Job summary
Applications are invited for the above post in the Microbiology Department at Warrington Hospital. The Microbiology Department provide an efficient and committed response to provide the Trust with timely test results that directly impact the patient journey. The department has recently successfully completed a UKAS assessment with the following noted by the assessor:
"A key strength of the service is a very positive working environment, with close cooperation between laboratory staff and Consultants who work together to deliver an efficient local service which makes good use of traditional and modern methodologies and is responsive to the clinical needs of the hospital."
We operate a 7-day service covering core hours of 08:00 - 20:00 Monday-Friday and 09:00-17:20 Saturday and Sunday. The department is an IBMS approved Training Laboratory for pre and post registration training and holds UKAS accreditation to ISO:15189:2012.
The Microbiology department processes approximately 235,000 samples per year and provides a comprehensive and high-quality service to both hospital and community patients.
The laboratory covers bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, molecular and serology and is equipped with a wide range of analysers including EntericBio, FilmArray, GeneXpert, VIDAS 3, BactAlert, VITEK2, VITEK MS and UF5000.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the Microbiology service and will have delegated responsibility in the absence of the Microbiology Service Manager. The post holder will take the role of Quality Lead for the department and be responsible for maintaining the laboratory's UKAS accreditation to ISO 15189:2012 and the transition to ISO 15189:2022.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead an innovative department that embraces new technologies and working practices in order to deliver high quality patient care.
About us
Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a caring and compassionate organisation that is both ambitious and innovative. We are committed to delivering the best outcomes for our patients and providing a positive experience of our staff. We aspire to be outstanding for our patients, our communities and our staff and are committed to being a great place to receive healthcare, work and learn.
Straddling the neighbouring boroughs of Warrington and Halton we are part of the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care system. Our hospitals are ideally situated to meet the growing healthcare needs of the 330,000 population of these boroughs.
Warrington Hospital is home to our emergency, critical care and maternity services, Halton Hospital is focused on elective procedures and the Runcorn Urgent Treatment Centre, although many services are offered at both sites and in community hubs.
A CQC-rated 'good' organisation with 'outstanding' features, we are working towards university hospital status, having achieved teaching hospital status in 2019.
Our workforce of nearly 5,000 across both sites comprises more than 50 nationalities. We strive to be an equal, diverse and inclusive employer, which is recognised as a pioneer in its equality, diversity and inclusion work. The Trust is proud to have achieved numerous external accreditations and is working towards achieving the Anti-Racist Organisation Framework, recognising the importance of anti-racism in all that we do.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To manage and lead on the work in the Microbiology Department in the processing and analysing of all samples in accordance with agreed standards as set by United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) under the strategic direction of the Microbiology Service Manager.
To liaise with the Microbiology Service Manager in the overall management of the Department.
To supervise and process work as an HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist, maintaining professional competence to provide a diagnostic and support service to all service users.
To take the role of Quality Lead for the department and be responsible for maintaining the laboratorys UKAS accreditation to ISO 15189:2012 and the transition to ISO 15189:2022.
*** Please see the attached document for a full Job Description and Person Specification
Job description
Job responsibilities
To manage and lead on the work in the Microbiology Department in the processing and analysing of all samples in accordance with agreed standards as set by United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) under the strategic direction of the Microbiology Service Manager.
To liaise with the Microbiology Service Manager in the overall management of the Department.
To supervise and process work as an HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist, maintaining professional competence to provide a diagnostic and support service to all service users.
To take the role of Quality Lead for the department and be responsible for maintaining the laboratorys UKAS accreditation to ISO 15189:2012 and the transition to ISO 15189:2022.
*** Please see the attached document for a full Job Description and Person Specification
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC registration
- MSc or equivalent
- Management qualification
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 5 years' experience in Microbiology at a Senior BMS level
Desirable
- Proven management ability
Skills
Essential
- Highly developed communication skills (written & oral).
- Developed interpersonal skills.
- Well-developed computer literacy & skills
- Highly developed technical skills
- Full knowledge of theoretical and practical laboratory procedures
- Ability to work on own initiative and liaise with other scientific staff and service users
Desirable
- Participated in service development and implementation of change
Specific role requirements
Essential
- Able to handle and work with biological material
Physical skills
Essential
- Able to undertake a variety of manual and automated techniques and demonstrate a high level of accuracy across a variety of techniques.
Mental effort
Essential
- Able to deal with frequent interruptions to workflow and implement and monitor business continuity plans as required
- Able to work in an unpredictable work pattern.
- Ability to deal with diverse and complex variety of equipment, reagent, and procedures.
- Ability to deal with frequent interruptions (necessitating alteration in working).
Emotional effort
Essential
- Able to handle and work with biological material, sometimes of a sensitive nature.
Working conditions
Essential
- Able to work with chemicals, solvents, and biological material
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC registration
- MSc or equivalent
- Management qualification
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 5 years' experience in Microbiology at a Senior BMS level
Desirable
- Proven management ability
Skills
Essential
- Highly developed communication skills (written & oral).
- Developed interpersonal skills.
- Well-developed computer literacy & skills
- Highly developed technical skills
- Full knowledge of theoretical and practical laboratory procedures
- Ability to work on own initiative and liaise with other scientific staff and service users
Desirable
- Participated in service development and implementation of change
Specific role requirements
Essential
- Able to handle and work with biological material
Physical skills
Essential
- Able to undertake a variety of manual and automated techniques and demonstrate a high level of accuracy across a variety of techniques.
Mental effort
Essential
- Able to deal with frequent interruptions to workflow and implement and monitor business continuity plans as required
- Able to work in an unpredictable work pattern.
- Ability to deal with diverse and complex variety of equipment, reagent, and procedures.
- Ability to deal with frequent interruptions (necessitating alteration in working).
Emotional effort
Essential
- Able to handle and work with biological material, sometimes of a sensitive nature.
Working conditions
Essential
- Able to work with chemicals, solvents, and biological material
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).
