Job summary We are seeking a new Senior Medical Information Scientist, to join the UK Teratology Information Service (www.uktis.org), based in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. This national service, commissioned by the UK Health Security Agency and hosted by the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides information on all aspects of the safety of drugs and chemicals in pregnancy to healthcare professionals throughout the UK. We require an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and clinicians. The individual would contribute to undertaking research in the effects of drugs and chemicals on fetal toxicity, providing high quality medical information to health professionals and patients, and represent UKTIS at meetings and conferences at a national and international level. Interview Date Wednesday 05 March 2025 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. NO AGENCIES PLEASE Main duties of the job Applicants should have a degree in a biological science subject or pharmacology, and a postgraduate qualification to Masters level or equivalent, or evidence of working towards this. They should have excellent communication skills, be able to work well in a team and be able to take initiative and prioritise workload. The post holder is required to have experience in interpreting data and critically evaluating the quality of primary literature as well as being able to produce high quality written material. The post will provide an excellent opportunity for an ambitious and motivated individual who wishes to develop a career in reproductive toxicology. This is a fixed term 12-month post. About us Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites: o Freeman Hospital o Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site) o Newcastle Dental Hospital o Newcastle Fertility Centre o Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria o Northern Genetics Service o Cramlington Manor Walks These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS. 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 Date posted 27 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 317-2025-03-045 Job locations Royal Victoria Infirmary 317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary NE1 4LP Job description Job responsibilities To provide support to the Head and Assistant Head of Teratology and the UK Teratology Information Service, a service hosted by the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and commissioned by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on behalf of all UK health departments. This is a service for healthcare professionals throughout the UK which provides advice and risk assessment on any aspect of reproductive toxicity (male or female fertility, preconception advice, pregnancy advice) following exposure to drugs, chemicals and other noxious substances in the environment, the work place or the home. This also includes advice on the effects of deliberate and accidental poisoning prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy and via breast milk. The risk assessment may involve discussion of therapeutic abortion or voluntary termination of pregnancy and conveying distressing news concerning congenital malformations. Retrospective risk assessment of the possible causes of congenital malformations, neurodevelopmental delay and other adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriages is also provided. The main aim of the service is to prevent reproductive toxicity, especially congenital malformations, from occurring by delivering appropriate, accurate, evidence-based advice. The position has specific responsibility for:o Training National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) staff in teratology;o Assisting in providing assessment and support of new staff following teratology training;o Assist the Assistant Head of Teratology in co-ordination of teratology monograph updates;o Maintenance of the UKTIS database of pregnancy outcomes;o Checking teratology enquiry and follow-up forms for clinical accuracy (clinical governance);o Managing their own workload within the teratology office;o Research and development work in the field of teratology and reproductive risk;o Supporting colleagues to enable them to answer enquiries concerning reproductive effects of drugs, chemicals and poisons;o Supporting the Head and Assistant Head of UKTIS in providing the unique national Teratology Information Service to healthcare professionals in the UK. In addition, the Senior Medical Information Scientist (UKTIS) will provide a high-quality health information service in the areas of teratology (safety of drugs and chemicals in pregnancy), poisoning in pregnancy and medicines information for NHS health professionals, carers and, where appropriate, members of the public. 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. Job description Job responsibilities To provide support to the Head and Assistant Head of Teratology and the UK Teratology Information Service, a service hosted by the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and commissioned by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on behalf of all UK health departments. This is a service for healthcare professionals throughout the UK which provides advice and risk assessment on any aspect of reproductive toxicity (male or female fertility, preconception advice, pregnancy advice) following exposure to drugs, chemicals and other noxious substances in the environment, the work place or the home. This also includes advice on the effects of deliberate and accidental poisoning prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy and via breast milk. The risk assessment may involve discussion of therapeutic abortion or voluntary termination of pregnancy and conveying distressing news concerning congenital malformations. Retrospective risk assessment of the possible causes of congenital malformations, neurodevelopmental delay and other adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriages is also provided. The main aim of the service is to prevent reproductive toxicity, especially congenital malformations, from occurring by delivering appropriate, accurate, evidence-based advice. The position has specific responsibility for:o Training