Deputy Head of Cellular Therapy Laboratory

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:
• The post holder will act as the Quality lead for the Cellular Therapy Laboratory, ensuring with the Head of Department, that a robust Quality Management programme is in place. Participate in the integration of quality control across the clinical transplant programme to ensure effective service provision and the maintenance of the Trust HTA licence and JACIE accreditation.
• Liaise daily with the Head of the Cellular Therapy Laboratory to ensure that the agreed quality standards of service are maintained as outlined in the CTL Quality Manual and in accordance with clinical requirements.
• Deputise for the Head of Department in their absence, supervising and taking responsibility for the timely and efficient service provision of all aspects of the clinical, scientific and technical work of the Cellular Therapy Laboratory
• Service Planning: Contribute to future service planning, business cases, and integration of research and clinical innovations.
About You
• Extensive experience in cellular therapy, stem cell processing, and laboratory quality systems.
• Strong knowledge of GMP standards, HTA requirements, and JACIE accreditation.
• Proven leadership and team development skills in a clinical laboratory setting.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities with a variety of clinical stakeholders.
• A proactive, organised, and quality-driven approach to service delivery.
• Collaborative Engagement: Work with multidisciplinary teams including transplant coordinators, consultants, and quality managers to deliver high standards of patient care.
• Training and Development: Mentor and supervise staff, ensure up-to-date training records, lead appraisals, and foster an environment of continuous professional development.
• Operational Leadership: Support the Head of CTL in daily operations, staff management, and service continuity.
• Quality Lead: Drive and maintain a robust laboratory Quality Management System, support audits, manage non-conformances, and oversee document control.
• Technical Expertise: Maintain competency in cleanroom procedures, stem cell processing, and GMP-compliant practices including cryopreservation and product release.

Person specification

Skills

Essential criteria

• Advanced communication skills in all media including e-mail and phone
• Ability to lecture and facilitate learning meetings
• Ability to produce documents of publishable standard
• Ability to use in-house IT systems
• Competent in use of main Microsoft software applications
• Educational qualification in mathematics
• Ability to perform complex scientific calculations & data analysis
• Ability to perform statistical analysis of data & interpretation
• Able to deal with advanced trouble shooting in all laboratory areas

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Evidence of proven commitment to continued personal and professional development
• Enthusiasm for job and profession
• Specific career plan and educational aspirations
• Authoritative in dealing with staff
• Confident liaising with other areas
• Proven leadership skills
• Ability to motivate & influence laboratory staff
• Decision maker, can deal with unexpected situations
• Proactive, receptive to new ideas Ability to present concepts imaginatively and clearly
• Ability to formulate laboratory policies

Specific Experience

Essential criteria

• Relevant scientific degree, HCPC registration
• Evidence of continuing post registration study
• Higher degree or equivalent
• Experience post registration in relevant field(s)
• Evidence of leadership/supervisory skills
• Evidence of maintenance of practical skill
• Full understanding of Trust and National policies
• Knowledge of risk management and clinical governance issues
• Ability to organise rotas and work plans with a view to managing changing deadlines or situations
• Ability to plan for Trust targets
• Full understanding of departmental quality management, internal & external
• Full understanding of JACIE/HTA accreditation standards
• Ability to deal with incidents and plan follow up actions

Desirable criteria

• Chartered Scientist status
• Qualification in specific area of laboratory service or expertise
• Mentoring skills
• Aware of NHS plans, Cancer Plan

Management Experience

Essential criteria

• Full understanding of relevant departmental and NHS Trust organisational and logistical issues
• Understanding of relevant current financial issues
• Ability to manage a budget and identify/deliver CIP plans
• Full understanding of HR policies, issues and their management
• Ability to manage change
• Experience in staff recruitment and selection

Clinical Responsibility

Essential criteria

• Understanding of relationship between laboratory investigations and clinical practice
• Awareness of clinical significance of laboratory findings and implications for patients

The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.

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. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.

All applicants will be contacted by email to the address supplied on your application. Applicants are advised to check their email accounts regularly and to ensure that email filters are set to allow our emails.

Flu Vaccination - What We Expect of our Staff

At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.

The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

• Job description and person specification (PDF, 442.5KB)
• Job Features Form (PDF, 110.5KB)
• Royal Marsden Trust Values (PDF, 715.5KB)
• Workplace Wellbeing and Rewards Guide (PDF, 1.2MB)