Quality Assurance Lead Wolverhampton, England
Job description
You will be required to support the Black Country Pathology Services in the maintenance of the quality management system. You will play a key role in ensuring compliance with ISO15189 standards and other relevant regulations such as HTA and UKAS accreditation. You will actively manage, participate in and support the department in visits from external bodies. The successful candidate will represent the pathology services across the BCPS on quality matters and provide guidance and support to colleagues. You will report on the performance of the QMS at both departmental and senior management level .
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual who would welcome the challenge to join our friendly team and participate in the delivery of a single integrated, high quality pathology service to the Trusts and GPs in the area as a hub and spoke model. The BCPS provides comprehensive pathology service to an approximate population of 1.8 million.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals that have excellent knowledge of quality management systems and of regulatory requirements and standards relevant to pathology services. We are looking for quality management experience and applicants that have experience of actively participating in external assessments/ visits.
The successful candidate will be an HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist who has completed a masters degree.
Evidence of first line management Quality Management systems, Quality Assurance and Laboratory accreditation is essential.
Core hours of work will be between Monday to Friday 08.30–17.00, there is an early shift 07.30-16.00 and a late shift 11.00-19.30, to cover 37.5hours per week and service needs. The post holder must be flexible in travelling to various sites across BCPS.
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the West Midlands providing primary, acute and community services and we are incredibly proud of the diversity of both our staff and the communities we serve. We are building a workforce that can help us to fulfil our values, improve quality of care for patients, and solve the health care problems of tomorrow. We’re passionate about the value that diversity of thinking and lived experience brings in enabling us to become a learning organisation and leader in delivering compassionate care for our patients.
We are delighted that we have been rated as “Good” by CQC. We have achieved numerous awards; The Nursing Times Best Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Best UK Employer of the Year for Nursing Staff in 2020.
The Trust is a supportive working environment committed to creating flexible working arrangements that suit your needs and as such will consider all requests from applicants who wish to work flexibly.
To assist in overseeing the quality management system (QMS) across the BCPS under the direction of the Quality Management team working alongside the Discipline Lead and Clinical Lead for the service.
To provide and co-ordinate specialist clinical technical services to patients that may include research and audit samples.
Contributes to providing a professional clinical laboratory service, working effectively as a team member as part of the overall BCPS
To provide the necessary support, guidance, training and/or supervision to various staff groups across BCPS.
To participate in all technical and scientific aspects of Histopathology laboratory operation without supervision, as part of a team, under the direction of Senior Biomedical Scientists (BMS 2) ensuring compliance with Departmental Policies and Standard Operating procedures.
To prioritise and organise workload to ensure continuity and efficiency of service. Organise own work and ensure completion in a timely manor and to satisfactory Standards.
Ensure that all procedures carried out in the laboratory contribute to high quality service provision.
Take part in the specimen entry process using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Ensure that all samples / request forms are correctly matched and fulfil the specimen acceptance criteria of the Department. Highlight any discrepancies to a senior member of staff.
Ensure that laboratory records are maintained accurately and stored securely in line with the Standards issued by UKAS, RCPath and HTA
Participate at every stage in the laboratory preparation of tissue sections including tissue embedding and microtomy and staining
To be able to quality control check slides and provide feedback
To participate in the provision of the laboratory immunocytochemistry service.
To participate in the preparation of frozen tissue sections when necessary.
To participate in internal quality control and external quality assurance schemes and to ensure that laboratory quality standards are met.
To supervise the work carried out by trainee Biomedical Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA) as required.
To assist in the training and development of trainee and registered Biomedical Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA).
Filing and archiving of all material both received in, and produced by, the laboratory.
To assist in the disposal of clinical waste in a safe and respectful manner as necessary and in line with laboratory Policies and Procedures.
Ensure that appropriate preventative maintenance and calibration has been carried out and recorded on laboratory instruments and equipment prior to being used for patient investigations. Ensure that all equipment failures are recorded in line with Departmental and Trust Policies.
Ensure that all chemicals and reagents are prepared, stored and used according to manufacturer guidelines and in line with laboratory procedures. Ensure that associated documentation such as risk and COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) assessments are maintained.
To assist in the monitoring of stocks of consumables through accurate record keeping and by alerting a senior member of staff to any shortfalls. Use resources efficiently and cost effectively.
To contribute to the evaluation of both new and existing equipment and procedures to ensure continuous service improvement and development.
To assist in the production, implementation and review of documentation associated with laboratory procedures.
Promptly report any incidents / accidents and near miss occurrences in accordance with Departmental and Trust Policies and Procedures.
To be actively involved in the implementation of both Trust and Departmental Policies and Procedures and reinforcing their use and application.
To participate in housekeeping duties in the laboratory in order to maintain a clean and tidy working environment.
