Pathology Lead in Sawbridgeworth

A vacancy has arisen for an experienced individual to lead the busy multidisciplinary team at the Ramsay Rivers TDL laboratory in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire. This is a multidisciplinary 24/7 onsite laboratory that provides Pathology and Blood Transfusion services to several private hospitals in the area. The successful post holder must be a registered BMS with an Honours (first or second class) degree in Biomedical Science or equivalent. The successful candidate must have extensive and demonstrated experience in managing an acute biochemistry, haematology or blood science service in a large, complex environment.

Main duties of the job:

• Experience in leadership (motivation, teamwork, delegation, change management), as well as staff recruitment, management, retention and performance management.
• Experience in managing teams, including setting priorities and addressing performance issues.
• Demonstrated experience in managing, developing, co-ordinating and delivering provision of complex analytical services through analysis, interpretation and technical validation of diagnostic analytical results, including troubleshooting technical problems.
• Validation and introduction of new techniques and equipment.
• Knowledge of maintaining an accredited service, including UKAS/MHRA/CQC registrations and IBMS training standards.
• Continuing professional development and training laboratory staff and assessing competence.
• Demonstrated advanced quality assurance principles and practices.

The successful individual should be flexible, highly motivated and an effective team player; methodical, with the ability to understand and meet targets and deadlines, and possess strong relationship building, negotiating and influencing skills. Where necessary, some on-bench working patterns would be required to ensure business continuity, and for in-touch review of the service/departments. Participation in the out of hours on call rota may be required for which there are additional payments.

About us:

At TDL we offer a variety of excellent staff benefits including:

• Training and development opportunities supporting professional development.
• Annual salary review - No banding restrictions: As we are a private company we are not restricted by salary bandings and so are able to negotiate appropriate salaries based on experience.
• Discounted gym membership with Better Gyms.
• Cash healthcare plan cash back on a variety of healthcare costs including dentist and opticians.
• Sick Pay Entitlement: 5 paid days in the first year of employment, 20 days thereafter.
• Permanent Health Insurance and Death in Service Cover.
• Life Assurance providing salary continuation for long term illness (six months qualifying period).
• Employee Assistance Programme supporting staff wellbeing.
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme interest free loan for the cost of annual travel ticket.
• Perkbox Access to additional staff perks and benefits such as high street discounts.
• Company Pension Scheme with company and staff contributions which increase with service.
• Competitive annual leave allowance of 28 days.
• Flexible working hours supporting flexibility around shift patterns and working schedule.

Job responsibilities:

