Senior Biomedical Scientist Microbiology. Quality/Deputy Manager

Job description

Job responsibilities

Daily supervise routine and specialised diagnostic investigations on potentially infectious patient and environmental samples using manual and automated techniques.

Frequently handles potentially highly infectious and known highly infectious material in order to perform subjective interpretation of diagnostic investigations and be responsible for the validity of results.

Daily supervises and co-ordinates the day-to-day operations of a section or sections of the laboratory, solving complex analytical problems to ensure a high standard of work that is completed in a safe and timely manner.

Knows how to proceed in the event of a technical / analytical non-conformance and when to inform the Laboratory Manager

Completes non-conformance record forms and submits to the Senior BMS/Quality Lead and / or Laboratory Manager.

Daily record and report results, in electronic form and / or verbally, to persons authorized to receive them. Informs Medical staff of significant / urgent results.

Daily perform technical validation of electronic reports using DSE prior to release to Medical Microbiologists

Frequently perform tasks that include accuracy, precision and the use and maintenance of specialist equipment.

Maintain equipment logs, for the General Bacteriology Section, including maintenance and repair.

Participate in the maintenance and revision of Equipment Standard Operating Procedures.

Frequently offer specialist technical advice to Medical staff, patients and other service users on validity of results including reference ranges, appropriate specimens / sampling and turnaround times.

To participate in induction, training and supervision of AP, MLA, Trainee BMS, Band 5 BMS, Band 6 BMS and other staff and visitors in all relevant aspects of laboratory work including Health & Safety as directed by the Laboratory Manager.

To develop and maintain the Departmental Competency Assessment schemes for Trainee BMS, Band 5 BMS, Band 6 & 7 BMS, AP, MLA staff in collaboration with the Laboratory Manager.

To participate in own competency assessment scheme.

Participate in personally and perform Trust Personal Development Review (PDR) for AP, MLA, Trainee BMS, Band 5 BMS and Band 6 BMS staff and inform the Chief BMS of any training and development needs.

Monitor stocks of kits, reagents and consumables and report supply deficiencies to the appropriate AP and / or Senior BMS.

To be responsible for the maintenance of the Quality Management System including, internal and external quality control and assurance in accordance with UKAS, HPC, and other Accreditation bodies.

To be a nominated Microbiology Audit Officer and conduct audit of vertical, horizontal and examination audits in accordance with the Laboratory Audit Programme.

To co-operate with the Laboratory Manager in the evaluation and implementation of new equipment and Standard Operating Procedures as required.

Develop, maintain, and review Standard Operating Procedures in collaboration with the Head BMS.

To participate in Clinical Trials / Research and Development as directed by a Consultant Microbiologist.

Present scientific, technical data and audit data at staff meetings using appropriate communication tools.

To assist in the recruitment, selection and induction of staff within line management responsibility.

Knows how to respond to a major incident in accordance with Trust Policy.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Co-Deputy Laboratory Manager

To deputise for Laboratory Manager in their absence including authorising staff leave and deputising for Laboratory Managers budgetary requirement in their absence.

To be involved in the procurement process

To take a lead in the recruitment processes.

In collaboration with the manager to develop strategical advancements of the department.

To co-ordinate the management of sickness and be involved in HR procedures.

To have responsibility for limited finance and be involved in contract negotiations and tenders. contract award, and waiver submissions.

Quality Manager

Responsible for the system of document control. This includes maintaining an electronic database of the master list of all laboratory policies and procedures, issuing controlled documents, and ensuring that documents are reviewed on the set review date.

Co-ordinate and ensures the Microbiology Audit Programme is adhered to. Is a nominated Microbiology Audit Officer and conducts vertical, horizontal and observational audits

Supervise the programme of Internal Quality Assessment (IQA).

Regularly monitors and signs off non-conformance reports including IQA & External Quality Assessment (EQA) and ensures that appropriate corrective and/or preventative action has been implemented.

Monitor the requirements of the Departments users and ensure that they are reflected within defined quality performance measures.

In collaboration with the Head BMS follows up external and other inspections and ensures and verifies that completion of any corrective actions has been undertaken.

Responsibility for the education and training of all staff in quality principles and practice.

• Prepare reports for the Quality Management Review to include:

  a. Internal audit of the quality management system.

  b. Internal audit of the examination process.

  c. Performance in EQA schemes

  d. Performance in IQA schemes.

  e. Assessment of user satisfaction surveys and complaints.

  f. Assessments by outside bodies e.g. Care Quality Commission.

  g. Non-conformances and the status of corrective and preventative actions.

  Support the Head of Department and Head BMS in the investigation of complaints, and incidents.

  Provide support to senior laboratory staff on quality management matters.

  Attend senior staff meetings and also report on quality matters.

  Convene and Chair the Microbiology Countywide Quality And Accreditation Group.

  In collaboration with the Consultant Head of Department and Head BMS be responsible for the development, maintenance and revision of laboratory procedures to ensure a high standard of work, observing confidentially, safety and data protection in accordance with CPA standards, including maintenance of staff records of training on SOPs.

  Assist the Head BMS in the production of the annual Departmental Training Plan.

  Co-ordinate the production of training and guidance notes that support Standard Operating Procedures and the completion of the IBMS Certificate of Competence Portfolio.

  Technical Service

  In collaboration with the Training Officer, develops, maintains and organises the IQA programme for the General Bacteriology & Virology departments including:

  Preparing spot tests

  Capturing data, collating and analysing results

  Recording and investigating non-conformances including root cause analysis

  Identifying training needs and liaising with the Training Officer

  Monitoring and recording performance and trend analyses

  Preparing monthly reports and communicating results at staff meetings.

  Displays results.

  This job description will be subject to annual review and may be amended as necessary following consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registration with HCPC Biomedical Scientist.
• Fellowship of the IBMS (achieved by either a IBMS approved Masters degree [MSc] or IBMS Fellowship examination route)
• Diploma in Quality Management (or equivalent knowledge acquired through experience and CPD)
• Have or working towards a Management Qualification.

Desirable

• Chartered Scientist

Experience

Essential

• Broad experience in the scientific, technical and managerial aspects of Medical Microbiology at Specialist level for several years
• Experience in Quality Management
• Experience managing staff

Desirable

• Management of Change.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Ongoing participation in CPD and specialist training equivalent to IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiar with Clinical Governance and Risk Management.
• Perform Personal Development Reviews
• Computer literate; must be able to use spreadsheets, databases, and word processing software.
• Working knowledge and understanding of the Standards for UKAS Accreditation

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Assertive but diplomatic.
• Able to work effectively both as part of a team and as an individual.
• Able to work with competing deadlines and manage conflicting demands
• Good leadership and motivational skills
• Ability to organise the laboratory sections on a day-to-day basis including deployment of staff
• Good attention to detail
• Works in an organised manner.

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. 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).

Employer details

Employer name

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

Employer's website

https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)