Deputy Operations Lead

Job description

Job responsibilities

At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.

Operational Management

• Responsible for the day to day running of a sub section of the Cancer Genetics service.
• Monitor the performance of the service section and generate weekly operational performance management (OPMS) reports.
• Provide the Operational Lead with regular progress reports on the delivery of an accurate, modern and efficient diagnostic service.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of relevant operating procedures and management policies ensuring that standards are met and are compliant with ISO 15189 standards.
• Responsible for the quality and efficiency of the service section through internal quality control, clinical audit, and local/national audit activities including participation in relevant External Quality Assurance schemes (UK-NEQAS/CEQAS).
• Responsible for maintaining and if necessary, improving turnaround times. Responsible for troubleshooting analyser/assay failures within the service section.
• Responsible for ensuring that equipment is maintained to the standards required by the department and by relevant legislation.
• Implementation of measures for cost improvement and cost effectiveness. Proactive escalation of issues which have the potential to impact on service delivery to the Operational Lead.
• Responsible for risk and COSHH assessments relating to all aspects of the service section.
• Responsible for the development and delivery of a clear operational plan for the service section, achieving relevant quality and safety standards and activity levels within budget
• Participation in the development and delivery of the operational plan for the Genetics Service Delivery Unit.

Clinical Service Provision

• Lead work within your discipline requiring a very high level of clinical and scientific expertise, providing advice and guidance to clinicians on the correct investigations to perform and interpret complex results. Also perform complex and specialised scientific work that demands high levels of clinical and analytical expertise
• Provide a high level of expertise for the analysis of samples from patients referred for cancer genetic testing.
• Report and authorise complex abnormal patient reports produced by the service section.
• Authorise patient reports produced by the laboratory from other operational service lines if appropriate to training and experience.
• In conjunction with Clinical Leads and Operational Leads, advise on best practice, patient diagnosis and prognosis relating to cancer genetic tests.

Research, Innovation and Development

• Lead in the strategic development of the analytical service. Manage the introduction and implementation of new techniques, equipment and tests to realise patient and corporate benefits.
• Initiate and oversee the implementation of new techniques, equipment, and tests including all verification and validation work. Where necessary, including analysing clinical trial samples.
• Provide accurate costing for laboratory processes, business cases and contracts.
• Produce business cases necessary for development of the service.
• Work with relevant clinical leads on service development in line with local, national and international needs, and the requirements of speciality networks.
• Participate in departmental audit programmes.
• Participate in academic seminars, group learning sessions and journal clubs.
• Participate in the dissemination of research findings through presentations at local, national and international meetings and through publications in scientific journals, as appropriate.

External Duties

• Supervise and monitor, EQA and IQC reports and ensure any required corrective action is taken.
• Ensure compliance with all legislative and quality requirements of regulatory directives, accreditation bodies, and local management including:

Care Quality Commission

UKAS

Synnovis policies and SOPs

Any other body in area of responsibility

The Cancer Genetics team is committed to the National School of Healthcare Scientist (NSHCS) Scientific Training Program (STP) and Higher Specialist Training Program (HSST) and staff are encouraged to participate in the Royal College of Pathology examination programs (FRCPath part 1 and part 2).

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.

The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.

The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.

Guys and St Thomas Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Womens Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Childrens Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guys site.

You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in an appropriate biological science
• HCPC State registration as a Clinical Scientist in genetics / cancer genetics / molecular pathology
• PhD or equivalent in a discipline related to cancer genetics/molecular pathology or FRCPath Part 1 in Molecular Pathology of Acquired Disease (MPAD)/Genetics
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)

Desirable

• Quality or Management qualification

Experience

Essential

• Experience as a HCPC registered clinical scientist with a detailed working knowledge of cancer genomics
• Significant expert practical laboratory experience within genetics/cancer genetics
• Research and development experience in cancer genetics or genetics with evidence of publications and presentations
• Evidence of providing education relating to molecular genetics/pathology of cancer at an expert level
• Significant experience in and ability to cascade training in analysis, interpretation and technical validation of routine, complex and specialist cancer genetic results
• Evidence of successful troubleshooting activities for highly technical and precision equipment and assays

Desirable

• Project management
• Experience of assay design, evaluation and validation; and translation into diagnostic service
• Experience authorising clinical diagnostic reports for patients referred for cancer genetic testing.

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Experience of day-to-day management of a scientific team
• Knowledge of the correct policies and procedures to implement in relation to quality systems, with reference to ISO15189 standards
• Knowledge of the management of laboratory procedures, including following Health and Safety legislation and procedures

Desirable

• Audit training
• Evidence of writing and reviewing standard operating procedures (SOPs)

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Synnovis Analytics

Address

St. Thomas’ Hospital

Westminster Bridge Road

London

SE1 7EH

Employer's website

http://www.synnovis.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)