Job summary
We are seeking a committed individual to take on this leadership role. Applicants should be enthusiastic, aspiring leaders with a good track record of operational management, people leadership and change management. You must be able to demonstrate achievement of targets, implementation of service developments and transformation initiatives.Along with the Head of service, the postholder will provide operational leadership, strategic direction, financial control and will be ultimately responsible for the management of all pathology staff across all sites. The post holder will work alongside the Senior leadership team and will be managerially accountable to the Head of NMCPS.

These are exciting, but equally challenging times and our continued vision is to deliver a clinically led, cost-effective and safe service, committed to value in everything it does. This aligns closely with the need to develop system-wide sustainability and transformation plans to achieve greater efficiency and productivity opportunities.

Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will need excellent organisational skills, the ability to multi-task and manage their time effectively, the ability to develop excellent working relationships at every level and very strong communication and leadership skills. The role can be challenging and requires someone with a high level of attention to detail. You must be able to establish credibility with a wide range of people, possess excellent negotiation skills together with the vision and drive to deliver excellence for our services and patients. The role also gives the opportunity for a large amount of external working within the NMCPS Pathology Network, allowing the post holder to collaborate with colleagues both internal and external to the member Trusts.

We are looking for an experienced HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist with a master's degree (or equivalent) and proven technical experience as well as a management and leadership qualification to act as the Deputy head for NMCPS.

The post holder will act as the professional, technical and managerial Deputy Head of the North Midlands and Cheshire Pathology Service.

About us
The North Midlands and Cheshire Pathology Services (NMCPS) formed in December 2020 was a collaboration betweenThe University Hospital of North Midlands (UHNM), Mid Cheshire and East Cheshire NHS Trusts (MCHFT). UHNM are the host provider of the network.

NMCPS is a part of a wider Pathology network namely North 8 (N8) which includes Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust (SaTH). The collaboration between the entities has yet to be formalised but it is expected that the postholder will work closely with the newly appointed N8 Programme Director and the Senior management team at SaTH.

UHNM has two sites: Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital. We provide a full range of general acute hospital services for people living in and around Staffordshire and beyond. The Trust also provides specialised services for 3 million people in a wider area, including neighbouring counties and North Wales.

Our specialised services include cancer diagnosis and treatment, cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, renal and dialysis services, neonatal intensive care and paediatric intensive care. We are recognised for our particular expertise in trauma, respiratory conditions, spinal surgery, upper gastro-intestinal surgery, complex orthopaedic surgery, laparoscopic surgery and the management of liver conditions.

The Trust would consider a flexible working pattern to support work life balance.

Job responsibilities
For more information on working for the Trust, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification or contact the Hiring Manager.

Qualifications
Essential

• BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science or equivalent (grand-parented). MSc or equivalent qualification to FIBMS Standard
• On-going CPD. State Registration with HPC
• Recognised Management Qualification / Training or extensive management experience.

Desirable

• Project management qualification

Experience
Essential

• Experience as a Pathology Deputy Laboratory Lead or Laboratory Lead in either Blood Sciences/Cellular Pathology/Microbiology
• Experience in a senior Biomedical Scientist position. Experience of operational and laboratory management
• Experience of laboratory information systems / Proven information resource skills including spread sheets and databases. Manipulation and processing of data for departmental statistics.
• Experience in financial control and preparation of budgets including successful identification of efficiency savings
• Experience in service development and business planning / Evidence of change management

Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Comprehensive understanding of the professional training/education agenda
• Strategic awareness of current issues within Pathology
• Experience of active participation in UKAS quality assessments & accreditation visits

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.

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).