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Job description

The Cellular Pathology department at the John Radcliffe Hospital is seeking a motivated, enthusiastic biomedical scientist, experienced at a senior level to manage the histopathology team.

The Histology Operations Manager is a biomedical scientist with highly developed technical and professional skills to perform a complex role managing the histology team in a teaching hospital providing a wide range of general and specialist services. They will have their own laboratory section and will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the histology laboratory and management of the histology team on the John Radcliffe site.

The Department currently process approximately 55,000 surgical cases per year, has implemented digital pathology across all disciplines, is accredited with the IBMS for staff training, UKAS accredited, and is currently involved in designing and implementing a network wide LIMS system.

Applicants must be HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists with specialist Cellular Pathology knowledge (equivalent to the IBMS Specialist Diploma), have attained a Master’s degree or equivalent in a related field and provide evidence of management training with demonstrable managerial / supervisory experience.

The core hours of the department are 08:30 – 17:00 with an early shift at 07:00, whilst participation in on call is required, there are flexible working opportunities available.

The Histology Operations Manager manages a comprehensive range of scientific services within histopathology liaising with the Cellular Pathology Manager, quality team and consultants as required. They lead the histopathology service and have responsibility for the operational service delivery and regulatory compliance in histopathology.

The department is committed to training and development of the team and under their leadership ensure that the department continues to provide these opportunities and deliver a high quality, timely service

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustis one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. Find out more here www.ouh.nhs.uk

The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POST:

• The post holder will practice as a Registered Biomedical Scientist and as a manager for a comprehensive range of scientific services within histopathology.
• The post holder will manage staff and other resources within histopathology, participating in and having responsibility for the highly specialist, diagnostic technical service delivery. They will be required to liaise with hospital clinicians, general practitioners, other health care professionals, other Trust departments, external agencies, suppliers and their agents and occasionally patients and their representatives.
• The post holder will exercise independence on a day-to-day basis within professional and managerial boundaries. They will be required to verify and validate completed work as well as advising on the interpretative aspects of highly specialised work and providing scientific support outside of normal working hours.
• In conjunction with the Laboratory Manager and consultant medical staff the post holder will be required to review, initiate, and implement strategic development within the speciality, devising policies and procedures and presenting these where appropriate
• The post holder will be required to represent the speciality through verbal and visual presentation at Trust wide and external meetings.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITES:
Managerial Responsibilities

• Responsible for compliance to all relevant guidelines and directives in area of responsibility including Policy development and implementation.
• Ensures that UKAS – United Kingdom Accreditation Service standards within area of responsibility are maintained and includes preparation and revision of Policy documents.
• Manages staff deployment within area of responsibility ensuring that workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner and working in co-operation with Departmental Consultants and clinicians, all grades BMS staff, Nurses, support staff and clerical staff.
• Manages and supervises laboratory staff working in area of responsibility and includes motivational, evaluation and conflict management skills. Staff groups include Trainee Medical staff, Senior, State Registered and Trainee BMSs, laboratory support staff and clerical staff.
• Ensures that staff performance meets those competencies required to meet National Standards and includes formal assessment of competency for Registration and for participation in ‘out of hours’ service provision, requiring specialised, interpretative and technical tasks.
• Attends and performs staff appraisals in accordance with the Trust Policy ensuring own personal and professional development and the effective management and development of staff.
• Participates in the recruitment and selection of staff up to and including Senior BMS grades.
• Resolves personnel issues within area of responsibility and with support from the Laboratory Manager. May be required to participate in disciplinary procedures where appropriate.
• Proactive in the evaluation of new methodologies, automation and working practices, managing procurement and implementation in conjunction with the Laboratory Manager and Clinical staff.
• Ensures efficient use of resources. Liaises with manufacturers in the setting up of service and reagent contracts and monitors delivery against contract in conjunction with the Laboratory Manager of financial resources and is proactive in the investigation of areas saving procedures, requiring use of negotiating and in conjunction with the Laboratory Manager.
• Supports the Laboratory Manager, Deputy Laboratory Manager, Quality Manager, I.T. Systems Manager, Safety Manager, Training Manager and Equipment Manager in the development and delivery of the service.

