Description
Applications are invited for an exciting opportunity to become departmental Quality, Risk and Governance Lead for Microbiology.
The Microbiology Quality, Risk and Governance Lead is a key member of the Microbiology laboratory team whose role provides assurance that governance, management and performance of the service meets the expectations of its users and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. We are looking for someone with a proven interest in quality management and experience with working to the ISO15189 standard. Applications are invited from either HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists or non-HCPC registered individuals with equivalent qualifications. All individuals must have demonstrable experience of leading and implementing quality management systems in a clinical laboratory setting.
Main duties of the job - To be responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of the Microbiology Quality Management System across all laboratory areas.
- To take lead responsibility for Clinical Governance, Risk Management and Complaints Management within the Department of Clinical Microbiology.
- To act as the departmental lead for service improvement activity both proactively and ensuring lessons arising from non-conformances are learned and acted upon.
- To provide advice and guidance on policy issues relating to quality-of-service provision.
- To assure the quality of performance data and support timely decision making to ensure the Microbiology service meets the needs of its patients, users and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
About us Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff. Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
Job description Job responsibilities Technical & Scientific 1. In conjunction with the departmental technical committee to be responsible for changes in work practice, which could require analysis of various options and judgments on the appropriate course of action. 2. In conjunction with the departmental technical committee to be responsible for policy implementation and service development in the laboratory, ensuring documentation is reviewed, updated and amended as required. 3. To support the research and development activities of the laboratory. 4. To aid in the evaluation and introduction of new technologies, instrumentation and methodologies. This will require the provision of support regarding staff training and documentation of new policies and standard operating procedures. 5. To participate in the long-term and strategic planning of the service including service development and introduction of new work practices to ensure compliance with ISO 15189, UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations (UK SMIs) and other standards and regulations applicable to the Microbiology service.
Human Resource Management 1. To be familiar with all the Health and Safety policies of the Trust and the Microbiology department to ensure that they are followed to maintain a safe working environment for all employees and visitors. 2. To participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues to promote a cohesive team ethos and the achievement of team objectives. 3. To co-ordinate and supervise the activities of staff with regards to Quality Management tasks. 4. To plan and manage the induction, education, training and professional development of staff in the areas of quality and risk management.
Performance Management 1. To be responsible for the provision of timely and accurate performance data for the service with support from administrative and technical specialists. 2. To analyse performance data and come to timely and accurate conclusions as to the factors contributing to performance and the implications for service users. 3. To support the service managers in developing suitable action plans to redress service performance issues. 4. To record performance issues, related assessments and action plans within the quality management system as necessary to monitor and report on the effectiveness of those plans as required.
Patient Care 1. To provide assurance, through the role of Microbiology Quality, Risk & Governance Lead, that the governance, management and performance of the service meets the expectations of its users and the Trust. 2. To hold the Microbiology Operational Manager and Senior Biomedical Scientist staff accountable to the Laboratory Manager and Laboratory Director for the quality of patient care delivered by the department by monitoring and reporting on key quality and performance indicators. 3. To promote a high standard of engagement for effective service delivery amongst the Clinical Microbiology workforce by setting an example as a highly engaged, dynamic and effective individual. 4. To support the patient safety activities of the Trust, in co-ordination with the Pathology Quality, Risk & Governance Manager. 5. To support patients either directly or indirectly through investigation and complaint processes. 6. To ensure duty of candour actions are completed in the event that they are required.
Laboratory Informatics 1. To maintain the Department of Clinical Microbiologys Quality Management System. 2. To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure, and confidential processing, and storage of patient and other laboratory information. 3. To use the laboratory information system according to authorised protocols. 4. To maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases. 5. To keep abreast of changes and developments in the information systems and assist with implementation and staff training.
Communication 1. To communicate with service users, other laboratories, staff within Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and other services to provide highly specialised quality and governance information. 2. To communicate complex information to groups of staff during training sessions. This will involve the use of teaching aids including PowerPoint presentations, wipe boards, flipcharts and Teams meetings. 3. To communicate with external organisations/agencies (e.g., commercial suppliers) regarding the quality of the service. 4. To represent the Department of Clinical Microbiology on Trust and regional quality committees related to the role.
