The place to work in pathology We are looking for top talent to join the UK’s leading and fastest growing pathology company – a scientific organisation with a clinical purpose. Working in partnership with our service partners, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals, King’s College Hospital and Princess Royal University Hospital we aim to set the standard for the future of pathology. Job overview The place to work in pathology! Synnovis is a scientific organisation with a clinical purpose and is part of SYNLAB Group, Europe’s leading provider of laboratory diagnostic services. Working in partnership with Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals, King’s College Hospital, Princess Royal University Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals and local CCG networks. Our organisation brings together the very best in clinical, scientific and operational expertise, and displays in action the core values at the heart of our brand: science for life, collaboration for the benefit of everyone, and innovation and quality We aim to set the standard for the future of pathology. As Department Lead you will support Operational Management in the day-to-day line management in CSR of departmental Team Managers and pre-analytical MLAs. You will work closely with the Specimen Reception Manager, scientific employees and external customers, to ensure all specimens and samples are managed effectively. You will play a key role in the delivery and referral of pathology services, in line with our corporate objectives. Main duties of the job You will hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment. These will include, but are not limited to: Responsible for the day-to-day management of your section in CSR including the smooth running of logistics, rota management and other supporting functions reporting to the Specimen Reception Manager. Line manage employees, as required. This includes delivering all aspects of people management, such as recruitment, performance management, absence management, learning and development, employee health and wellbeing. Be the first point of escalation for any administrative or pre analytical enquiries. Work with the Logistics teams to report and resolve issues relating to transportation of specimens. Troubleshoot and escalate anything that will impact the service continuity This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who is looking to further develop senior managerial skills. Candidates must have excellent communication & IT skills, and be able to adapt under pressure. A positive professional attitude and being committed to improving pre and post analytical processes are key. Candidates must be flexible with time, as weekday shift working, occasional weekend work and on call rotation will be scheduled. Working hours are between 8am-9pm. Working for our organisation Synnovis is renowned in the field for the excellent development opportunities provided to our colleagues, whether in operations or corporate. We sponsor events at IBMS Congress, develop learning pathways such as the Accelerated Graduate Training Programme, Scientific Apprenticeships and have set up mentoring schemes to spot and develop those interested in the profession. A little about the lab and us: Central Specimen Reception (CSR) is a very fast paced, busy, happy and somewhat challenging environment to work in. The team is dedicated to providing customers and service users with the best outcomes and work diligently to achieve set goals. CSR is a multi-award winning department within the Organisation. Central Specimen Reception based at Synnovis Hub Blackfriars Road providing pre and post-analytical support service to Synnovis Laboratories, GP’s, External Trusts and Private Patients. CSR also provide a section for referring tests and clinical trials. The main CSR reception area is based on the Ground Floor, Synnovis Hub Blackfriars Road and operates on a 24/7 service. Central Specimen Reception (CSR) team are expected to regularly and effectively communicate to colleagues within the department and also various other Synnovis colleagues across Services, Analytics & Group. Your development and learning: You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications. Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings. There are also management pathway for those who are interested in management development. Also encouraging internal promotion and development within the department. Detailed job description and main responsibilities Duties and Responsibilities 1. Manage and organise your team of CSR MLAs and Team Managers to maintain general laboratory procurement, supplies and materials. Ensure that workload is distributed appropriately and fairly, to ensure skills are deployed accordingly and items are processed quickly and accurately in readiness for transportation to relevant Laboratory. 2. Identify and prioritise urgent work to ensure that deadlines are met, escalate to Specimen Reception Manager as necessary. 3. Use LIMS to accurately record sensitive patient information, requiring frequent, long periods of concentration, whilst maintaining patient confidentiality and following Information Governance (IG) guidelines. 4. Ensure the safe referral of samples out of Synnovis for dispatch to other laboratories or hospitals; receiving samples dispatched from other laboratories and ensuring results are transcribed accurately when returned. 5. Manage and where necessary cover, CSR duties including receiving, receipting and processing of specimens, preventative maintenance of pre-analytical instruments and equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), ensuring all data is recorded and handled accurately. 6. Understand hazards and risks of working in a laboratory and use adequate precautions and personal protective equipment at all times. 7. Safely handle, use and dispose of biological specimens including infectious material or hazardous chemicals according to laboratory and health and safety protocols. 8. Ensure all new deliveries are appropriately unpacked and receipted. 9. Ensure all laboratory samples, consumables and equipment are appropriately stored and maintained in line with SOPs, health and safety guidelines and recording protocols. 10 Report all incidents and adverse events to Specimen Reception Manager and enter the information in the CAPA module of Q-pulse in a timely manner. 11. Participate in quality management activities including inspections, audits, investigations and risk assessment monitoring. 12. Utilise Q-Pulse quality monitoring system and other application software according to authorised protocols. 13 Provide specialist administrative support, including submission of operational performance data and technical advice for section. 14. Manage and organise your team of CSR MLAs and Team Managers taking line management ownership of HR processes, such as recruitment and selection, performance monitoring and managing poor performance and dealing with sickness absence. 15. Work with Training Lead and ensure appropriate competency training is delivered. Support induction, training and competency sign-off of new employees in own area. 16. Compile staff rotas and manage unplanned absence utilising staff/skill mix across the department. 17 Manage any temporary staffing requisition, approve time sheets and manage overtime. 18 Use departmental resources efficiently and apply good stock management of reagents, consumables and stationery; this includes appropriate stock control audits and maintaining accurate records. 19. Demonstrate professionalism, patience and empathy when explaining technical issues, in particular when communicating with people who do not share same level of knowledge or understanding. 20. Support the introduction of new systems by being a change advocate, and active mentor and a tutor to junior staff. 21 Review, propose amendments and implement changes in relevant documents, including SOPs, COSHH and risk assessments in line with the ISO 15189 standards, which may have an impact on other departments. Person specification Qualifications Essential criteria • Good all round education to GCSE standard. Desirable criteria • Leadership or management qualification or attendance on in-house courses Experience Essential criteria Supervising, training and inducting junior employees Recruitment and selection 24/7 Rota management Communicating with a range of customers and healthcare professionals Collating and reporting on data Quality management systems and processes Desirable criteria Previous experience managing a reception department within Pathology Management of disciplinary issues • Leading/managing teams through change Skills & Knowledge Essential criteria Ability to deal with conflict constructively Ability to communicate and manage relationships with diverse groups and levels of people including internal and external customers Ability to manage effectively in dynamic environment with multiple conflicting priorities Knowledge of pre-analytical and specimen reception requirements for UKAS accreditation Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills Good understanding of Microsoft Office Ability to prioritise work and manage a team effectively Ability to manage own and other workloads, under pressure in a busy environment Ability to communicate appropriately and professionally to staff/people at different levels Desirable criteria Good knowledge of laboratory health and safety policies and regulations Working knowledge of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Ability to lift, move and manipulate stock, specimens etc. Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy. Our Bank workers enjoy competitive market rates and flexible contract assignments across all of our sites, dependent on your availability and location. For our Permanent workforce w e offer a competitive benefits package. All employees are entitled to: Contributory pension scheme Generous annual leave entitlement Ground breaking development opportunities Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role. Please apply for this post on-line. If you have problems with using the online process, or need any assistance, please email [email protected] Your e-mail address is important to us. We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis. Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. If you decide to apply for this post but do not hear back from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been short-listed on this occasion. Thank you for your interest in Synnovis. Further details / informal visits contact Name Amos Emoike Job title CSR Site Manager Email address [email protected] If you have problems applying, contact Address Synnovis Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Telephone 01629 702340