Biomedical Scientist Team Manager, Biochemistry

An amazing opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and passionate individual to join our organization as the Clinical Biochemistry Team Manager at our essential services laboratory located at Southend University Hospital. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for leading the highly skilled and motivated team in the Clinical Biochemistry section. With your exceptional leadership skills, you will inspire your team to deliver accurate and timely results and ensure that our laboratory continues to meet the highest standards of excellence in healthcare.

This is an acute hospital medical laboratory analysing approximately 325,000 clinical biochemistry samples per year. The LIMS is Clinisys. The main analyser platforms are Beckman Coulter, backed up with Roche. The repertoire is routine but includes immunoassays, spectrophotometry, xanthochromia. We are exploring options for Vitamin D, PTH, PLGF1 and NSE. There are equivalent team managers for haematology and transfusion, with whom you will work closely. You will report to a laboratory manager who works across two acute hospitals. Primary care, outpatient samples and specialist work are all analysed offsite at a large hub laboratory. The biomedical staff mainly rotate between sites and support staff rotate between disciplines. You need to provide leadership in this fast-paced environment.

You will ensure effective management of the clinical biochemistry section, which operates around the clock. It offers a one-hour turnaround time to acute users and two hours for inpatients. You will manage staffing, equipment and consumables, providing highly specialised knowledge and experience of clinical biochemistry analyser platforms and associated equipment. A thorough understanding of process flow is required. You will need to be conversant with the main laboratory information management system, and with middle-ware packages. There is a quality management system to ISO 15189, within which you will be required to operate, particularly getting involved in audit and the investigation of adverse occurrences. The role includes a considerable commitment to providing training in clinical biochemistry at all levels. In the longer-term, you are likely to be expected to rotate between laboratory sites and job roles, including the coordination of information technology, training and quality.

Responsibilities:

• Organise and manage a team of Biomedical Scientists, Junior staff and Support staff performing Biomedical analyses and processes, managing workload processing to comply with both Quality Standards and Key Performance Indicators.
• Maintain the standards of conduct required by the Healthcare Professions Council (HCPC) as a registered Biomedical Scientist.
• Provide expert technical advice to clinicians as to the appropriateness of tests, timescales and scientific guidance as required.
• Have expert analytical and technical knowledge to perform and manage specialist analytical procedures.
• Ensure compliance with all policies as required by regulatory directives, accreditation bodies and local management.
• Produce and manage Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Manage the introduction of new technologies/processes and to maximise the benefits accrued.
• Be responsible for External and Internal Quality Assurance in area of responsibility.
• Ensure all documentation required for Quality Management System is recorded and maintained.
• Communicate efficiently, courteously and with clarity at all times.
• Plan and organise audits and audit calendar.
• Chair/lead and/or participate in Technical, Training Quality, Audit and Management meetings as required.
• Utilise the laboratory LIMS, Q-Pulse quality monitoring system and other application software according to authorised protocols.
• Plan and prioritise work allocations, training plans, for both yourself and junior staff.
• Provide management, training and professional leadership to staff in your area of responsibility.
• Report and investigate all incidents and adverse events entering the information in the CAPA module of Q-pulse in a timely manner.
• Observe safety regulations and attend mandatory fire, manual handling and other courses as required.
• Ensure that all equipment within area of work is maintained and operated as per SOP’s.

Qualifications and experience:

• HCPC registered as a Biomedical Scientist.
• Experience of managing a small team.
• MSc/FIBMS/IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or equivalent, in a relevant subject.
• Able to work across three different sites in a 24-7 work environment if required.
• Able to work with a high degree of accuracy and numeracy; good interpretive and problem-solving skills.
• Thorough knowledge of clinical biochemistry manual and automated techniques and practices.

About Us: SYNLAB UK & Ireland work closely with clinicians, hospitals, occupational health providers and clinical researchers to deliver comprehensive pathology services. We thrive in diverse environments, which is mirrored in our workforce, clients, customers, suppliers, communities, and partners. We believe that an inclusive workplace culture is essential for attracting and retaining talented individuals, and for building a sustainable, high-performing workforce.