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 This is an exciting new opportunity to join our Blood Sciences department in Synnovis Analytics. The department is one of the largest consolidated Blood Sciences Laboratories in a new purpose-built Hub laboratory based at Blackfriars in London. We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated and proactive individual to join our department in a newly created full time, permanent Team Manager post. This role supports the Operational Managers and the team of Biomedical Scientists in the day-to-day supervision and coordination of the Floor 2 Reception area and the team of Medical Laboratory Assistants. You will be reporting to the Operations Managers and hold a variety of responsibilities to ensure the successful delivery of Blood Sciences services, in line with our corporate objectives. The ideal candidate will be a quick learner and good team player and this is a great opportunity for a candidate looking to advance and enhance their current knowledge and experience working on fully automated track systems and for the development of people management and supervision skills. Following appropriate training, operating and maintaining the GLP track and some of the automated analysers may be expected from the candidate. The post holder will join our team of Core staff, working mainly day and late shifts. Occasionally, you will be expected to assist with weekend and bank holiday working if necessary. Main duties of the job This role is based on Floor 2 in the Hub, Blood Sciences Laboratory which is part of Synnovis Analytics, and responsible for the provision of pathology testing services to Synnovis’ patients and customers. You will work as a Track master for automated systems and support on the routine maintenances of instruments used in automated analysis and hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment. Some of the core responsibilities include, but not limited to: Receive, receipt and process specimens in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), ensuring all data is recorded and handled accurately. Support in recruitment and selection of MLAs. Day-to-day supervision of MLAs to ensure they carry out their duties in accordance with established policies and procedures. Be the first point of contact and resolution for any administrative or pre-analytical enquiries. Support in the induction, training and competency sign-off of new employees in own area. Plan your own work and support those under supervision, delegating work accordingly and adjusting plans to ensure rota is covered. Provide administrative support to all areas, as appropriate and dependent on experience and training. Handle and manage samples, in line with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and assessed competencies. Rotate around the laboratory to ensure a broad range of understanding and knowledge is cultivated. Working for our organisation 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. 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. Detailed job description and main 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. Key Responsibilities Handle and manage samples, in line with SOPs and assessed competencies. Organise day-to-day tasks, identifying and prioritising urgent work to ensure that deadlines are met, and to the highest standards possible. Escalate to senior member of staff, as necessary. Ensure rota is covered and implement plans to reassign work or cover gaps as required. Perform and supervise cleaning activities, prepare pre-analytical equipment, perform daily checks, environmental monitoring and waste management activities, and complete all required paperwork. Prepare specimens and perform manual, semi-automated and fully-automated processes within training parameters and where appropriate under supervision. Work with Training Lead and ensure appropriate competency training is delivered. Demonstrate professionalism, patience and empathy when explaining technical issues, in particular when communicating with people who do not share the same level of knowledge or understanding. Undertake preventative maintenance and troubleshooting on pre-analytical instruments and equipment. Safely handle, use and dispose of biological specimens including infectious material or hazardous chemicals according to laboratory and health and safety protocols. Understand hazards and risks of working in a laboratory and use adequate precautions and personal protective equipment at all times. Ensure all laboratory samples, consumables and equipment are appropriately stored and maintained in line with SOPs, health and safety guidelines and recording protocols. Supervise MLAs by mentoring and ensuring performance is in line with laboratory standards. Report and record all incidents and adverse events under the direction of the senior members of staff. Answer the telephone, deal with calls politely and professionally, escalating requests when necessary to appropriate senior staff or departments. Perform specimen reception duties including checking details, receiving and logging patient requests on to the LIMS. Process referral specimens, receive samples dispatched from other laboratories and prepare samples for despatch to other laboratories or hospitals. Seek practical advice from more experienced colleagues, including alignment with requirements of accreditation bodies and local management processes. Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s 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. Person specification Qualifications Essential criteria Good all-round education to GCSE standard including English and Maths at grade 4/C or equivalent or L2 Healthcare Science apprenticeship A Level / BTEC in Science or L3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship or L4 Healthcare Science Apprenticeship or equivalence experience Desirable criteria Willingness to attend relevant courses and undertake training as required such as Management qualification or relevant degree Experience Essential criteria Supervising, training or inducting junior employees Working as part of a team Working in a busy, pressured environment Handling of biological specimens Working with Laboratory Information Systems Experience of working accurately with an attention to detail Desirable criteria Working in an automated pathology laboratory environment Supporting rota management, recruitment and selection Specimen receipt and preparation procedure for biomedical testing Using standard pre-analytical laboratory equipment Skills & Knowledge Essential criteria Good written and verbal communication skills Organised and methodical Competent at problem solving and prioritising Ability to communicate with other professionals at all levels Willingness and ability to learn complex operating procedures and follow guidelines Desirable criteria Ability to perform technical laboratory processes and procedures, use precision equipment and troubleshoot Training staff in laboratory procedures 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 Azzaya Munkhtsetseg Job title Operations Manager Email address [email protected] If you have problems applying, contact Address Synnovis Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Telephone 01629 702340