Virology & Molecular Training Section Manager/ Trainee Section Manager inCoventry inCoventry PUBLISHED 18 NOV 2024

Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Services (CWPS) is a large, long standing Pathology Network in the South Midlands, and our Virology and Molecular Pathology services (VAMP) are across two main sites; University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire in Coventry and the George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton.

VAMP is a multi-disciplinary department responsible for the operational delivery of not only infectious disease testing but also the delivery of genomics testing for both Blood Sciences and Cellular Pathology. The department operates a 24/7 service. As departmental Training Section Manager, you will be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of all elements of the departmental training program.

We are in the process of updating all of our equipment following the implementation of a new managed service contract, and we offer a large repertoire of tests across the two sites. Therefore, there is an opportunity to engage with this on-going transformation of the service and as departmental Training Lead, you will be pivotal in ensuring the safe and effective delivery of these new services as part of the Section Manager team.

We are looking for a dynamic, organised individual who is able to communicate with a wide array of staff, as well as someone who is able to work well within a team and who can also work autonomously when needed.

• Co-ordination of discipline training programme including CBTR's, competency assessments, generic and specialist portfolios, and other formal qualifications.
• Facilitate compliance to PDR's and mandatory training in conjunction with performance section manager.
• Develop and maintain external links with training providers e.g. universities.
• Attend external training/meetings and incorporate learning into Network service improvements.
• Organise, prepare and deliver formal training sessions for staff in discipline.
• Daily manage and monitor staff in the performance of routine and specialised diagnostic services on patient and environmental samples containing potentially infectious material including blood, urine, faeces, sputum and tissue specimens using complex and highly specialised techniques to exacting medical and scientific standards according to standard operating procedures. Perform such diagnostic tests when necessary.
• Design and plan departmental rotas, allocate and reallocate work schedules for themselves and the team and determine work priorities to meet service needs.
• Support the Department Manager in the planning, development, co-ordination and evaluation of the pathology service, and deputise for the Pathology Department Manager as required.

About us

• Record, and validate results when required. Interpret complex results, and authorise individual reports from the team in electronic form and / or verbally to persons authorised to receive them e.g. Medical, nursing and non-medical staff.
• Is proficient in the use of the Quality Management system, ensuring the effective development and/or management of all controlled documentation, non-conformities and audit reports within the system.
• Co-ordinates external and internal quality assurance schemes and supervises compliance with the departmental audit schedules, reviews findings, and implements service changes and improvements where necessary.
• Manages the propagation and maintenance of all laboratory aspects of the ISO/CPA standards and MHRA requirements, HTA regulations, HSE requirements and any other statutory regulations, and ensure the delivery of services in line with the principles of these standards and requirements throughout CWPS.
• Ensures quality assurance procedures are adhered to and all necessary internal records are maintained. Collates data for and leads departmental meetings and proposes and implements change as appropriate, ensuring clear lines of communication at all times.
• Manages and monitors maintenance on routine and complex equipment to ensure accuracy and precision of results. Provides specialist support for staff to troubleshoot faults and take appropriate action to maintain the patient service.
• Takes responsibility within the laboratory for achieving and maintaining all local and national performance targets. Management of KPIs (key performance indicators) including prioritising work to achieve turnaround times, managing staff attendance, and attaining and sustaining PDR and mandatory training compliance.
• Collect, interpret and collate in an agreed format, information when required for presentation e.g. for departmental Operational Board reports and quality meetings
• Propose, oversee and develop the implementation of new techniques, equipment and working practices including supporting any management of change processes which require implementation.
• Provide and receive specialist departmental knowledge, to and from staff and service users.
• Manage and maintain stocks of materials, reagents, consumables and equipment, ensuring the most economical use of non-pay resources, identifying areas of cost improvement.
• Deal with difficult and complicated telephone enquiries, such as complaints, record information and complete follow up reports when necessary.

For further details of the job role please see attached job description.

** Completion of IBMS Specialist Diploma or equivalent is required and MUST be stated in application. **

Completion of a level 7 qualification (MSc. IBMS HSD or equivalent) is essential for a Band 7 Section Manager post. Applications arealso invited from candidates who are working towards this. Such applicants, if successful, will be appointed as a Trainee SectionManager and paid at Band 6 until completion of the qualification.