Scientific and Clinical Responsibilities

• Performs highly complex or esoteric investigations requiring the use of specialised knowledge and extensive experience.
• Ensures the validity of results using control methods and materials, applicable to both manual and automated systems. Is responsible for the monitoring of these daily.
• Is responsible for the performance of Internal and External Quality Assurance schemes reporting to the Quality Manager
• Carries out problem solving and repairs on complex, expensive ( >£35,000), automated systems, liaising with the Trust and external service engineers.
• Accepts clinical samples into the department from patients, nurses and staff from transport and porter services and assesses such samples for suitability and decides upon appropriate action in cases of non-compliance

Analytical and Interpretative Responsibilities

• Frequently exercises individual skills through the examination and interpretation of clinical material, supporting less experienced staff in these activities and coping with urgent problems and clinical enquiries.
• Uses individual skills through the observation and interpretation of clinical data.
• Assesses the validity of results generated by automated and manual systems. Is aware of the limitations of these techniques and is able to identify and correct anomalous results.
• Provides clinically relevant scientific advice through the development and application of interpretative comments.
• Recommends additional tests and provides scientific or clinical advice, in accordance with agreed protocols, to assist the requesting clinician in the diagnostic and treatment process.

Role Responsibilities

• Practices in accordance with the Professional, ethical and legal codes of the Health & Care Professions Council, Trust and NHS protocols and guidelines. Is accountable for own practice and maintenance of State Registration status.
• Develops own skills and knowledge, taking responsibility for Continuing Professional Development and performance to maintain a national standard of competence.
• Maintains and develops competencies across the repertoire of histopathology. This includes updating knowledge to maintain the most effective use of resources for the tasks performed in that area.
• Applies sound analytical knowledge and critical thinking to manage complex situations in a dynamic environment.
• Communicates effectively with other staff groups, both internal and external to department and organisation.
• Provides and receives complex scientific information to and from clinical and technical colleagues where empathic and reassurance skills are required. Is aware of barriers to understanding and is able to present information accordingly
• Displays and maintains an advanced level of IT skills. Involves knowledge and understanding of a variety of computer programmes such as word processing, PowerPoint, spreadsheets and statistical packages. Assists with management of LIMS.
• Responsible and accountable for the day-to-day operational management of service provision within histopathology.

Teaching, Training and Research Responsibilities

• Is responsible for the delivery of training to clinical, Biomedical Scientist and support staff in histopathology. Ensures training is in accordance with local and national professional standards and policies.
• Assesses staff training to ensure deficiencies are addressed reporting to the Training Manager.
• Participates in scientific training of staff both internal and external to the department and the Trust.
• Participates and supports Research and Development initiatives, including clinical research in conjunction with clinical staff.
• Works with manufacturers and equipment suppliers, contributing to product development and enhancement.
• Participates in departmental and national audit programmes.
• Actively contributes to the devising and development of recruitment, appraisal, training and development strategies of staff and the Department in conjunction with the Laboratory Manager

Other Responsibilities

• Demonstrates specialist skill and professional knowledge acquired through Registration and post graduate academic and scientific development.
• Independence within professional and managerial boundaries in area of responsibility.
• Works independently and without supervision in the provision of the service.
• Demonstrates excellent personal communication and team working and leadership skills
• Demonstrates excellent time management and prioritisation skills
• Works to ensure that departmental performance targets are met by assessing the needs of the service and deploying resources as appropriate.
• Has an understanding of the requirements of Clinical Governance, Data Protection and Patient Confidentiality, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and local and national health and safety policies and is responsible for investigating problems, errors and anomalies.
• Is responsible for the despatch of biological samples to referral centres liaising with specialist laboratories and ensuring that sample despatch complies with current guidelines
• Improves departmental quality by challenging and questioning practice. Initiates and directs the change management process, in conjunction with the Laboratory Manager and clinical staff. Proposes change in departmental strategy and practice to meet evolving scientific and clinical needs.
• Is a member of the Departmental Senior Technical Staff Management Committee and attends departmental management meetings.
• Chairs and / or attends other departmental and Trust wide staff meetings.
• Contributes to internal and external scientific and management meetings regularly, giving presentations in a formal setting.
• Will attend regular appraisal and provide evidence of continual personal and professional development

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To be aware of the inherent hazards of the work and to take appropriate precautions at all times, reporting to the Head Biomedical Scientist or Safety Officer any accident or potential hazards.
• Abide by current policies and procedures defined by the OUH NHS Trust and/or the Trust or Directorate Risk Management Team and to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act.