The post-holder will provide operational support for diagnostic laboratory services working in collaboration with the Synnovis management, and the Head of Department. The role will act as a lead scientist and training officer for laboratory operations overseeing a team of biomedical scientists and laboratory support staff based at the Denmark Hill Campus of King's College Hospital.
The Department provides high-quality, UKAS accredited services for diagnosis of tumours and other pathologies of the nervous system. A wide range of CNS and PNS specimens are handled including Brain, Pituitary Gland, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Muscle, Nerve, Skin for Intra-Epidermal Nerve Fibre Density analysis (IENFD) and Epilepsy surgery. The department provides autopsy examinations for forensic neuropathology, particularly for head injury, and coordinates research projects and teaching courses in traumatic neuropathology. The department also provides clinical diagnosis for the Centre for Nervous Tissue Bio-Resource (Brain Bank) for Neurodegenerative Disease.
Extensive previous experience of working as a Biomedical Scientist at senior level in the histopathology discipline is essential. Experience in managing an ISO15189 accredited laboratory would be an advantage.
This is a permanent position available immediately to a suitably qualified applicant.
Main duties of the job
This role will be accountable for managing a team of scientists and support workers and will be responsible for delivering the Neuropathology service in Synnovis. Reporting to the Service Delivery Manager (SDM) or General Manager (GM), you will have a high level of responsibility including leading in an area of expertise to ensure the successful operational delivery of pathology services, in line with our corporate objectives.
You will hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment including but not limited to:
1. Direct and indirect line management for all employees in your service including delivering all aspects of people management, such as recruitment, performance management, absence management, learning and development, employee health and wellbeing.
2. Manage employee availability and shift allocation to ensure required employee resource levels, including where necessary, and within budget, temporary staffing requisitions, time sheet approval and overtime.
3. Ensure that all areas of responsibility comply with legislation and conform with ISO 15189 and the recommendations from recognised professional bodies.
4. Ensure the delivery and continuity of a diagnostic pathology service for high standards of patient care, maintaining all regulatory accreditation whilst delivering service improvements.
About us
You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding/support for advanced qualifications.
Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
King's College Hospital Foundation Trust is one of the UK's leading NHS Foundation Trusts. King's has various divisions including Neurosciences, Haematology, Cancer and Cardiovascular sciences, where there are unlimited opportunities to develop and perfect your career.
Over the last 170 years, King's has delivered world class service to patients from deprived communities as well as some of the wealthiest in London.
Job responsibilities
Key Relationships
* Departmental Service Delivery Manager (SDM) / Operational Service Lead (OSL)
* Head of Department and Lead Consultant Neuropathologist (HoD)
* Synnovis Tissue Sciences Quality Manager and Quality Officers (QM)
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Line manage employees, including delivering all aspects of people management, such as recruitment, performance management, absence management, learning and development, employee health and wellbeing.
2. Work with SDM to support long term objectives of the service including skills gap analysis, workforce development and succession planning.
3. Participate in the strategic development and service improvement of the analytical service, being responsible for the implementation of new techniques, equipment, and tests, including all verification and validation work.
4. Facilitate and highlight research, development and evaluation of new techniques in conjunction with SDM, Scientific and Clinical leads. Assess the need for additional resources and new developments, developing business cases and strategies as required.
5. Plan and organise the work schedules to ensure necessary cover is provided to meet turnaround times and quality objectives including organising temporary resource where necessary.
6. Manage out of hours rota, adjusting as necessary to ensure the continued provision of a laboratory service 24 hours a day if required.
7. Encourage junior employees in their scientific expertise, knowledge and professional development, including the safe use of highly complex and sensitive equipment.
8. Work with Training lead and ensure appropriate competency training is delivered, including supporting induction, training and competency sign-off of new employees in own area.
9. Facilitate the provision of technical and operational training and be responsible for ensuring specialist training is delivered to scientific and support staff and other healthcare professionals.
10. Provide regular updates to SDM, including submitting Operational Performance data and present at relevant meetings.
11. Where necessary analyse samples in line with local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including but not limited to recording results and necessary action on the Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), ensuring all Information Governance (IG) requirements are met.
12. Closely support clinical staff in the interpretation, notification and follow-up of clinically significant results, and the clinical authorisation of highly complex results.
13. Ensure all incidents and events are correctly reported by all employees in Q-Pulse and other relevant software and support them in learning quality procedures and investigations.
14. In conjunction with the Quality team, monitor, report and action errors, hazards, and incidents logged in the CAPA module of Q-Pulse. This may include taking part in audits and investigations of incidents.
15. Oversee EQA and IQC performance and ensure corrective action has been taken.
16. Ensure compliance with all regulatory and quality requirements of regulatory directives, accreditation bodies, and local management including:
* Care Quality Commission
* UKAS
* Synnovis policies and SOPs
* Any other body in area of responsibility.
1. Develop, and regularly review relevant documents, including SOPs, COSHH and risk assessments in line with the ISO 15189 standard and where necessary propose policy and service changes.
2. Support in the development and implementation of Business Continuity and Serious Incidents Plans where necessary for your service line(s).
3. Troubleshoot and resolve technical laboratory problems and manage situations which may result in a service delivery failure, escalating anything that will impact the service continuity.
4. Demonstrate professionalism, patience and empathy when explaining complex subjects, and in particular when communicating with people who do not share same level of knowledge or understanding.
5. Maintain standards of conduct required by the HCPC to practice as a registered Biomedical Scientist.
6. Attend, and chair regular departmental meetings and ensure effective communication within the department and across the service line, deputising for SDM as required.
7. Responsible for departmental budget, including the authorisation of purchases and the reconciliation of delivery notes with purchase orders; ensure appropriate stock levels and equipment within the units are maintained within budgetary limits.
8. Support Synnovis commercial endeavours by providing accurate costings for laboratory procedures and commercial trials and contracts.
9. Take part in CPD activities to ensure that your practices and knowledge are always relevant and up to date to your specific area.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist.
* Qualification in laboratory management.
* Fellowship of IBMS.
* Chartered Scientist.
Experience
* Minimum of 10 years in a Neuropathology / Histopathology laboratory with experience at senior BMS level (Band 7).
* Proficient in a wide range of relevant histological techniques to be able to troubleshoot.
* Experience of laboratory information management systems.
* Knowledge of the requirements for ISO15189 accreditation.
* Practical expertise in neuro-histological and muscle histochemistry techniques.
* Previous or current involvement in scientific research.
Skills and Knowledge
* Well-developed interpersonal skills, able to organize and manage own work and that of others.
* Experience in delivering training and supporting the development of scientific staff.
* Knowledge of laboratory design and safety guidelines.
* Knowledge of Human Tissue Act legislation.
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.
Depending on experience £61,927 to £68,676 per annum depending on experience.
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