General 1. Maintain, update and develop personal and professional knowledge and skills by participating in the Trust Wellbeing, Performance and Career appraisal process. 2. To maintain professional competence and be aware of developments in areas or responsibility and other aspects of Biomedical Sciences. 3. To demonstrate continual professional development to maintain skills and knowledge. 4. To co-operate with other departmental and Trust staff to promote awareness of the professional image of Pathology throughout the Trust. 5. To ensure a safe working environment by maintaining adequate levels of safety and security. 6. To be responsible for the recording of incidents and to deal with emergencies in an appropriate manner.
Quality Management 1. To develop the Department of Clinical Microbiology Quality Management System in accordance with ISO 15189 and other relevant standards. 2. To ensure that the Quality Management System is implemented and maintained. 3. To be responsible for introducing and maintaining methodologies in accordance with Trust policies and those of the UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations or other organisations where appropriate. 4. To report to the Department of Clinical Microbiology management team on the functioning and efficiency of the Quality Management System. 5. To maintain an effective Risk Register for the Department of Clinical Microbiology, by liaising with the Pathology Quality, Risk and Governance Manager, Service Lead and Laboratory Director in adding, reviewing, maintaining and closing risks to accurately reflect the position of the department. 6. To promote good practice for risk assessment within Microbiology, ensuring staff identify and report any potential risks that they identify. 7. To become familiar with the relevant statutory requirements, the clinical governance, risk management and quality audit policies and procedures and systems of accreditation pertaining to the Department of Clinical Microbiology and be able to provide advice on quality issues relating to these. 8. Together with the management team in the Department of Clinical Microbiology, provide procurement advice on major equipment purchases for the department. 9. To educate and train the laboratorys staff in the principles and practice of quality and risk management. 10. To train staff within and from outside the department in the performance of quality audits. 11. To maintain the Department of Clinical Microbiology documentation system, including document and change control. 12. To investigate result and service complaints and incidents, to ensure that effective immediate and follow-up actions are taken and to monitor and report on the efficacy of these as required. 13. To supervise a program of internal audits against defined quality performance measures and ensure that effective immediate and follow-up actions are taken, including the timely resolution of identified non-conformances. 14. To monitor the requirement of the laboratorys users and ensure that they are reflected within defined quality performance measures. 15. To share the needs and requirements of users across the department to ensure there is good engagement with staff. 16. To identify areas and particular projects where there is the potential for improvement of quality to the benefit of the service provided by the laboratory. 17. In conjunction with the laboratory management team, ensure the provision of an efficient and timely service, ensuring maximum productivity within the allocated resources. 18. In conjunction with the departmental technical committee provide scientific and technical support for all areas of the department which may impact on the quality of the service provided. 19. To ensure the monitoring of performance and maintenance of laboratory equipment occurs within the Department of Clinical Microbiology. 20. To develop and maintain internal and external quality assurance programmes and to ensure compliance with relevant accreditation schemes. 21. To be responsible for maintaining a high standard of work in accordance with Clinical Governance, Caldicott, DPQR, ISO 15189 and UK SMIs requirements. 22. To co-ordinate and chair Microbiology Quality Meetings, including Analytical Performance Reviews. 23. To co-ordinate and arrange the Quality Performance Review Meeting. 24. To perform other tasks that arise from time to time, relevant to delivering the objectives of the Pathology service quality agenda.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential - BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science or equivalent
- Quality Management Qualification
Desirable - MSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent
- Evidence of formal management training
Experience Essential - At least five years' experience in managing a Quality Management System
- Experience with use of Pathology IT systems
- Experience of change management with a large, complex organisation
- Experience with supporting training and supervision of staff
Skills and Knowledge Essential - Knowledge of the relevant statutory requirements, the clinical governance, risk management and quality audit policies and procedures required to meet ISO 15189 and other quality standards.
- Good working knowledge of MS office software applications including Word, Excel and Teams.
- Good working knowledge of Quality Management and database interrogation software.
- Ability to work in a methodical and organised manner.
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) interpersonal skills.
- The ability to work using own initiative and without supervision.
- Ability to organise and supervise the technical verification of laboratory methods and assays.
- A knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and procedures within a clinical microbiology laboratory.
- Evidence of leadership, coaching and counselling skills.
- Evidence of involvement with the training and development of staff within a clinical laboratory.
- Demonstrate the ability to make informed decisions in area of responsibility.
- Problem solving skills.
Employer details Employer name Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Address Southwick Hill Road
Cosham
PO6 3LY Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply. REF641N
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