PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY In order to work effectively in the role you as the job holder must be able to demonstrate a number of attributes and abilities. These will include: Clinical/ Scientific /Technical (lab based roles) Perform a wide range of complex clinical technical procedures. These will include the safe and effective use of highly complex laboratory equipment. Your level of knowledge and understanding of these procedures will be consistent with that to allow you to recognise system failures and errors. You will understand the need to report adverse events in the event of errors and failures. Use of the LIMS to report, retrieve and manage technical information To gain new knowledge through experience, formal study and participation in relevant training schemes To be a leading member of a team providing a clinical technical service To work independently when and as required by the service, for instance when working alone in the provision of the emergency on-call service. To communicate, explain complex information and results to clinicians & other service users clearly and effectively whether orally, graphically or electronically Oversight responsibility for co-ordinating effective workload management with prioritisation of samples received within specialist area Responsible for the development and validation of in house quality control material & reagents To validate the work of other sections when circumstances require To work with precision and follow accurately the documented laboratory standard operating procedures To operate highly complex laboratory equipment safely and efficiently To input, manage, extract and interpret complex patient data using the laboratory computer system To demonstrate relevant tasks to others as appropriate To contribute actively towards the improvement of general service quality by participation in relevant discussions with other team members and leaders of other sections within the speciality Attend MDT meetings as appropriate Leadership and Management Support the departments senior team and deputise in the absence of key staff to deliver service To plan and implement changes to the clinical technical service offered by the section To remain competent in established procedures and to develop new skills subject to the requirements of the service Responsible for carrying out appraisal scheme for direct reports Day to day management and responsibility for people governance procedures that are consistent with Trust HR policies for direct reports To undertake tasks that contribute to the general management of the speciality To take account of changes in service delivery by demonstrating a flexible approach to work Effectively administers Trust people governance policies and procedures within area of specialist responsibility and undertakes the necessary training to ensure on-going competence delivery Provides personalised support to promote the continuous development of staff as part of on-going line management responsibilities Responsible for ensuring continuous individual and team development and a collaborative approach Level 2 investigations Roster approval level 1 Budgetary awareness for designated area and works with operational leads to maintain expenditure relating to area of specialist responsibility within agreed limits Produces informative management reports and contributes to business cases which inform strategic decision making Effective stock management Quality / Training Responsible for ensuring that quality management system and training documentation is up to date and fit for purpose at all times for area of specialist responsibility Leads on the maintenance of a robust programme of training and competency assessment within the area of specialist responsibility, ensuring that procedures are only undertaken by staff with the requisite knowledge and skills at all times Oversight of creation and authorisation of Standard Operating Procedures, risk assessments and training records within area of specialist responsibility Have knowledge and understanding of current national legislation and guidelines relevant to the speciality Ensures the maintenance of a safe working environment. This will include an awareness of the hazards associated with your work. In addition you will be aware of any suitable actions to take in the event of breaches in health and safety. Such hazards include fire, manual handling, breaches of security, controlled and uncontrolled exposure to chemical, biological and radioactive materials. Ensuring that training and competency assessment take place at appropriate intervals and across all personnel, both on a scheduled and ad-hoc basis (e.g. in response to incidents) Responsible for ensuring that quality assurance records are being consistently completed in a timely manner with documented assurance through audit Responsible for ensuring that all audit nonconformities relating to the area of specialist responsibility are robustly investigated with timely instigation of remedial and corrective measures in order to successfully mitigate risk Leads on service improvement initiatives for the area of specialist responsibility, empowering all staff to actively contribute to continuous improvement (e.g. establishment of standard work) Leads on the implementation of new or updated technologies/instrumentation/tests within specialist area Responsibility for the management of analytical result quality within area of specialist responsibility, including timely and effective review of EQA, IQC data, establishment and review of uncertainty, data trending, conducting quality investigations, implementing preventative, corrective and remedial follow up Leads on service improvement initiatives for the area of specialist responsibility, empowering all staff to actively contribute to continuous improvement (e.g. establishment of standard work) Actively contributes to service development within area of specialist responsibility by leading on the evaluation of new approaches to service delivery/updated technologies/instruments/ tests Responsible for ensuring that appropriate service continuity plans and action cards are in place for area of specialist responsibility and subject to regular review of effectiveness Maintain patient confidentiality. You will recognise the absolute requirement to protect sensitive information that is related to patient care. Observe the requirements of departmental policies relating to service provision, for example sample labelling and adverse event reporting. Observe the requirements of Trust policies relating to clinical and people governance. Other The principal duties listed above are not an exhaustive list and the post holder will be expected to undertake other duties as commensurate with the grade and role as as agreed with line manager. Addendums to this Job Description may be added to more accurately describe additional duties for non-lab based roles. This job requires a high degree of dexterity and precision when manipulating small tools such as pipettes, handling very small volumes of clinical material or when preparing microscope slides for examination. Working with both speed and accuracy is required. The post holder is responsible for maintaining their competency for all relevant technical and managerial/leadership elements of the role INFECTION CONTROL The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment. HEALTH AND SAFETY / RISK MANAGEMENT All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed security and safer working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc. TRAINING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. The jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role. COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS As the job holder you will communicate and work directly or indirectly with a diverse range of other staff. Those shown below are examples: Internal - Junior staff, colleagues, doctors and managers within the speciality - Pathology staff working in other specialities - Members of clinical teams including nurses, doctors and other practitioners - Administrative and secretarial staff - Estates and facilities staff External - Staff in primary care facilities - Staff in other hospitals - Staff in non NHS organizations (for example suppliers of consumables, equipment engineers, commercial representatives, accreditation organisations and regulatory bodies) - Patients