Microbiology Quality Section Manager

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a band 7 Biomedical Scientist Quality section manager in Microbiology at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire. This role is a job share and you will work closely with the current quality section manager to ensure the department delivers a service compliant to ISO 15189:2022 standards, to ensure we maintain our UKAS accreditation and continue to deliver a high standard of service to our users.

Microbiology is part of Coventry and Warwickshire pathology services (CWPS) which provides pathology services to hospitals and primary care across Coventry and Warwickshire. The Microbiology service is based at the UHCW site.

You will be responsible for the day to day operational management of the department alongside other members of the Microbiology senior team and provide expert Microbiology technical knowledge to staff and service You will be expected to work collaboratively with the Training, performance and IT leads for Microbiology.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated, flexible individual who can lead a team within our Network and drive improvement to deliver a high-quality, first-class Microbiology service to our users.

The successful candidate will be an integral part of a strong supportive management team for Microbiology across the Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology services network.

1. Daily manage and monitor staff in the performance of routine and specialised diagnostic services on patient and environmental samples containing potentially infectious material including blood, urine, faeces, sputum and tissue specimens using complex and highly specialised techniques to exacting medical and scientific standards according to standard operating procedures. Perform such diagnostic tests when necessary.
2. Design and plan departmental rotas, allocate and reallocate work schedules for themselves and the team and determine work priorities to meet service needs.
3. Support the Department Manager in the planning, development, co-ordination and evaluation of the pathology service, and deputise for the Pathology Department Manager as required.
4. Record, and validate results when required. Interpret complex results, and authorise individual reports from the team in electronic form and / or verbally to persons authorised to receive them e.g. Medical, nursing and non-medical staff.
5. Is proficient in the use of the Quality Management system, ensuring the effective development and/or management of all controlled documentation, non-conformities and audit reports within the system.

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence® designated organisation – please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence ® - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

• Co-ordinates external and internal quality assurance schemes and supervises compliance with the departmental audit schedules, reviews findings, and implements service changes and improvements where necessary.
• Manages the propagation and maintenance of all laboratory aspects of the ISO/CPA standards and MHRA requirements, HTA regulations, HSE requirements and any other statutory regulations, and ensure the delivery of services in line with the principles of these standards and requirements throughout CWPS.
• Ensures quality assurance procedures are adhered to and all necessary internal records are maintained. Collates data for and leads departmental meetings and proposes and implements change as appropriate, ensuring clear lines of communication at all times.
• Manages and monitors maintenance on routine and complex equipment to ensure accuracy and precision of results. Provides specialist support for staff to troubleshoot faults and take appropriate action to maintain the patient service.
• Takes responsibility within the laboratory for achieving and maintaining all local and national performance targets. Management of KPIs (key performance indicators) including prioritising work to achieve turnaround times, managing staff attendance, and attaining and sustaining PDR and mandatory training compliance.
• Collect, interpret and collate in an agreed format, information when required for presentation e.g. for departmental Operational Board reports and quality meetings
• Propose, oversee and develop the implementation of new techniques, equipment and working practices including supporting any management of change processes which require implementation.
• Provide and receive specialist departmental knowledge, to and from staff and service users.
• Manage and maintain stocks of materials, reagents, consumables and equipment, ensuring the most economical use of non-pay resources, identifying areas of cost improvement.
• Deal with difficult and complicated telephone enquiries, such as complaints, record information and complete follow up reports when necessary

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

Person specification

Qualifications

• See supporting documents

• See supporting documents

Experience

• See supporting documents

Knowledge

• See supporting documents

Skills

• See supporting documents

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• See supporting documents

To ensure that we provide world-class patient care, UHCW recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values and Behaviours in their everyday life. Therefore, if you are invited to interview, you will be undertaking a Values Based Interview/Assessment, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

The Supporting Information Section in your application should therefore reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated Behaviours. You will be expected to provide us with examples from work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviour.

Where a post has an overwhelming response, this Trust may use random selection in order to reduce numbers to interview, any disabled applicants will automatically be guaranteed an interview and will be exempt from this process.

This data will be transferred using NHS Electronic Staff Record and third-party systems via an automated process and only used for the purposes of obtaining and maintaining accurate employment records, should you be appointed to the post.

UHCW NHS Trust, by virtue of its Green Plan, is committed to ensuring that the way we provide services minimises the impact on the environment and the future health of the public e.g. zero waste to landfill, reducing our carbon footprint and increasing our recycling and reuse percentages.

If you are successful at interview you will receive a conditional offer of employment and we’ll ask you for information so that we can carry out pre-employment checks. You must successfully complete all pre-employment checks to progress to a final unconditional offer.

We must confirm the identity of our staff and their right to work in the United Kingdom. We will ask you to submit proof of your identity and right to work documents via a secure digital platform approved by the Home Office, named TrustID. Alternatively, you may be asked to attend our office with original documents.

Depending on you level of exposure with patients you may be required to undertake a Standard or Enhanced DBS. The cost of this check will be charged to you and will be deducted from your salary over the first 3 months of employment at the current rate.

All correspondence will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk/SPAM folders