• To take management responsibility for the operations and service delivery for the onsite Laboratory at the Rivers Laboratory (Ramsay Hospital).
• To work with the TDL Quality Management Group to ensure that the service meets all requirements for UKAS, MHRA and other applicable standards.
• To ensure expected service quality is met at all times, including continuous review of all technical procedures and establishment of effective quality control and quality assurance procedures.
• To ensure that all staff fully understand contracted KPIs and service standards and that each service section meets and continuously improves on these.
• To use data to drive the improved performance of the laboratories from Group systems such as Tableau, Q-pulse and Sonic Learn.
• To be responsible for the organisation and performance of analytical testing to ensure the correct reporting to the ordering practitioner within contracted target turnaround times.
• To provide leadership, motivation and direction to ensure provision of a high quality, clinically safe laboratory service.
• To review and where appropriate, develop operational policies and procedures to ensure effective and efficient working practices.
• To ensure that senior management is aware of issues concerning service delivery including shortfall, service pressures and to propose remedial action.
• To implement processes, policy, contracts etc. as required by the Regional Manager.
• To take appropriate corrective action where quality control or assurance procedures indicate loss of performance; this may include suspending services and, in conjunction with the Regional Manager, making arrangements to transfer work to an alternative site.
• To be fully familiar with the laboratory information technology systems and analytical systems to ensure that all are utilised appropriately at all times.
• In conjunction with the Regional Manager, ensure that the service is provided within operating budgets, that all resources are utilised effectively and efficiently and that unusual spends are identified and addressed.
• To evaluate the skill mix across the service and to ensure that appropriate systems are in place for business continuity needs.
• To be responsible for staff appointment, supervision and management of training plans such that all staff can conduct duties in line with required competence, responsibility and job description.
• To ensure staffing rotas are maintained and planned accordingly with correct numbers and grades of staff for uninterrupted service provision.
• Under Company financial instructions, to be responsible for managing consumable supplies ordering, including stock control and rotation, to ensure uninterrupted service.
• To liaise and cooperate with internal and external clients and clinicians, including the pathology consultant team, to ensure a safe clinical service is provided.
• To investigate and respond to complaints, adverse incidents and service performance issues under the direction of the Quality Management Group.
• To maintain appropriate and effective communications within the department, to include documented evidence of formal departmental meetings and operational reports where applicable to senior management and the Quality Management Group.
• To participate in and contribute to effective operational and quality meetings.
• To work in conjunction with other Heads of Department/Pathology leads at other Regional Labs, The Halo Building, TDL Manchester and Ealing Laboratory.
• To ensure staff training and development is supported and maintained, in conjunction with the Head of Scientific Training, including compliance with Institute of Biomedical Science standards for training.
• To co-ordinate and facilitate annual performance review for all departmental staff, including objective setting in line with company aims and objectives.
• To coordinate and maintain a programme for staff induction and competency assessment in line with Company protocol.
• To maintain and update departmental records, including those relating to payroll, absence and annual leave reporting and training.
• In conjunction with the Quality Management Group, to ensure that all procedures are validated before use and regularly reviewed thereafter; to include participation in scheduled and ad hoc quality audits.
• In conjunction with the Quality Management Group, to ensure that all standard operating procedures are maintained, updated and observed by all staff.
• To ensure that working practices within departmental services are conducted in line with Company Health and Safety regulations; to include responding to incident and audit findings.
• To be responsible for the supervision of physical assets, to include adequate maintenance, repair and safe operation.
• In conjunction with the Regional Manager, to ensure that business continuity plans are formulated, updated and invoked as necessary.
• In conjunction with the Regional Manager, to ensure departmental compliance with client major incident plans.
• In conjunction with the Regional Manager, to support business objectives and strategic planning; to include participation in cost management initiatives, budgetary and performance analysis.
• To maintain awareness of technical developments particularly those that support business or quality needs.
• To liaise with and foster good relationships with spoke hospitals within the service catchment area, and attend meetings where required.
• To maintain Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
• Participate in all areas of laboratory bench work, whilst adhering to standard operating procedures and participating in their regular review and update.

Person Specification:

Experience:

• Theoretical and practical knowledge in all disciplines of pathology relevant to its multidisciplinary nature.
• Experience of leading a multi-disciplinary team.
• Able to manage, develop, co-ordinate and provide complex analytical services.
• Experience in analysis, interpretation and technical validation of diagnostic analytical results.
• Sufficient knowledge to be able to analyse and troubleshoot complex technical and analytical problems.
• Experience in validation and introduction of new techniques and equipment.
• Extensive knowledge of maintaining an accredited service, including UKAS/MHRA/CQC registrations and IBMS training standards.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience in training laboratory staff and assessing competence.
• Able to demonstrate advanced quality assurance principles and practice.
• Extensive experience in managing an acute biochemistry, haematology or blood science service in a large, complex environment.
• Experience in leadership (motivation, teamwork, delegation, change management).
• Experience in staff recruitment, management, retention and performance management.
• Experience in managing teams, including setting priorities and addressing performance issues.

Qualifications:

• Honours (first or second class) degree in Biomedical Science or equivalent.
• Current registration with The Health Professions Council (HPC). FIBMS would be advantageous.

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.

UK Registration:

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.