Head of Microbiology

Job description

Job responsibilities

Head of Department - Microbiology

Location: TDL North West London

Reporting to: Consultant Head of Department

Overall Job Purpose:

The post holder will act as the Departmental Manager and an independent expert practitioner as defined by the Biomedical Scientist board of the Health Professions Council. The post holder is responsible for the delivery and continued development of a comprehensive range of scientific and support services within Clinical Microbiology (comprising Bacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology, Virology, Serology, Reception and Sterilisation).

With laboratories at Northwick Park hospital the post holder is responsible for the laboratory service across the Trust and that provided on behalf of the Health Protection Agency.

The post holder is responsible to the Consultant Head of Department for the management of

• Non Clinical Staffing establishment
• Capital resources
• Department Budget
• Training of non Clinical staff
• Health & Safety
• Quality
• Service delivery
• Microbiology Laboratory Information System database

The post holder is also required to provide managerial support to the Infection Control Team.

In conjunction with Consultant staff, they will initiate, implement and review strategic development and Departmental policy.

The post holder is required to liaise with other managers within Pathology, with senior clinicians and managers across the Trust, staff from departments such as Human Resources, Finance and Procurement, other healthcare professionals, external agencies, suppliers and their agents, patients and their representatives. The post holder will be required to represent Clinical Microbiology, The Health Protection Agency and Pathology at Trust wide and external meetings.

The post holder will exercise autonomy within professional and managerial boundaries. They will be involved in setting priorities, initiating developments, overseeing audit and training across the team.

Job Summary

The role has overall responsibility for:

• Management and daily operation of the North West London Microbiology Department.
• Exercising appropriate supervision of all activities within the Microbiology Department.
• Ensuring all documented procedures are implemented and maintained.
• Establishing and maintaining the highest professional and technical standards in the department.
• Working to establish and maintain standard operating procedures between NWLH and TDL processes.
• Working in the interests of The Doctors Laboratory and NWLH NHS Trust to provide a routine clinical service to NWLH Foundation Trust and to The Doctors Laboratory.
• Ensuring appropriate levels of administrative support within the Department.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in Biomedical Science
• Registration with the Health Profession Council as a Biomedical Scientist
• MSc Biomedical Science (or relevant subject) or equivalent qualification/experience.
• Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Higher Specialist Diploma in Medical Microbiology or equivalent qualification/experience

Experience

Essential

• At least five years at the level of Chief Biomedical Scientist, practicing in Clinical Microbiology.

Practical Skills

Essential

• Specialist Clinical Microbiology techniques.
• Interpretation and technical validation of diagnostic laboratory results.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Numerate.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Flexible, highly motivated, effective team player; methodical, ability to understand and meet targets and deadlines, able to learn and assimilate new information.
• Ability to communicate appropriately and professionally to staff/people at different levels
• Ability to work autonomously and under pressure in a busy environment.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

The Doctors Laboratory

Address

Watford Road

Harrow

Middlesex

HA1 3UJ

Employer's website

https://www.tdlpathology.com/ (Opens in a new tab)