Operational Manager Biochemistry/Immunology

Job overview

The Pathology Department at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust currently has vacancy for an enthusiastic, innovative, quality driven, Biochemistry Operational Manager to lead a dynamic Biochemistry department. Our modern and well-equipped department processes more than 7 million diagnostic tests per annum on state of the art analytical platforms.

Applications are invited from applicants who are suitably qualified and have HCPC registration. The Biochemistry department is an IBMS accredited training laboratory which has state of the art pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical automated systems.

The post holder will lead a team of Clinical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Biomedical Support Workers delivering a high-quality Pathology service based on the effective use of the Quality Management Service.

The post holder will have direct operational responsibility within the Blood Science Department for the delivery of the Biochemistry/Immunology service and will support the operational management of Haematology and Blood Transfusion in the absence of that departmental Operational Manager.

This role involves being the professional lead specialist in their area, responsible for providing expert advice and support to service users.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will implement the Trust and Directorate management strategic plans through effective teamwork, planning, people and resource management.

The post holder will be expected to provide professional management, leadership, development and direction to Biomedical Scientist Junior Managers (Team Leaders), Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Biomedical Support Workers.

The post holder will be the primary departmental interface with suppliers and will be responsible for managing equipment, stock and supplier training, as well as problem-solving and troubleshooting issues affecting the delivery of the service.

The post holder is responsible for ensuring that the department obtains and maintains ISO 15189 accreditation.

The post holder will align their values with that of the Pathology department and the wider Trust and ensure the department continues to support innovation and quality improvement.

The post holder will be lead for at least one pan-pathology discipline – e.g. Health & Safety, Training

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder is required to: -

1. The post holder is responsible for ensuring that UKAS Standards for ISO15189 accreditation, HSE and all other relevant regulatory requirements are met and  maintained.

2. Communicate in a manner that is consistent with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.

3. Represent their department at the Operational Managers Meeting and Pathology Governance Meeting.

4. Attend and manage all meetings as directed in the Operational Manager – Roles and Responsibilities document.

5. Attend monthly operational meetings with the Deputy Head of Pathology (and Head of Pathology if required).

6. Keep accurate and complete records of activities and communications consistent with legislation, relevant regulations, policies and procedures.

7. Communicate with people in a form and manner that: -

• Is consistent with their level of understanding, culture, background and preferred ways of communicating
• Is appropriate to the purpose of the communication and the context in which it is taking place
• Encourages the effective participation of all involved

8. Provide feedback to other workers on their communication at appropriate times.

9. Manage the dissemination of approved departmental information and advice to other healthcare professionals, patients and the public. Refer on to appropriate specialist’s requests for information outside their area of responsibility.

10. Deal sensitively with complaints referred from service users.

11. Maintain good work relations with all members of staff, and to promote effective teamwork.

12. Treat everyone in the course of their duties as employees of Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust with dignity, courtesy and respect.

13. On a regular basis review and update Change Controls

14. As a minimum, review and update the department’s non-conformances at least twice weekly to ensure compliance with local processes. Ensuring all quality documentation on the QMS is up to date.

15. Adhere to the directorate’s document control policies and practices.

16. Comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information.

17. Use the Laboratory and appropriate Trust Information Systems according to the authorised protocols.

18. Maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory patient databases including the merging of records as required.

19. Extract scientific and statistical information from the Laboratory Information System to support the management and clinical work of the department.

20. Deputise for the Deputy Head of Pathology or Head of Pathology if required.

21. Attend a monthly meeting with the Pathology Senior Management to discuss budgetary, service provision and compliance.

22. Work closely with clinical colleagues in the department to resolve issues affecting service quality and to implement quality improvements and innovations.