Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Clinical Scientist to join the Biochemistry team based in Hywel Dda University Health Board.



The successful candidate will join a team of 2 Consultant Clinical Scientists and one Principal Clinical Scientist. You must be registered with the Health Care Professions Council as a Clinical Scientist (Clinical Biochemistry).



Biochemistry is part of the wider blood sciences department that has laboratories in all four hospitals in South West Wales; Bronglais General Hospital in Aberystwyth, Glangwili General Hospital in Carmarthen, Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli and Withybush General Hospital in Haverfordwest.



The biochemistry laboratories have recently undergone an analyser upgrade and are equipped with Roche COBAS Pro, Radiometer Abl 80, Tosoh G8, Sebia Minicap/Capillarys 3 and Binding Site Optilite analysers.



To advise and interpret test results and to discuss their relevance with regard to the patient's clinical condition, treatment and recommend further testing, if appropriate. Please see below for further duties.



Although the post as advertised is full time at AfC band 8a we're also open to appointing someone part time, flexible working or to candidates who don't yet have Part 1 FRCPath (under Annex 21 rules).



For appointment at AfC band 8a we will require you to have relevant Clinical Biochemistry experience, be HCPC registered as a Clinical Scientist, have an MSc or equivalent in Clinical Biochemistry and have obtained FRCPath Part 1. Consideration will be given to appoint under AfC Annex 21 for candidates who are HCPC registered as a Clinical Scientist but who have yet to attain the FRCPath part 1 examination but are actively working towards it.



Full support will be given to allow the successful candidates to complete their training within a fixed period of time. Please see below for further information on Annex 21.



The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.



Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and its bordering counties. Our 11,000 members of staff provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services for around 384,000 people across a quarter of the landmass of Wales. We do this in partnership with our three local authorities and public, private and third sector colleagues, including our volunteers, through:

Four main hospitals:

Bronglais General in Aberystwyth, Glangwili General in Carmarthen, Prince Philip in Llanelli and Withybush General in Haverfordwest;

Seven community hospitals:

Amman Valley and Llandovery in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron, Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire Hospital Health and Social Care Resource Centre in Pembrokeshire;



48 general practices (four of which are managed practices), 47 dental practices (including three orthodontic), 99 community pharmacies, 44 general ophthalmic practices (43 providing Eye Health Examination Wales and 34 low vision services) and 17 domiciliary only providers and 11 health centres;



Numerous locations providing mental health and learning disabilities services;



Highly specialised and tertiary services commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, a joint committee representing seven health boards across Wales.



This post is advertised as a Band 8a and ideally candidates for this role must have achieved the FRCPath part 1 examination. However applicants who do not currently hold the qualification for the Band 8a role are encouraged to apply, and if successful, will need to attain the qualification within 2 years and will be appointed under the All Wales Annex 21 rules.



This means they will be supported by a development plan. (During the first year payment will be 70% of the top rate of band 8a pay, and the second year 75%). And following successful completion of the FRCPath part 1 examination the post holder will then be paid at Band 8a (minimum point on the scale). Support and supervision will be provided in order to develop the successful applicant to the Band 8a role. As part of the Annex 21 process, there is no financial penalty to those who apply for this role where the percentage will cause a reduction in pay, subsequently a local protection would be put in place until the pay has caught up.

Failure to achieve the qualification and required competencies in the designated timeframe could result in re-deployment.

Other duties to include:

To support validation and implementation of new methods and assays, overseeing their introduction into routine clinical use.



Act independently within appropriate occupational guidelines and policies, whilst remaining accountable overall to the Consultant Clinical Scientists.



Identify priority analyses or referral specimens on clinical grounds and liaise with Section Managers if these impact the day to day management of Biomedical Scientists and support staff.



Contribute to, monitor and implement medium and long-term service improvement schemes.



Contribute to departmental discussions on the diagnostic implications of service development and strategic planning issues, both medium and long-term.



You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.



The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.



The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.



Interviews will be held on 12/8/2025.