Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Technical and Scientific:

• Manage the performance of manual, semi-automated, specialist and fully automated laboratory investigations within a defined service area accurately and efficiently.
• Day to day management of stock control and usage.
• Manage quality control procedures and the processing of quality control material as per established protocols.
• Implement policies for service improvement and propose policy changes that may impact beyond own area.
• Ensure the validation of test results which may be highly specialised, and escalate where appropriate in line with established protocols.
• Responsible for ensuring equipment, including highly specialist equipment, is set up and maintained for others to use, to achieve the optimum instrument performance and maintain a clean and safe working environment.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting in line with established protocols by using judgement on how to proceed during technical failures.
• Participate in Research and Development, clinical trials and equipment testing.

Communication:

• Liaise with the Laboratory Manager, Quality Manager and other Quality Leads across Pathology as required.
• Participate in relevant departmental meetings as agreed with the Laboratory Manager and Quality Manager.
• Communicate to staff the role of the Quality Policy and how the processes described in the Quality Manual will meet these aims.
• Communicate with colleagues about investigations required and explains complex information and results to staff.
• Influence clinicians regarding appropriate test usage and result interpretation.
• Liaise with other departments, agencies and suppliers in relation to tests and services required.
• Communicate with service users, including patients as appropriate.

Information Resources:

• Records and interprets test results, maintains integrity and accuracy of laboratory data, including data entered by others.
• Responsible for laboratory data and creation of highly specialist reports.
• Able to record and collate test results on the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and manual systems in accordance with agreed standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Ensures patient confidentiality and conformance to the General Data Protection Regulation and Caldicott Guidelines.
• Able to use the LIMS, email, internet and automated operating systems; and other software packages as required to create specialist reports.

Quality/Governance/Risk Management:

·         Be responsible for the standard and quality of results ensuring that all activities are undertaken in line with document control and the quality management system.

·         Propose and implement changes to policies and SOPs to ensure compliance with ISO 15189.

·         Design and initiate audits and where appropriate, propose service improvements for own area.

·         When an incident occurs, take immediate appropriate action and ensure incident forms and risk assessments are completed and investigated. Implement recommendations where appropriate. 

Education, Training and Development:

• Supervise and mentor staff providing practical and theoretical training to groups.
• Train staff in quality management including initial support and training in the use of the QMS, as appropriate to staff grade and job roles.
• Participates in the appraisal process in line with current policies.

·         Maintain personal appropriate level of training, competency and continued professional development.

·         Maintain registration with Health and Care Professions Council.

Leadership and line management responsibilities:

• Manage, lead and co-ordinates the technical day to day activities of the team.
• Be involved in the recruitment and induction of new staff.
• Manage and undertake appraisals in line with current policies.
• Manage the team in line with HR policies e.g. performance, attendance and disciplinary.
• Manage resources and be responsible for ensuring the timely ordering of supplies for area of work.
• To deputise for the Lab Manager with support from other departmental managers as appropriate.

Health and Safety:

• Work in a safe manner, in accordance with Trust and laboratory safety policies, using protective equipment and other control measures required.
•    Work safely with corrosive, flammable and other hazardous chemicals and gases.
• Use equipment in a safe and responsible manner.
• Report accidents/incidents and near misses according to the laboratory/Trust protocol.
• Report safety non-compliances from internal audits to the Laboratory Manager for action.
• Investigate and report adverse incidents related to training activities.
• Ensure health, safety and welfare is afforded priority over other issues and demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare regarding self, staff and visitors.
• Report all accidents/incidents or near misses, dangerous situations or shortcomings in health and safety training instructions.

 Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co-operate with the Trust on any matters of health and safety.

Other responsibilities:

The post-holder will be expected to participate in the delivery of specific duties and/or specialised responsibilities in line with the banding of the post.  These responsibilities will be agreed with the post holder, will be subject to regular review and may be amended at any time with the post holder’s agreement. These responsibilities may be associated with specialised roles.