Head of Department - Andrology

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide operational; management and leadership to the TDL Andrology Department. To oversee the performance of routine diagnostic analytical work of the department while complying with and working to all documented procedures in accordance with appropriate accreditation and regulatory bodies e.g. UKAS ISO15189, CQC, HFEA, etc.. To ensure that all service and operational KPIs are consistently met and provide close liaison with service users. This will include the use of monitoring systems, employment of appropriately qualified personnel, provision and operation of equipment, site health and safety, maintenance of laboratory policies, maintenance of the quality management system and all analytical testing.

To include, but not be restricted to, the following duties:

1. To manage day-to-day operations of the TDL Andrology Department.

2. To engage in all duties required for the processing of Andrology tests ensuring that the highest levels of quality and service and contractual turnaround times are maintained.

3. To ensure that all staff adhere to Sonic / TDL Group policies and procedures.

4. To ensure appropriate organisation and performance of all activities; ensure all staff understand contracted KPIs / service standards and the department continually improves on these.

5. Use data from Group systems such as Tableau, Q-pulse, Sonic Learn and Core HR to drive improved performance of services.

6. To ensure that senior management is aware of issues concerning service delivery including shortfall and service pressures; to propose remedial action for identified issues.

7. To implement processes, policy, contracts etc. as required by the TDL Group senior management team.

1. Prepare and provide a monthly report pack on performance and productivity to the TDL senior management.

2. Identify any service failures or issues and ensure that these are dealt with appropriately.

3. Investigate and resolve complaints and incidents and make recommendations as appropriate to ensure continuous improvement of the service.

4. To evaluate the skill mix across whole service and to ensure that appropriate systems are in place for business continuity needs.

5. Oversee staff appointment, supervision and management of training plans such that staff conduct duties in line with required competence, responsibility and job description.

6. To work with the Director of Group Laboratory Operations to ensure staffing rotas are maintained and planned accordingly with correct numbers and grades of staff for uninterrupted service provision.

7. Maintain up to date knowledge of appropriate containment levels as appropriate to service, ensuring compliance with Health and Safety procedures.

8. Ensure continuing improvement of the quality of services

9. To abide by General Data Protection Regulation rules and ensure staff are aware of and abide by them

10. To maintain own professional development and HCPC Registration

Leadership and Communication

1. Have an effective means for communicating with staff and keep records of items discussed in communications and meetings.

2. Participate in and contribute to effective operational, performance and quality meetings as required.

3. Ensure staff annual reviews are undertaken, performance regularly reviewed and shortfalls managed within policy.

4. To form productive relationships with staff, TDL Group customers and colleagues ensuring professionalism is maintained and promoted.

5. Ensure that all departmental records, including those relating to payroll, absence reporting and training are maintained and updated.

6. Provide support and guidance to other service managers within the business including undertaking service reviews and structural changes; provide expert advice to senior management.

7. Responsible for the recruitment and allocation of staff, including review of skill mix and shift patterns in line with business needs.

8. Take appropriate action in line with employment policies to address any conduct or performance issues.

9. Co-ordination, supervision, provision and monitoring of training and continuing professional development of all staff in the department. Ensuring that adequate and timely training is provided to all staff members and competency checks are undertaken.

1. Ensure that mandatory training and competence assessment is carried out in a timely manner by all staff.

2. Lead on change management projects within the area involving staff and processes in accordance with employment policies and statutory requirements.

3. Work closely with the Managers from other departments to ensure an effective patient and sample pathway

4. To ensure sufficient supervision and handover between shifts for uninterrupted service provision.

5. Work closely with the TDL senior management team and input constructively into senior management meetings

Technical and Quality:

1. To perform laboratory procedures as documented.

2. Support and participate in maintaining the Quality Management System, including audits, document control, leading quality initiatives, and ensuring the service is provided in line with UKAS requirements.

3. To ensure the local risk register is maintained and updated within expected timeframes, notifying the Director of Group Laboratory Operations notified of new, high scoring risks

4. To lead in the annual management review of service as required.

5. Ensure that all staff are trained in and assessed as competent in all procedures undertaken.

6. To ensure SOPs, training and competence assessment are reviewed and updated as required

7. To support laboratories maintain accreditation to ISO 15189 (UKAS) Standard.

8. To be fully familiar with the laboratory IT system and its appropriate utilisation in the discharge of your duties. To participate in the data verification procedures of the laboratory for authorization and validation of laboratory results.

9. To be responsible for processing time-scales and turnaround times to the requirements of the company are consistently met.

10. Together with the Clinical Lead, to regularly supervise and review all technical procedures performed within the laboratory, including the establishment and monitoring of effective internal and external Quality Control and Assurance schemes.

11. To take part in effective internal and external Quality Control and Assurance schemes and to be responsible for monitoring staff performance. Taking action to improve performance, where required.

12. To be responsible for managing the staff rota, ensuring an appropriate level of staff attendance at all times. To review shift and working patterns to maximise and match workforce utilisation against service demands.

Ensure administrative duties including booking appointments for patients, preparation of patient rooms, escorting patients to production rooms, providing appropriate information for producing a semen sample, and liaising with patients, doctors and other healthcare professionals are conducted.

2. To liaise with Laboratory Support Services in sourcing and ordering of laboratory equipment and stock as well as managing service contracts with product distributors and manufacturers

3. To calibrate appropriate laboratory equipment and ensuring that all equipment is fit for purpose and schedule maintenance is performed

4. To assist in developing and validating new diagnostic tests where appropriate.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc or equivalent in relevant subject
• Specialist Diploma in relevant discipline or relevant qualification Managerial qualification (e.g. DMS) or equivalent experience
• HCPC Registration
• PhD in a Reproductive Biology field

Managerial

Essential

• Experience in leadership (motivation, teamwork, delegation, change management)
• Experience in staff recruitment, management, retention and performance management
• Experience in managing teams, including setting priorities and addressing performance issues

Personal

Essential

• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to work accurately, neatly and efficiently. Attention to detail is very important.
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Ability to communicate efficiently with other members of the laboratory both verbally and in writing. Able to manage difficult situations.

Experience

Essential

• Previous employment in a similar post or related discipline
• Demonstrated sound laboratory technique
• Proficient in process management
• Able to manage, develop, co-ordinate and provide a complex services Sufficient knowledge to be able to analyse and trouble-shoot complex operational problems.
• Experience in training and managing staff and assessing competence Understanding of Key Performance Indicators and Quality Management Structures

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.

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

The Doctors Laboratory

Address

76 Wimpole Street

London

W1G 9RT

Employer's website

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