Job summary
We are welcoming applications for an exciting opportunity that has arisen for a well motivated, enthusiastic and suitably qualified Healthcare Science Section Leader within our Core Biochemistry section. You will be responsible for the day to day running of the section and will provide technical advice to a wide range of colleagues. You must share the outstanding values of Newcastle Hospitals and have a proven record of extensive experience within Core Biochemistry.
The Core Biochemistry testing repertoire is extensive and is currently provided from laboratories at both the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) and the Freeman Hospital. As well as core laboratory services, numerous highly specialist assays are provided to support a variety of clinical specialisms, such as the Institute of Transplantation, Northern Centre for Cancer Care, and a regional Maternity Unit. The Department has strong clinical links with all related clinical teams within the Trust.
- Interview date: 12th February 2024
- 37 hours 30 minutes /week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
Main duties of the job
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, suitably qualified HCPC Registered Healthcare Science Section Leader to work within our Blood Sciences Department in the Core Biochemistry section.
Blood Sciences plays a pivotal role in the provision of 11 million diagnostic tests per year which are essential for the delivery of high quality clinical care within all Directorates of the Trust and in Primary Care. The Department also acts as a regional and national reference laboratory. The Department is UKAS accredited and is housed at both Freeman Hospital and Royal Victoria Infirmary. The laboratory is progressive, well equipped and is accredited for training, with participation in CPD being actively encouraged.
You should be highly motivated with good interpersonal, leadership and organisational skills. Applications are invited from candidates fulfilling the following essential criteria:
- BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
- MSc or FIBMS in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent level of knowledge
- Health and Care Professions Council registration
- Previous experience and knowledge in Blood Sciences to specialist level
- Promote and partake in Continuous Professional Developmen
About us
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest, largest and most successful teaching NHS foundation trusts in the country, we have around 16,000 staff and an annual income of £1 billion.
We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We're also proud to be the second largest provider of specialised services in the country. This means we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 2 million patients 'contacts' each year, delivering high standards of healthcare.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- The department of Blood Sciences plays a pivotal role in provision of diagnostic services, which are essential for the delivery of high quality clinical care, both within the Trust and in Primary Care.
- The post holder will have technical charge of a section of the laboratory and will be responsible for organising and participating in the day to day work of the section ensuring that the work is carried out to agreed standards and a high quality.
- Duties will include the leadership and management of a team of staff. The team may contain Specialist Biomedical Scientists, Registered Biomedical Scientists, Healthcare Science Associates and Healthcare Science Assistants.Responsibilities
- The post holder may be required to rotate through different sections of the Department.
- The post holder may be required to lead on specific management functions over more than one section. Training, Quality and IT are such examples.Technical
- Organise and participate in the work of the section. Ensuring, in liaison with the
- Operational Manager, the timely production of analytical results within turn around times where specified in the Blood Sciences departmental policy. .
- Ensure working practice is in accordance with UKAS standards.
- Assist in maintaining up to date UKAS documentation.
- Ensure adequate stocks of reagents and consumables are available for the efficient running of the section.
- Ensure that all quality control procedures are followed and high analytical standards are maintained. This includes adherence to regular in-house service and maintenance schedules and completion of the associated documentation.
- Ensure the departmental quality management system is adhered to.
- Maintain an up to date relevant knowledge of the technical aspects of the discipline in order to develop their own and the staffs professional expertise.
- Ensure safe working practices are followed and that staff comply with Health and Safety regulations, completing departmental and Trust incident forms when appropriate.
- To undertake, as directed by the Operational Manager and in liaison with the appropriate Clinical Specialist, research and development work within the section.
- As an experienced senior member of staff provide help and advice, in relation to technical problems, troubleshooting etc, to staff working in other areas of the department as required.Managerial
- Supervise the section, under the management of the Blood Sciences Operational Manager.
- Assist in the implementation of management decisions affecting the section.
- Maintain co-operation between sections of the Department by regular liaison with other senior staff.
- Promote best practice in work and encourage staff morale, interests and contribution.
- Deputise for some aspects of Operational management when required.Training
- Organise the training of staff, in the section for which they are responsible, in procedures, methodologies and principles.
- Produce training documentation for use in departmental training logs.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- The department of Blood Sciences plays a pivotal role in provision of diagnostic services, which are essential for the delivery of high quality clinical care, both within the Trust and in Primary Care.
- The post holder will have technical charge of a section of the laboratory and will be responsible for organising and participating in the day to day work of the section ensuring that the work is carried out to agreed standards and a high quality.
- Duties will include the leadership and management of a team of staff. The team may contain Specialist Biomedical Scientists, Registered Biomedical Scientists, Healthcare Science Associates and Healthcare Science Assistants.Responsibilities
- The post holder may be required to rotate through different sections of the Department.
- The post holder may be required to lead on specific management functions over more than one section. Training, Quality and IT are such examples.Technical
- Organise and participate in the work of the section. Ensuring, in liaison with the
- Operational Manager, the timely production of analytical results within turn around times where specified in the Blood Sciences departmental policy. .
- Ensure working practice is in accordance with UKAS standards.
- Assist in maintaining up to date UKAS documentation.
- Ensure adequate stocks of reagents and consumables are available for the efficient running of the section.
- Ensure that all quality control procedures are followed and high analytical standards are maintained. This includes adherence to regular in-house service and maintenance schedules and completion of the associated documentation.
- Ensure the departmental quality management system is adhered to.
- Maintain an up to date relevant knowledge of the technical aspects of the discipline in order to develop their own and the staffs professional expertise.
- Ensure safe working practices are followed and that staff comply with Health and Safety regulations, completing departmental and Trust incident forms when appropriate.
- To undertake, as directed by the Operational Manager and in liaison with the appropriate Clinical Specialist, research and development work within the section.
- As an experienced senior member of staff provide help and advice, in relation to technical problems, troubleshooting etc, to staff working in other areas of the department as required.Managerial
- Supervise the section, under the management of the Blood Sciences Operational Manager.
- Assist in the implementation of management decisions affecting the section.
- Maintain co-operation between sections of the Department by regular liaison with other senior staff.
- Promote best practice in work and encourage staff morale, interests and contribution.
- Deputise for some aspects of Operational management when required.Training
- Organise the training of staff, in the section for which they are responsible, in procedures, methodologies and principles.
- Produce training documentation for use in departmental training logs.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Promote and partake in Continuous Professional Development.
- Previous knowledge in Blood Sciences to specialist level.
SKILLS
Desirable
- Keyboard and IT related skills.
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Previous experience in Blood Sciences to specialist level.
Desirable
- Experience of cross-site working and organisational change.
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
- MSc or FIBMS in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent level of knowledge
- Health and Care Professions Council registration.
Desirable
- Undertaking a management qualification
Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Promote and partake in Continuous Professional Development.
- Previous knowledge in Blood Sciences to specialist level.
SKILLS
Desirable
- Keyboard and IT related skills.
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Previous experience in Blood Sciences to specialist level.
Desirable
- Experience of cross-site working and organisational change.
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent qualification
- MSc or FIBMS in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent level of knowledge
- Health and Care Professions Council registration.
Desirable
- Undertaking a management qualification
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
