Suggest areas appropriate for laboratory internal audit and perform specified audit activities. Responsibility for scheduling day-to-day case management of technicians and trainee scientists, including advice and troubleshooting. Provide direction and support for scientific and technical staff within the laboratory as required. Suggest and research laboratory equipment requirements, software and bioinformatics tools and investigate appropriate suppliers, taking into account cost, reliability, staff feedback and other factors. Contribute to changes leading to service reconfiguration. Organise and schedule staff meetings, including inviting external speakers. To lead in a defined clinically relevant area, e.g., internal audit, monitoring of response to user feedback, training. Scientific/Research and Development Present scientific findings at department, national and international scientific meetings. Responsibility for reporting and publishing any research findings arising from laboratory investigations. Involvement in formulation of national and European best-practice guidelines by presentation and debate. Ongoing development of HMDS services for specific diseases, incorporating technological and scientific developments and re-addressing clinical needs. Ensure service standards meet national guidelines, including UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme recommendations, in consultation with Quality Lead. Development of new services in consultation with senior scientific staff. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of haemato-oncology in general with particular reference to one's own caseload. Teaching and Training Participate in the teaching and training of personnel working in or seconded to the HMDS Laboratory, e.g., trainee clinical scientists, undergraduate project students, registrars. Attend relevant scientific conferences and workshops. Be actively preparing for FRC Path and maintain a training record. Comply with Trust mandatory training requirements Maintain competency records for relevant work areas THE LEEDS WAY VALUES Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are: Patient-centred Collaborative Fair Accountable Empowered All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values Additionally, the following are core values which relate specifically to this post: Quality focus: Maintenance of highest standards in laboratory tests and reports, with reference to best practice guidelines, National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS), Clinical Audit, Internal Audit and UKAS. Accreditation. Respond to mistakes in a way which leads to learning and service improvement. Attention to detail: Observance of high laboratory standards; operating according to up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures. Patient orientation: Relating activities back to patient care; clinical audit. Demonstration of honesty, integrity, self-confidence and self-control. Open to change: Readiness to respond in a timely fashion to research, technological, strategic and financial change in this rapidly changing field. . COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS The post holders main communication channels will be: Within the HMDS Laboratory Scientific Lead for HMDS HMDS Quality Manager HMDS Clinical Scientists and Biomedical Scientists HMDS Laboratory support staff and Admin Team Within the Trust but outside the department Professional Development Organisation Learning Consultants Other relevant Clinical, Scientific and Technical Staff Information Technology Human resources Outside the Trust Other medical staff Research groups British Society for Haematology Royal College of Pathologists Manufacturers and suppliers