Job summary
Section Lead in Haematology
Department: Blood Sciences - Haematology/Blood Transfusion
Band 7
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
An opportunity has arisen within this busy Pathology service to join the Haematology team in Blood Sciences. You will be part of a dedicated team of healthcare professionals who deliver a high quality service that is responsive to patient requirements.
Awareness of the requirements for compliance with the ISO15189 standards is a key requirement for this role. We look to continually improve our services for our patients and are therefore looking for staff with the right attitude who will work with us to achieve this.
We are looking for a competent and versatile person with an absolute attention to detail. The successful candidate must hold an IBMS accredited degree in Biomedical Science, further postgraduate qualifications and ideally have previous experience as a section lead in haematology.
Pathology and Blood Sciences have had major investment in equipment and refurbishment with the implementation of a Sysmex XN9000 track (2016), a Bio-Rad Variant II for Haemoglobinopathy screening (2019) and Ortho vision analysers in Blood Transfusion (2017).
In 2021, Haematology introduced two ACL TOP 550 analysers for coagulation sample processing and two Cube 30 Touch analysers for ESR. The department also has a GeneXpert for FV Leiden/Prothrombin gene mutation detection.
Main duties of the job
The Haematology laboratory at MKUH provides results for FBC, ESR, Glandular fever, G6PD screening, malaria screens and morphology. In terms of coagulation testing, we perform routine clotting tests on the ACL TOP 550 in addition to factor assays (VIII, IX, XI, XII, II, V, VII and X), Lupus screening, thrombophilia, FV Leiden Prothrombin Gene, anti Xa and DOAC screening. Haemoglobinopathy screening is performed on the Bio Rad Variant II and we are considered a high risk area for Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia.
The successful candidate would be expected to provide day to day management of the haematology laboratory, ensuring that staff, equipment and materials are supported to deliver a high quality service. They would support the highly skilled team of biomedical scientist and associate practitioners in their roles, adhering to the UKAS ISO 15189 standard. This year we will be assessed against the 2022 standard and the successful candidate will be expected to have a good knowledge of the requirements for accreditation. The laboratory is also an IBMS training laboratory.
We have committed leadership who engage our staff, listen to innovative ideas, and involve our people in the challenges and improvements that our organisation faces. Continuing professional and personal development is encouraged and supported.
About us
MKUH staff scored highest for 'I look forward to coming to work' (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Leadership/Management
Lead/manage the section to achieve operational goals, organisational objectives and the requirements of service users.
Deputise for the Haematology Operations Manager as required.
Provide line management for Biomedical Scientist and support staff within the section; leading and motivating staff to deliver optimal performance.
Review staff capability including staff appraisal and absence management to improve staff performance.
Clinical/Scientific/Technical
Supervise and participate in the examination of clinical specimens in accordance with laboratory policies and procedures, including interpretation of results, in an efficient, effective and safe manner.
Provide advice and interpretation of laboratory investigations to healthcare professionals as required or for referral to specialist medical and scientific for clinical advice.
Training & Education
Provide leadership for training and education activity within the laboratory and represent the laboratory on the Pathology Training & Development Committee.
Develop and maintain training programs for all laboratory staff.
Assist the Operations Manager to ensure that the IBMS training requirements for Biomedical Support Staff, Pre-Registration and Post Registration are met.
Quality Management
Liaise with the laboratory Quality Officer (QO) in support of the Operations Manager to ensure maintenance of the Quality Management System.
Produce and maintain documentation to standards as required by accreditation/regulatory bodies under the authority of the Pathology Quality Manager (QM) and Operational Lead.
Professional
Be personally responsible for obtaining and maintaining HCPC state registration.
Take all necessary measures to keep up to date with CPD in the discipline.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Leadership/Management
Lead/manage the section to achieve operational goals, organisational objectives and the requirements of service users.
Deputise for the Haematology Operations Manager as required.
Provide line management for Biomedical Scientist and support staff within the section; leading and motivating staff to deliver optimal performance.
Review staff capability including staff appraisal and absence management to improve staff performance.
Clinical/Scientific/Technical
Supervise and participate in the examination of clinical specimens in accordance with laboratory policies and procedures, including interpretation of results, in an efficient, effective and safe manner.
Provide advice and interpretation of laboratory investigations to healthcare professionals as required or for referral to specialist medical and scientific for clinical advice.
Training & Education
Provide leadership for training and education activity within the laboratory and represent the laboratory on the Pathology Training & Development Committee.
Develop and maintain training programs for all laboratory staff.
Assist the Operations Manager to ensure that the IBMS training requirements for Biomedical Support Staff, Pre-Registration and Post Registration are met.
Quality Management
Liaise with the laboratory Quality Officer (QO) in support of the Operations Manager to ensure maintenance of the Quality Management System.
Produce and maintain documentation to standards as required by accreditation/regulatory bodies under the authority of the Pathology Quality Manager (QM) and Operational Lead.
Professional
Be personally responsible for obtaining and maintaining HCPC state registration.
Take all necessary measures to keep up to date with CPD in the discipline.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist
- BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent in a relevant field
- MSc or equivalent Postgraduate qualification in relevant Biomedical Science field
- Specialist Diploma in Haematology
- Evidence of CPD
- Extensive knowledge ISO 15189:2022
Desirable
- Quality Management qualification
- Management qualification
- Highest Specialist Diploma in Haematology
Experience
Essential
- Post HCPC registration experience as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6) within Haematology/Blood Transfusion
- Participation in 24/7 laboratory service
- Incident/adverse investigation
- Experience as a section lead within Haematology
Desirable
- External assessment by UKAS
- Experience of organizational change
- Experience as a lead in quality audits
Skills
Essential
- Use of QMS tools i.e. QPULSE
- QMS auditor skills
- Organisational skills - able to manage conflicting priorities and organise workload of others.
- Analytical - able analyse complex laboratory data and provide appropriate advice to service users
- Report production - accurate & timely
- Use of Microsoft Office & spreadsheets
Personal and people development
Essential
- Proven leadership/management
- Direct staff effectively
- Motivational skills
- Self-motivated
- Commitment to service improvement
Communication
Essential
- Ability to communicate with different staff grades & professions internally & externally
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist
- BSc Biomedical Science or equivalent in a relevant field
- MSc or equivalent Postgraduate qualification in relevant Biomedical Science field
- Specialist Diploma in Haematology
- Evidence of CPD
- Extensive knowledge ISO 15189:2022
Desirable
- Quality Management qualification
- Management qualification
- Highest Specialist Diploma in Haematology
Experience
Essential
- Post HCPC registration experience as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6) within Haematology/Blood Transfusion
- Participation in 24/7 laboratory service
- Incident/adverse investigation
- Experience as a section lead within Haematology
Desirable
- External assessment by UKAS
- Experience of organizational change
- Experience as a lead in quality audits
Skills
Essential
- Use of QMS tools i.e. QPULSE
- QMS auditor skills
- Organisational skills - able to manage conflicting priorities and organise workload of others.
- Analytical - able analyse complex laboratory data and provide appropriate advice to service users
- Report production - accurate & timely
- Use of Microsoft Office & spreadsheets
Personal and people development
Essential
- Proven leadership/management
- Direct staff effectively
- Motivational skills
- Self-motivated
- Commitment to service improvement
Communication
Essential
- Ability to communicate with different staff grades & professions internally & externally
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
