Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Responsibility and accountability

Responsible for:

• External Quality Assurance (EQA) membership of the department and monitoring its performance, ensuring External Quality Assurance material is handled appropriately by relevant staff

• Maintaining the Quality Standards as laid down by ISO15189 UKAS and transition to ISO2022 standards

• The compiling, production, review and implementation of departmental protocols and standard operating procedures in accordance with UKAS and HTA standards, legislative and NHS regulatory/ legislative frameworks principally using Q Pulse
• Compiling quality objectives and annual management review
• Correct and secure storage of documentation
• Ensuring that all reagents / consumables / equipment used for the provision of pathology services are checked and monitored according to UKAS guidelines
• Liaison with a wide range of contacts in other areas of the hospital and external agencies
• Assessment, evaluation of new procedures / reagents across Pathology including COSHH and Risk Assessments and their implementation
• Design and undertaking of audits across the range of procedures, protocols and activities within pathology and in conjunction with other departments in the trust, analyse report, act and implement the results
• Performing and preparing for staff development review for departmental staff
• Work planning and the allocation of staff within the department including recruitment, professional supervision and appraisal and performance management, liaising with senior laboratory and divisional management as appropriate
• Ensuring staff training is performed – including attendance / performance of mandatory training as appropriate and maintenance of attendance records
• Ensuring staff competency/training logs are reviewed regularly and kept up to date
• Supervision of biomedical scientists and medical laboratory assistants
• Ensuring user maintenance is performed on departmental equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and departmental protocols
• Identifying equipment for replacement and the testing/assessment and recommendations as to possible / preferred replacement
• Overall stock control within the department
• Ordering and authorising consumable purchasing up to £5,000 per transaction
• Troubleshooting procedures and equipment when expected results are not achieved
• Maintenance of a safe working environment with Health and Safety legislation, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health and Risk Assessments