National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) staff in teratology;o Assisting in providing assessment and support of new staff following teratology training;o Assist the Assistant Head of Teratology in co-ordination of teratology monograph updates;o Maintenance of the UKTIS database of pregnancy outcomes;o Checking teratology enquiry and follow-up forms for clinical accuracy (clinical governance);o Managing their own workload within the teratology office;o Research and development work in the field of teratology and reproductive risk;o Supporting colleagues to enable them to answer enquiries concerning reproductive effects of drugs, chemicals and poisons;o Supporting the Head and Assistant Head of UKTIS in providing the unique national Teratology Information Service to healthcare professionals in the UK. In addition, the Senior Medical Information Scientist (UKTIS) will provide a high-quality health information service in the areas of teratology (safety of drugs and chemicals in pregnancy), poisoning in pregnancy and medicines information for NHS health professionals, carers and, where appropriate, members of the public. 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. Person Specification Qualifications & Education Essential Relevant first degree in Biological Sciences or Pharmacology A relevant postgraduate qualification to master's level or equivalent, or evidence of working towards this Evidence of continuing professional development, such as postgraduate study and conference attendance and participation Desirable Postgraduate qualification such as an MPhil or PhD in pharmacology, toxicology or developmental biology Knowledge & Experience Essential Be experienced in interpreting data and critically evaluating the quality of primary literature, in particular therapeutics, clinical toxicology and reproductive toxicology (fertility, pregnancy and development of the unborn child) Show experience in use of primary, secondary and tertiary literature sources. Must be able to operate scientific databases, use applications which access Medline and be familiar with other sources used for searching the primary literature Produce high quality written material for abstracts, summaries, monographs and letters that are scientifically and grammatically correct Desirable Previous employment or experience in a health information/clinical advisory role (NHS, private or academic) Previous experience of working in a research environment Report writing Publications in primary literature Contribution to research projects relating to clinical toxicology/reproductive toxicology/teratology Use of statistics packages and databases Skills & Abilities Essential Requires the ability to prioritise workloads, balance and progress work tasks simultaneously, respond to tight deadlines, and meet enquirer requirements, and contribute to a telephone answering rota system Have highly developed listening skills and be able to relate and deliver information and clinical advice clearly and concisely Have ability in training individuals and groups including clinical scientists, pharmacists, nurses and other healthcare professionals Ability in basic mathematical skills and a sound understanding of basic statistical principles Skilled in the operation of Microsoft products, in particular Windows, Internet Explorer, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and use of an email application Able to prepare and present material for the continuing education of colleagues, for regional, national or international professional meetings Person Specification Qualifications & Education Essential Relevant first degree in Biological Sciences or Pharmacology A relevant postgraduate qualification to master's level or equivalent, or evidence of working towards this Evidence of continuing professional development, such as postgraduate study and conference attendance and participation Desirable Postgraduate qualification such as an MPhil or PhD in pharmacology, toxicology or developmental biology Knowledge & Experience Essential Be experienced in interpreting data and critically evaluating the quality of primary literature, in particular therapeutics, clinical toxicology and reproductive toxicology (fertility, pregnancy and development of the unborn child) Show experience in use of primary, secondary and tertiary literature sources. Must be able to operate scientific databases, use applications which access Medline and be familiar with other sources used for searching the primary literature Produce high quality written material for abstracts, summaries, monographs and letters that are scientifically and grammatically correct Desirable Previous employment or experience in a health information/clinical advisory role (NHS, private or academic) Previous experience of working in a research environment Report writing Publications in primary literature Contribution to research projects relating to clinical toxicology/reproductive toxicology/teratology Use of statistics packages and databases Skills & Abilities Essential Requires the ability to prioritise workloads, balance and progress work tasks simultaneously, respond to tight deadlines, and meet enquirer requirements, and contribute to a telephone answering rota system Have highly developed listening skills and be able to relate and deliver information and clinical advice clearly and concisely Have ability in training individuals and groups including clinical scientists, pharmacists, nurses and other healthcare professionals Ability in basic mathematical skills and a sound understanding of basic statistical principles Skilled in the operation of Microsoft products, in particular Windows, Internet Explorer, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and use of an email application Able to prepare and present material for the continuing education of colleagues, for regional, national or international professional meetings 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). Additional information 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). Employer details Employer name The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Royal Victoria Infirmary 317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary NE1 4LP Employer's website https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)