We are looking for a Biomedical Scientist Team Manager to join our Infectious Sciences team at Southwest Pathology Services.
This role would particularly suit an individual who is keen to expand their experience in teaching, mentoring, and operational management, especially if these opportunities are limited within their current role.
They must have strong quality management experience and a proven ability to drive continuous improvement within laboratory quality systems and processes. Someone who can identify opportunities for service improvement, strengthen quality management practices, and support the department in maintaining high standards of compliance and patient care.
Excellent organisational and IT skills are essential, along with the resilience to work effectively within a busy and evolving service. The role involves lone working during evening and weekend shifts, therefore the successful candidate must be confident working independently and making decisions autonomously when required.
Although based within the Infectious Sciences laboratory (including Bacteriology, Parasitology, Virology, Molecular and Mycology), there is a requirement to rotate within all areas, subject to completion of suitable training. There is also an expectation that you will participate in the out-of-hours on-call service, weekend working on rotation and bank holiday rotas.
To be able to rotate through all areas of a Laboratory in Infectious Sciences as required (dependent on qualifications, experience and training), to perform all designated duties in accordance with local working practices, to maintain high Professional standards and conform to Health and Safety regulations.
To perform and interpret routine and specialist Biomedical investigations autonomously to provide patients results within agreed quality standards of service delivery and turnaround times under the supervision of senior staff.
Work independently, implement and propose changes to procedures for own work area. May be a lead specialist.
To continue with personal development through academic and/or practical experience.
To provide professional leadership and training to Basic Grade, Trainee BMS, Associate Practitioners (equivalent grades) and Medical Laboratory Assistants.
To maintain the standards of conduct required by the Health Professions Council to practice as a registered Biomedical Scientist.
To provide technical advice to clinicians as to the appropriateness of tests and timescales.
To assist and carry out duties as directed in Health and Safety, audit, training, incident reporting and quality assurance/quality control
The department operates 7 days per week with rota for weekend working, on-call and bank holidays- all these have pay enhancements.
Formed in 2012, Southwest Pathology Services (SPS) is a joint venture between SYNLAB UK & Ireland and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. The partnership serves a population of around 500,000 and delivers services to the Trust and more than 100 GP practices, delivering on over 9 million tests annually. The department is an IBMS accredited training laboratory and has full UKAS accreditation.
Originally, there was a single site at each hospital with both undertaking similar urgent and non-urgent tests. There is a well developed central ‘hub’ laboratory in Taunton with an ‘essential services laboratory’ at Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital to provide urgent testing.
The department have regular continual professional development seminars and as part of HCPC registration be expected to maintain an up to date CPD portfolio. There is a healthy training budget to allow local/distant attendance at Congress/seminars/symposiums.
All staff commencing on SYNLAB Hospital terms and conditions are subject to a 6-month probationary period and may be entitled to a welcome bonus of £10,000.
Please note that we reserve the right to close any adverts once we have received a sufficient number of applications. If you decide to apply for this post but do not hear back from us within two weeks of your application, please assume that you have not been short-listed on this occasion.
Assist and carry out duties as directed in the following areas:
Train scientific and support staff and access/manage competencies
Organise and conduct appraisals
Develop policies and plan for change implementation
To provide management cover for other Team Managers and Deputy Manager
To chair committees as allocated in areas (but not limited to) Health & Safety, Training or Audit
To participate in Senior Management on-call roster as required.
Participate in and assist with clinical trials, the development of new tests and research & validation of equipment ensuring at all times compliance with all policies as required by regulatory directives, accreditation bodies and local management policies and practices.
To provide technical advice to clinical staff.
To perform and interpret routine and specialist Biomedical investigations and to participate daily in the scientific and technical activities of the laboratory sections
Together with Senior staff help ensure compliance with all policies as required by regulatory directives, accreditation bodies and local management, including;
UKAS
Southwest Pathology Service policies and SOPs
MHRA
NHSCSP
HTA
HFEA
Any other body in area of responsibility
Utilise the laboratory LIMS, Q-Pulse quality monitoring system and other application software according to authorised protocols including assisting in computer data entry in all areas of the laboratory, document review, non-conformance review and quality assurance processes.
Communicate efficiently, courteously and with clarity at all times, whether face to face, telephone or electronic methods referring enquiries to senior staff where appropriate. Matters being communicated may include complex information and/or results.
Attend and participate positively in laboratory and other meetings as directed by Laboratory senior staff.
Communicate efficiently, courteously and with clarity at all times, whether face to face, telephone or electronic methods referring enquiries to senior staff where appropriate. Matters being communicated may include complex information and/or results.
Attend and participate positively in laboratory and other meetings as directed by Laboratory senior staff.
As directed by senior laboratory staff, plan and prioritise work allocations, training plans, audits of both yourself and junior staff, responding appropriately to the needs of routine and urgent activities.
Encourage active participation in continuous professional development and support the introduction of new technologies and / or systems by being a change advocate.
Report all incidents and adverse events to senior staff.
Demonstrate on going competency against training plans and participate positively in CPD (continuous professional development) activities.
Produce and manage Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
Manage the introduction of new technologies/processes and to maximise the benefits accrued
To be responsible for External and Internal Quality Assurance in area of responsibility. Reporting on, and completing corrective actions required to address any areas of poor performance, including, where required, staff performance management.
Ensure all documentation required for Quality Management System is recorded and maintained
Communicate efficiently, courteously and with clarity at all times, whether face to face, telephone or electronic methods referring enquiries to senior staff where appropriate. Matters being communicated may include highly complex information and/or results.
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 including assisting in computer data entry in all areas of the laboratory. Maintaining software systems and updating as required.
Attendance at LIMS user groups as required.
Plan and prioritise work allocations, training plans, for both yourself and junior staff, responding appropriately to the needs of routine and urgent activities.
Provide management, training and professional leadership to staff in your area of responsibility, this includes monitoring their performance against laboratory standards and their training plans.
Report and investigate all incidents and adverse events entering the information in the CAPA module of Q-pulse in a timely manner, conducting Root Cause analysis and remedial action as required
Be proficient in use of ERP system (Axional)
Management of consumables and conduct stocktakes in line with iPP policies
To assist in Clinical trials in areas of responsibility as directed.
Initiate changes in procedures or policies to induce service development
Report all incidents and adverse events to senior staff and enter the information in the CAPA module of Q-pulse in a timely manner.
