Job Summary
We are seeking a dynamic, pro-active and highly driven Section Manager to join our team. The key element of this role is being laboratory based supporting the Biomedical Scientist team to deliver an excellent diagnostic service through the completion of accurate and effective bacterial investigations. The post holder must have an in depth clinical bacteriology knowledge, including but not limited to organism identification and antibiotic susceptibility knowledge. As a Biomedical Scientist Section Manager the post holder will be responsible for the delegated tasks required for the delivery of a clinical technical service that will achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care. They will be expected to lead and work as part of a team within the laboratory, performing the work to the required standards. They will be expected to act as line manager for members of the team, ensuring staff wellbeing and morale is supported at all times. Diagnostic work includes examination of cerebrospinal fluid, peritoneal dialysis fluid, urine, faeces, sputum, blood/serum, pus and diverse secretions. Investigations include for example, serological assays for HIV and Hepatitis B, identification of micro-organisms, lice, fleas and films for identification of intestinal parasites.

Main duties of the job
To be an efficient and flexible member of the Pathology team providing a consistently high quality and professional service to all users of the service.

Key Result Areas:

• To provide specialist knowledge and training to the Biomedical Scientist team to support complex laboratory investigations.
• To provide and co-ordinate specialist clinical technical services to patients that may include research and audit samples.
• To undertake the day-to-day management of a section within the laboratory under the direction of the line manager.
• Contributes to providing a professional clinical laboratory service, working effectively as a team member as part of the overall department.
• To provide the necessary training and supervision to staff within the section.

About us
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 the 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.

Job responsibilities

• To be proficient in all designated areas of diagnostic work within the department and to provide a comprehensive and appropriate laboratory service to patients and staff.
• To undertake a wide range of diagnostic tests and screening procedures through to initial interpretation.
• To ensure that test procedures are carried out according to SOPs, assess that other junior staff are competent and participate in their regular review and update.
• To undertake technical validation of highly complex results from laboratory investigations to ensure accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols.
• To measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
• To carry out corrective action when quality control and assurance procedures indicate loss of performance.
• Ensure that documentation is maintained to the Trust standard (including electronic records).
• To identify and report clinical risks so that appropriate action can be taken in accordance with the Trust risk management policy.
• To plan, prioritise and supervise the scientific workload of a section on a day-to-day basis.
• To provide a comprehensive and appropriate laboratory service to patients and staff.
• To possess highly developed, advanced specialist scientific skills.
• To ensure that the laboratory standard operational and health & safety policies are understood and carried out by all staff.
• Responsible for the maintenance, condition, quality control and record keeping of instruments and equipment associated with the section.
• Adaptation to new methodology or working practices when required, due to changing circumstances.
• To contribute towards a culture of quality in the department and to comply and promote the quality initiatives within the department consistent with the requirements of accrediting and regulatory bodies.
• To support all diagnostic procedures provided by the department.
• Participation in and facilitation of Quality Assurance and Audit within the section.
• To be proactive in the updating and generation of standard operating procedures.

See the attached job description for full details and responsibilities.

Person Specification
Essential

• Evidence of successful completion of IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Microbiology
• Evidence of post degree qualification e.g. MSc Biomedical Science or IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma in Microbiology.
• Evidence of substantial experience and employment within an NHS Microbiology Laboratory.
• Please provide an example of when you have led a validation / verfication project and the role you played.
• Please provide evidence of how you have led a team, how you support them and manage any issues.

Desirable

• Please share details of your knowledge and expertise related to your technical ability and technical trouble shooting working in bacteriology.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).