Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join as Quality Lead with our friendly, busy team in the Biochemistry and Immunology laboratories. Applicants must have an MSc, or equivalent, in a relevant subject and experience in running UKAS assessments. The post holder will be responsible to the Head Biomedical Scientist for the delivery of the Quality Management System (QMS) within clinical biochemistry and immunology including ensuring compliance with ISO 15189:2022 standards.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work closely with the Pathology Head of Quality, Governance and Risk Management and other discipline Quality leads to achieve efficient and effective patient care within Blood Sciences. They will be responsible for preparing for UKAS assessment visits and will act as the lead contact during the assessment.
Our Pathology services provide a full Haematology, Blood Transfusion, Haemophilia & Thrombosis comprehensive care centre, Microbiology, Clinical Biochemistry, Immunology and Cellular Pathology service to our stakeholders in the region. Our Clinical Biochemistry service teams are located at the William Harvey Hospital (WHH), Kent & Canterbury Hospital (K&C) and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) and support a 24-7 365-day service supporting around 765,000 people in and around East Kent with a variety of complex needs. The specialist immunology laboratory is located at the WHH and provides a service to Kent and Medway.
About us
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with fivehospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in Documents to download.
If you have further queries please dont hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in Documents to download.
If you have further queries please dont hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Expert knowledge and experience of quality systems based on ISO 15189 standards.
- Experience/participation in UKAS accreditation assessment against ISO 15189 standards.
Desirable
- Willingness to gain in-depth knowledge of various IT systems.
Skills and experience
Essential
- Experience in undertaking audits, document control, change control practice, asset management, investigation and management of incidents including implementing corrective and preventive actions (CA/PA).
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Ability to work well in a team.
- Intermediate to advanced use of Microsoft Word and Excel.
Desirable
- Working within a clinical biochemistry/immunology laboratory as a Biomedical Scientist.
- Training and supervising a team.
Personal / professional attributes
Essential
- Ability to work on own initiative to organise workload with competing priorities.
- Ability to produce reports, policies, guidance and best practice advice.
- Experience of organising and chairing meetings.
Desirable
- Project management skills and experience.
Other requirements
Essential
- To be aware of and adhere to the Trust's 'We Care' principles, behaviours and values.
Qualifications and training
Essential
- Master of Science degree (MSc) in a relevant subject or IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or IBMS Fellowship examination or 120 credits in a postgraduate qualification(s) in relevant professional subjects including quality management.
- Current Registration (Health and Care Professions Council or equivalent).
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
Desirable
- Quality Management System qualification in healthcare.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Expert knowledge and experience of quality systems based on ISO 15189 standards.
- Experience/participation in UKAS accreditation assessment against ISO 15189 standards.
Desirable
- Willingness to gain in-depth knowledge of various IT systems.
Skills and experience
Essential
- Experience in undertaking audits, document control, change control practice, asset management, investigation and management of incidents including implementing corrective and preventive actions (CA/PA).
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Ability to work well in a team.
- Intermediate to advanced use of Microsoft Word and Excel.
Desirable
- Working within a clinical biochemistry/immunology laboratory as a Biomedical Scientist.
- Training and supervising a team.
Personal / professional attributes
Essential
- Ability to work on own initiative to organise workload with competing priorities.
- Ability to produce reports, policies, guidance and best practice advice.
- Experience of organising and chairing meetings.
Desirable
- Project management skills and experience.
Other requirements
Essential
- To be aware of and adhere to the Trust's 'We Care' principles, behaviours and values.
Qualifications and training
Essential
- Master of Science degree (MSc) in a relevant subject or IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or IBMS Fellowship examination or 120 credits in a postgraduate qualification(s) in relevant professional subjects including quality management.
- Current Registration (Health and Care Professions Council or equivalent).
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
Desirable
- Quality Management System qualification in healthcare.
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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
