Pathology Support Unit Manager
MKUH staff scored highest for ‘I look forward to coming to work’ (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free refreshments
- Great flexible working opportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job overview
Pathology Support Unit Manager
Department: Pathology - Blood Science (Pathology Support Unit)
Full-Time, Band 7 £46,148 - £52,809 per annum
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
We are seeking someone to take a lead role in our Pathology Support Unit. You will be the Department Manager ensuring that the Pathology Reception area is a functional interface between service users and the laboratory, lead in the development of a fully integrated pathology reception service, be responsible for the organisation and training of a team of dedicated Health Science Assistants and Phlebotomy staff, and the test referral processes performed by the team.You will also ensure the service delivered is responsive to clinical requirement, operates within budgetary constraint and perform monitoring of all activity.
For further information, please contact Grant Barker, Blood Science Manager at [email protected] or 01908 995830.
Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor this role at this current time.
Interview date: 28th March 2025
Main duties of the job
This role required the holder to be the lead for the Pathology Support Unit (PSU) including managing the staff and processes within it. The post holder will establish the pathology reception area as a functional interface between the users and laboratory. The post involves participation in and organisation of training and supervision of staff. The post holder will:
- manage change in the ways that the sample reception service is provided to improve that service, including creating a single cohesive unit.
- manage the referral process of all Blood Science specimens requiring specialised analysis, assists in monitoring reference supplier performance and management of the receipt of those results facilitating post analytical activity for referred investigations.
PSU is also responsible for the pathology facilitated phlebotomy service to Acute Trust clinical locations. The Pathology Support Manager is responsible for delivery of this service to ensure it is responsive to clinical requirements within budgetary constraints; monitor phlebotomy activity and staff performance; produce reports providing assurance of service assurance of service delivery and that lead to service improvement.
Working for our organisation
"We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute"
MKUH staff scored highest for ‘I look forward to coming to work’ (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible working opportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities- Develop a fully integrated pathology reception service, providing a single first point of contact for all pathology service users.
- Manage the change required to move from separate receptions employing staff from different departments to a single section and workforce, including establishing and maintaining rotas and work processes to ensure an efficient service
- Provide leadership and motivation to a team of Healthcare Science Support and Phlebotomy staff.
- Ensure all staff in the Pathology Support Unit and those providing the Pathology phlebotomy services are trained and competent to perform their roles. Ensuring records for staff are maintained.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices. We promote an inclusive workforce and encourage applications from applicants from all backgrounds.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria- Understanding of specialist healthcare science activities
- Educated to Master’s Degree or equivalent level (Level 7) in relevant subject matter (e.g. Science) or knowledge acquired through training to an equivalent level
- Knowledge of Microsoft 365 Business Applications
- Health and safety legislation/procedures
- Understanding of Clinical Governance and its implications for service, quality and audit
- Knowledge Risk Management strategy
- The role of Pathology in an NHS Foundation Trust
- Knowledge of Change Management
- Awareness of the clinical implications of pre analytical errors
- Management qualification e.g. IBMS Cert of Expert Practice in Leadership & Management
- Understanding of all areas of the pathology service
Experience
Essential criteria- Line Management including team leading, absence management, Annual Joint Review & PDRs, staff rostering.
- Experience of specialist and routine science activity in healthcare laboratories.
- Use of Microsoft 365 Business Applications
- Success in working collaboratively across professions and services
- Use of laboratory information system (LIMS), EPR/NPEX order comms system development.
- Demonstrable success in planning and managing change
- Investigating/Managing complaints and/or incidents.
- Self-Inspection in an auditor role at a standard required by Medical Laboratory accreditation.
- Training & Competency assessment of staff.
- Risk/COSHH assessment.
- Equipment maintenance & record keeping.
- QMS tool (i.e. QPULSE) document, Incident, Asset and Training management
- Project management
- Managing/monitoring supplier performance.
Skills
Essential criteria- Able to work both in a team and as an individual with and without direction
- Leadership
- Organisational – manage competing priorities. Ability to multitask
- Ability to work in an organised manner and to high standards
- Ability to work with a high level of accuracy and precision
- The ability to problem solve and troubleshoot
- Budget and resource management
- Keyboard/VDU skills
- Dexterous and good hand/eye coordination.
Personal and people development
Essential criteria- Recruitment and selection procedures
- Probationary procedures
- Staff appraisal AJR/PDR
- Training strategy development
- Sickness absence management.
- Performance/capability management.
Communication
Essential criteria- Presentation skills
- Good verbal & written communication in English
- Report and SOP writing.
- Customer service skills.
- Effective meeting Chair
Specific requirements
Essential criteria- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Able to perform all necessary PSU roles required.
- Able to support 7day laboratory service during unsocial hours if required.
- Able to work 12 hours shifts if required.
- Able to work both within a team and as a lone worker
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.