About this role
Job summary
This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a nationally recognised Point of Care Testing service.
Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) is one of the country's largest thriving NHS pathology networks, providing pathology services across six acute hospitals and associated community services. Our POCT service has been developed over many years and has established a strong national reputation for quality, innovation, clinical partnership and professional leadership.
In 2025, the BSPS POCT team won the NHS England Chief Scientific Officer Award for Outstanding Healthcare Science Service of the Year at the Advancing Healthcare Awards, recognised as a national leader in training, governance and best practice. The service delivers more than 56,000 tests each day across 1,380 devices, using a workforce of 85 staff, and was the first multi-NHS Trust POCT service to achieve ISO 15189:2022 accreditation.
Main duties of the job
As Consultant Clinical Scientist and POCT Specialty Lead, you will provide scientific, clinical and strategic leadership to a multidisciplinary POCT team of 85 staff, working across BSPS acute hospitals and community services, including three ICBs, seven community hospitals and 15 Virtual Ward and Hospital at Home services. You will also become Director of Qpoint, BSPS's established POCT External Quality Assessment Scheme, with responsibilities extending locally, nationally and internationally.
You will lead the strategic development of POCT across BSPS, and further develop POCT across acute, community, Virtual Ward and Hospital@Home services. You will develop innovative clinical pathways that bring high-quality diagnostics closer to patients, and maintain and further develop our ISO 15189:2022 accredited service. You will lead and develop a highly skilled POCT workforce, and drive research, development, audit, digital connectivity and adoption of new technologies. You will influence POCT strategy across multiple NHS organisations, and develop the national and international profile of BSPS POCT and Qpoint, working with clinicians, healthcare organisations, professional bodies and industry to advance the effective use of POCT.
About us
Visa Sponsorship:This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the contract.
Why Join Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust?
At Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, our people are at the heart of everything we do.
As a Disability Confident Employer and recipient of the Gold Award in the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme, we actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion, creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds to build rewarding careers within the NHS.
We also recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance. By supporting flexible working arrangements wherever possible, we enable our colleagues to balance their professional and personal commitments while continuing to deliver outstanding care to our patients. Whether flexibility means adjusted hours, part-time working, hybrid arrangements or alternative working patterns, we work in partnership with our staff to meet both individual and service needs.
Join UsWhether you're at the start of your career or looking for your next challenge, Frimley Health offers the opportunity to be part of a inclusive, forward-thinking organisation that is committed to excellence, innovation and compassionate care. Together, we can shape the future of healthcare and make a real difference to the lives of the communities we serve.
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Job description Job responsibilities
You will work closely with senior clinical, operational and executive colleagues across the network to develop safe, effective and innovative POCT services and clinical pathways. The role includes responsibility for the strategic development of POCT, quality and governance, workforce development, procurement and service innovation.
BSPS has already demonstrated what can be achieved through innovation. Our LabKit model brings laboratory-quality mobile POCT into community and primary care settings including GP surgeries, urgent care centres and patients' own homes supporting the network's wider Hospital@Home and Virtual Ward services.
We are looking for an experienced and credible Clinical Scientist with significant POCT experience and the ability to operate confidently at both strategic and operational levels. You will combine scientific expertise with leadership, vision, innovation and the confidence to influence and challenge senior clinical colleagues. You will have a strong understanding of POCT quality and governance, EQA, clinical risk, service development and the application of POCT across healthcare settings. You will be passionate about developing people, improving patient pathways and ensuring POCT delivers genuine clinical value.
You will be joining a pathology network recognised nationally for its scale, innovation and quality, and taking leadership of a POCT service that has already achieved national recognition. The foundations are exceptional, and we are now looking for the person who can take POCT at BSPS to the next level. If you are ambitious about the future of Point of Care Testing and want to lead a service with genuine national standing, we would love to hear from you.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
First degree or assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise Masters Degree or assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise in a relevant specialty Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists or relevant PhD Demonstration of Continuing Professional Development at agreed level of participation Registered as a clinical scientist with Health and Care Professions Council To have completed a minimum of 5 years in post as a Registered Clinical Scientist of which at least 2 years should have been at advanced practitioner level. Experience in consulting with clinical staff of all grades wanting advice on any aspect of pathology specialty/POCT and its relevance in specific situations.
Desirable
PhD and FRCPath
Managerial Essential
Experience as an active member of relevant committees Knowledge of financial management, resource allocation and procurement. Able to advise and lead on specific service development and strategic planning Able to provide leadership for the POCT Team and professional direction to more junior staff. Able to develop and take responsibility for professional guidelines and policies impacting across the Trust and Health Community Able to organise and manage complex activities Able to prepare and present complex scientific and clinical information at local, regional, national and international conferences. Able to negotiate to provide value for money from diagnostic companies. Good coaching, teaching and mentoring skills.
Desirable
Leadership course/qualification Management course/qualification
Personality Essential
Positive attitude to solving problems and to managing change Able to prioritise tasks and organise time efficiently Able to inspire confidence in peers and subordinates through excellent interpersonal skills, common sense and ability to express rational logic
Experience and Scientific Knowledge Essential
Extensive knowledge of the UK POCT diagnostics market. To have an extensive knowledge of routine and specialised analytical methods, quality assurance and problem To have a sound knowledge of metabolic medicine in adults, children and neonates, consistent with pathology specialty. To have a good knowledge of managerial processes within a typical NHS Hospital Trust. Extensive knowledge of specialist healthcare science activities across the healthcare sector and opportunities for use of POCT.
Desirable
To have expert knowledge in a specialised area
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This 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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address Frimley Park Hospital
Portsmouth Road
Frimley
GU16 7UJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)