Team Leader Biomedical Scientist

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

With a professional approach whilst working within the parameters of Trust Policies and departmental Standard Operating Procedures undertake the following key job responsibilities under the direction of the laboratory management team:

Leadership / Management

1. Lead / manage the section to achieve the operational goals and requirements of the service

2. Act as line manager for the Biomedical Scientist and support staff within the section, leading and motivating the team to optimal performance

3. Review and improve staff capability, performance, knowledge, and skills, which will include participating in and performing staff appraisal and sickness absence management

4. Assess, and where appropriate, provide training of staff in section, taking actions to ensure competency levels are adequate. Take an active role in education for quality matters

5. Contribute to the future planning and organisation of the service by acting on and where necessary reporting issues, problems, and trends to senior management.

6. Communicate effectively with team members, service management and external users of the service on quality, clinical, scientific, and technical matters.

7. Participate in the recruitment and selection process for the department.

8. In conjunction with other team leaders, contribute to the overall strategic development of the service.

Clinical / Scientific / Technical

9. Supervise and participate in the examination of clinical specimens in accordance with laboratory policies and procedures, including interpretation of results, in an efficient, effective, and safe manner.

10. Provide advice and interpretation of laboratory investigations to healthcare professionals as required or for referral to specialist medical and scientific for clinical advice

11. Ensure appropriate records and documentation of specimens examined are maintained and ensure laboratory reports are accurate and timely

12. Supervise and where appropriate, perform the operation of departmental equipment including calibration, control, and routine maintenance.

13. Troubleshoot problems arising with equipment and processes ensuring the implementation of backup procedures to ensure service continuity

14. Resolve immediate analytical problems and perform repairs to equipment where appropriate and liaise with manufacturers where repairs cannot be completed in house.

15. Where appropriate, perform the more complex analytical work of the assigned section.

16. Supervise and contribute to the development of laboratory Standard Operating Procedures and carry out regular planned audit and review of the Quality System, SOPs, COSHH assessments and workplace risk assessments, introducing changes as necessary, taking best practice and process redesign into account.

17. Maintain expertise and awareness of current technological and scientific developments in relevant aspects of the discipline.

18. Develop, evaluate, and implement new equipment and procedures within the department.

19. Monitor internal and external quality control results, taking appropriate action to identify and correct problems. To report problems to more senior staff as appropriate.

20. Ensure adequate levels of consumable supplies and other items required by the section are maintained using the appropriate procedures

21. Employ specialist knowledge and technical skills to perform complex analytical techniques and procedures

22. Be responsible for effective stock management of reagents and consumables, ordering and authorising payments for supplies and services up to the departmental agreed limits.

23. Work in close liaison with others within service to show leadership to ensure that other service sections work in a safe, efficient and effective manner.

Service Delivery & Development

24. Continually review performance against KPI’s, proactively addressing areas of concern

25. Assist in the maintenance and development of the Blood Sciences Quality Manual

26. Undertake relevant research both internal and with other NHS and educational organisations to assist with learning, teaching and service development

27. Participate in clinical trials as appropriate and beneficial to service development and provision

28. Ensure the successful delivery of a cost-effective service, implementing changes and improvements where indicated

29. Support individual services in the investigation of complaints and incidents. Ensure that all agreed, follow up actions are taken in accordance with agreed policy and that these are effective.

General

30. To participate in the provision of a reliable high quality analytical service that meets nationally accepted standards (UKAS or equivalent).

31. Participate in clinical and quality system audit and clinical governance.

32. To deputise for the Laboratory Manager as required and perform any other duties covered by the post holder’s competencies after consultation and agreement with the line manager.

33. Liaise with individual service Quality leads to co-ordinate a programme of internal audits against defined quality performance indicators, ensuring continuous quality improvement.

Pathology is at the forefront of the delivery of 21st century healthcare and has a profound impact on an organisation’s ability to deliver high quality, efficient and effective patient care. Changing demographics, rising demand and technological innovation, combined with the findings of Lord Carter’s review, demonstrate the need and potential to improve the quality-of-service provision, whilst streamlining the way in which services are delivered.

As a HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist, the post holder will be a member of the departmental team and assist in the delivery of a quality driven, cost effective, patient focused service consistent with our vision. To provide that service in a manner commensurate with the profession

The post holder will be expected to manage the area while maintaining a high level of scientific knowledge, leading others to perform (and where appropriate performing) specialised analyses of pathological samples using various technologies and reporting the results as appropriate.

We are looking for a leader to work with clinical, scientific and administration staff to lead Leicester Pathology Services to become the best they can be.

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES - see full JD for all duties.