Cellular Sciences Service Manager

The Service Manager will be accountable to the Head of Pathology and will hold overall responsibility for the financial and service performance of the Cellular Science services including all aspects of patient safety, quality and clinical governance.

The responsibilities shall include professional, operational, scientific, organisational, administrative and educational matters relevant to the services offered by the laboratory and to support the wider strategic direction of the Trusts.

The Service Manager will provide professional leadership to all staff within the cellular sciences service and communicate a clear vision and direction demonstrating a clear understanding of the current market environment including awareness and all opportunities and threats to new and existing business/income.

To ensure management of the Cellular Sciences service including performance (HR, finance, clinical effectiveness, quality and safety) is delivered efficiently and effectively.

To be responsible for the policy implementation and service development in line with service, Trusts and national policy and guidance, providing vision and leadership working in conjunction with neighbouring Trusts and stakeholders.

Main duties of the job:

• Delegation of key roles and responsibilities to other managers and senior staff whilst maintaining accountability for such tasks.
• Ensure services are developed and modernised to meet Trusts objectives.
• Manage and review the utilisation of all resources and expenditure against planned performance/activity, ensuring that services are provided within available funds.
• Provide regular and accurate information concerning the performance of the Cellular Sciences service through senior leadership to the Pathology Board.
• Participate in dialogue and co-operation with commissioners, other stakeholders, and providers of healthcare.
• Support quality and compliance in the development, implementation, and adherence to Pathology Policy, to ensure compliance to all regulatory and accreditation standards involved in the provision of laboratory services.
• Effectively manage and coordinate the operational and business aspects of specialised pathology disciplines.
• Provide an excellent, safe environment for staff, patients and visitors ensuring that all Pathology staff comply with current legislation relating to all aspects of health and safety; adherence to all Trusts policies and procedures; reporting any untoward incidents and undertake risk assessments where appropriate.
• As an expert in your field ensure the services delivered meet national and local standards and performance targets, interpreting complex data into meaningful information to ensure all necessary action is taken to comply with targets whilst not compromising the quality of service.
• Effectively manage services within agreed financial and contractual targets and the context of the Trust’s strategic direction and to ensure proactive exception reporting to the pathology board.
• Oversee the co-ordination and development of the annual business plan for Cellular Sciences with a robust implementation plan and performance framework.
• Ensure mechanisms are in place to support and develop the marketing of services understanding the contracting process and promotion of services to the commissioners and the private sector.
• Manage the recruitment, selection, appointment, retention, and deployment of staff, following all relevant Trusts policies and procedures.
• Ensure efficient and effective use of staff resources to support a service delivery.
• Represent the services, occasionally deputising for the Head of Pathology at various meetings and forums both within and external to the Trusts to promote the service and act as an advocate for the service.
• Be responsible for ensuring effective communication to provide robust working relationships and clear communication channels with the multi-disciplinary team within the pathology service and with all service users both internal and external to the Trusts.
• Contribute to the development, production and implementation of all relevant service procedures and protocols, audits, quality, and research ensuring compliance with local, regional, and national regulations to ensure patient services are continually improved.
• Provide an operational vision for the service which supports the team in achieving Trusts and Pathology objectives.
• Be responsible for the assessment and management of risks within the work area, acting where necessary and identifying training or resource needs.
• Manage the process for dealing with complaints and incident reporting within the work environment, ensuring compliance with all relevant Trusts policies and procedures.
• Ensure that robust schedules are in place for routine equipment maintenance to minimise disruption to service provision.
• Participate in the assessment of equipment and in the equipment replacement planning programme and procurement for the service including service and repair contracts.
• Ensure the service we provide is to the standard agreed within the resources available.
• Involve staff in the decision-making process to develop team building within the service.
• Balance the needs and requirements of the department with those of the service, the hospitals, and the Trusts to ensure the most effective use of resources.

Person specification:

• State registered Biomedical Scientist
• HCPC approved degree
• Portfolio of leadership/management training
• MSc/FIBMS in pathology Speciality
• Understanding of Pathology Speciality techniques and procedures to Master’s Degree standard
• Analytical problem-solving skills

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS): It is the policy of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost for their DBS certificate.

Qualifications: Please note the essential qualifications required for the post are outlined within the Person Specification.

New Starters – Probationary Period: For any new employees commencing employment with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, you will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period.

Employment References: As part of our pre-employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years employment history including any gaps.

Working Hours: If the hours advertised for the post are up to full time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full-time hours.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate.

Disability: We are a Disability Confident Lead employer. This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.

Right to Work in the UK: The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role.

Further Important Information: Please check your email on a regular basis for updates on your application.