Operations Manager

The place to work in pathology

We are looking for top talent to join the UK’s leading and fastest growing pathology company – a scientific organisation with a clinical purpose.

Working in partnership with our service partners, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals, King’s College Hospital and Princess Royal University Hospital we aim to set the standard for the future of pathology.

Job overview

The successful candidate will have an MSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent, HCPC registration, and evidence of CPD activities. Additional qualifications in Molecular Biology are desirable. They should have extensive knowledge of molecular techniques and experience in cellular pathology.

The post-holder will lead a dynamic team of Clinical Scientists, Genetic Technicians, and support staff, focusing on expanding the test repertoire and incorporating new technologies. They will also be responsible for maintaining turnaround times within the section.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team are essential.

The fully UKAS-accredited Histopathology Department provides diagnostic services across South London and receives specialist referrals nationwide. It performs routine and specialised diagnostic tests using modern equipment.

The programme includes training manuals, competency assessments, reflective learning, and CPD lectures.

Main duties of the job

These include daily planning and management of staff and workload, leading daily review meetings and preparation of weekly staff rota.

The post-holder will be responsible for staff recruitment, appraisal, management of annual leave requests and sickness absences of staff within the Molecular team in line with organisational policies. The post-holder is responsible for organising staff training and competency for tasks undertaken by each Molecular team member.

The post holder is expected to support the molecular team in maintaining high standard diagnostic technical work and troubleshooting when errors are detected and is expected to lead with introduction of new techniques and methods as necessary.

The post holder will be responsible for meeting the Molecular section’s quality objectives, participation in internal and external quality assurances schemes and will represent the laboratory on all matters involving Molecular activities.

The role will involve liaising with other stakeholders within and outside of the organisation and the post-holder will lead engagements with others with the view of expanding the service the department provides.

Working for our organisation

The Department of Histopathology at King’s College Hospital currently processes over 28,000 surgical specimens per year, offering an impressive range of diagnostic techniques including routine histopathological methods, immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence, molecular pathology and a Mohs Micrographic Surgery service.

The service is delivered by a dynamic team of 40 Biomedical Scientists and support staff spread across the Core Laboratory, Advanced Diagnostics section and the office. We hold IBMS training laboratory approval and participate in multiple external quality assurance schemes and demonstrate a strong commitment to continual quality improvement.

To learn more about this opening, please see contact details below or simply apply through the application process.

Your development and learning

You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.

Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a full list of all duties and responsibilities, see the attached job description.

Core aspects of the role include:

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Ensure and maintain a timely and efficient quality service through the effective management of the staff involved with the molecular workload.
2. Understand the management structure of the department and own role within the structure.
3. Attend local and corporate induction sessions and mandatory recall training.
4. Provide local laboratory induction for new staff joining the molecular section of the Advanced Diagnostics laboratory.
5. Implement Trust, organisational and departmental policies and procedures for staff working in the molecular section, including sickness absence, annual and special leave, capability, disciplinary, and Health and Safety.

1. Undertake training and development to successfully maintain core competencies to run and maintain a diagnostic molecular laboratory.
2. Understand how changes in the workflow will affect downstream diagnostic processes, ensuring a safe, robust, high-quality service is maintained at all times.
3. Develop and improve scientific knowledge and awareness of developments in the appropriate field of expertise via Continuing Professional Development (CPD), ensuring this knowledge is passed on to staff where appropriate.
4. Maintain registration with the Healthcare Professions Council (HPC).
5. Maintain a portfolio that demonstrates CPD achievement.
6. In conjunction with the operational service lead and the scientific lead, develop, evaluate, and implement new tests and processes, including production or amendment of SOPs and provision and documentation of staff training within the molecular section of the Advanced Diagnostics laboratory.
7. Undertake laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the operational service lead and contribute to service development supported by evidence-based practice.
8. Participate in research and development as directed.
9. Assess the relevance and importance of diagnostic molecular test requests, work in progress, and test results in conjunction with medical and clinical staff.
10. Efficiently manage patients' clinical material and maintain a safe, ethical system of storage.
11. Have a general understanding of ethics and the Human Tissue Act with application to samples that may be used in research, test development, or as a control.
12. Understand the necessity for the accurate communication of complex information.
13. Provide approved departmental information and advice to other healthcare professionals and refer on to appropriate specialists for requests for information.
14. Participate in audits relevant to molecular tests to highlight any deficiencies.

1. Comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure, and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
2. Be familiar with and proficient in the use of the Laboratory Information System (Epic-Beaker) in accordance with the relevant SOPs.
3. Ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good work practices required for the standards of Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK).
4. Maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.
5. Develop systems and processes for recording and storing laboratory information.
6. Take responsibility for the collection and monitoring of operational performance data, including turnaround times, workload, and material consumption for the molecular section.
7. Understand how test costs are determined and assist the business development team in marketing the laboratory services.
8. Be competent at using any third-party software deemed necessary for performing your role.

Person specification

Qualifications

• MSc Hons Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
• Registration with HCPC
• Evidence of CPD

• PhD or MSc in molecular biology or related subject

Skills and Knowledge

• At least three years’ experience in a cellular pathology laboratory at a senior grade
• Demonstrable broad level of practical cellular and molecular pathology experience
• Involvement in the development of a new assay or implementation of a new piece of equipment
• Track record of effective performance in cellular and molecular pathology at band 7 level or above
• Understanding of Laboratory Information Systems data storage and archiving
• Evidence of supervisory/ managerial expertise
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development

• Use of Epic-Beaker Laboratory Information Management System

Equality of opportunity is our policy.

Our Bank workers enjoy competitive market rates and flexible contract assignments across all of our sites, dependent on your availability and location.

For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.

All employees are entitled to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Ground breaking development

opportunities

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.

Please apply for this post on-line. If you have problems with using the online process, or need any assistance, please email [email protected]

Your e-mail address is important to us. We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications.

If you decide to apply for this post but do not hear back from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been short-listed on this occasion.

Thank you for your interest in Synnovis.