Deputy Operations Manager

• The Department of Blood Sciences is comprised of Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology/Blood Transfusion and Immunology.
• The Blood Sciences Department is located at both the Freeman and RVI hospital sites whilst providing a service to the whole Trust and to Primary Care as well as being a regional and national reference laboratory for other Trusts.
• The post holder will manage all technical staff in Blood Sciences (Senior BMS, BMS, Trainee BMS, Associate Practitioners, Senior Healthcare Science Assistants, Healthcare Science Assistants (HCSA) and clerical staff).
• The post holder is responsible for the provision of an effective scientific service within the Blood Sciences Department, to The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners, other NHS Trusts and other users of the service. This will involve using highly developed knowledge and organisational skills and the post holder will be the lead specialist in that field (shown in the organisation chart).
• To provide specialised scientific knowledge and to work as a member of the team to assess, plan and contribute to the provision of a specialised service.
• Routinely operate laboratory equipment, including microscopy where necessary, reporting all appropriate specimens and referring any abnormalities on for medical opinion.
• To provide a patient focussed service in relevant wards and clinics. This involves capillary or venous phlebotomy services and providing a near patient testing service so that immediate results are issued for action by clinical staff.
• To ensure laboratory diagnostic tests and procedures - including those on "High Risk" specimens - are performed accurately and efficiently and judgement used in determining if further tests / procedures are necessary.
• To use advanced levels of knowledge and experience to coordinate activity in all laboratory and point of care areas whilst directing other staff members.
• To assess all blood and body fluid samples and report all cases not requiring medical opinion.
• To undertake internal and external quality control of all aspects of the Blood Sciences test repertoire to ensure highest quality of service from all performed tests.
• To ensure laboratory diagnostic tests and procedures are performed accurately and efficiently and results validated macroscopically and microscopically and judgement used in determining if further tests/procedures are necessary.
• To ensure that the performance of laboratory equipment within the section complies with standards and in the event of failure or mal-function takes prompt and appropriate action to ensure continued running of the section.
• To ensure that Blood Sciences conforms to all internally and externally defined quality standards.
• To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for you, colleagues and visitors. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances.

• Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
• Freeman Hospital
• Newcastle Dental Hospital
• Cramlington Manor Walks
• Urgent treatment centres
• Newcastle Fertility Centre
• Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
• Northern Genetics Service

Essential

• Accredited Degree
• Registration with Health and Care Professions Council
• Further specialist qualification (Fellowship of Institute of Biomedical Science/Masters degree)

Desirable

• Management qualification

Essential

• Evidence of effective leadership skills
• Strong analytical, organisational and planning skills
• Able to understand complex problems quickly and to identify workable solutions
• Evidence of effective team building skills
• Ability to multitask
• Good hand eye co-ordination

Desirable

• Keyboard and IT related skills

Essential

• Previous experience in a Senior BMS role with supervisory responsibilities in a Blood Sciences related discipline
• Extensive experience and in depth specialist knowledge of Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology or Immunology
• Broad experience of all the main sections of a Blood Sciences related discipline
• Promote and partake in Continuous Professional Development
• Firm understanding of UKAS accreditation requirements
• Experience of implementing automation in Blood Sciences
• Experience of writing SOPs
• Experience of quality issues in Blood Sciences (Audit, EQA & IQC)
• Practical experience of management
• Experience in training
• Working knowledge of Health & Safety issues
• Experience of problem solving and maintaining and trouble shooting equipment
• Sound working knowledge of the Data Protection Act

Desirable

• Experience of dealing with grievance procedures
• Experience of Appraisal system
• Experience of stock control
• Experience of and training in undertaking staff appraisals