Deputy Service Manager

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Job overview

The Cellular Pathology service at UHL is one of the largest services in the UK, providing a service to both UHL, and other hospitals within the southern cluster of the ME2 pathology network. The UHL Cellular Pathology laboratory offers a full range of specialist testing including immunohistochemistry, molecular testing and electron microscopy.

As a HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist, the post holder will be a member of the departmental team and assist in the delivery of a quality driven, cost effective, patient focused service consistent with our service vision.

The post holder's main role is to be responsible for the Specials sub-division of the service, providing leadership, management, and specialist scientific guidance. The post holder will manage the delegated budget for the area.

The post holder will be expected to manage the area while maintaining a high level of scientific knowledge, leading others who perform specialised laboratory processes required to provide our reporting teams with diagnostic material.

This is a newly created post and we are looking for an established leader to work with clinical, scientific and administration staff to harness Leicester Pathology Services to become the best they can be.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will:

• be accountable for leading the teams within the Specials section of Cellular Pathology, developing, and implementing local strategic plans and ensuring achievement of performance objectives.
• work within the Cellular Pathology Management Team to provide operational business management and planning support across all service areas.
• deputise for the Cellular Pathology General Manger as appropriate.
• be accountable for the efficient and effective operational management of area of responsibility, guaranteeing provision of a high-quality clinical service.

Working for our organisation

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all,
• being a great place to work,
• partnerships for impact, and
• research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate,
• we are proud,
• we are inclusive, and
• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacanc...

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Manage the provision of service delivery in the specified area according to agreed departmental objectives by appropriate allocation of staff and material resources.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the service, providing expert advice on service delivery and resource requirements, including manpower planning.
• Ensure management and training of staff in their area is in accordance with the department's training plan and ensure that staff's duties are consistent with their competence.
• Manage staff in the area to include sickness absence, disciplinary, grievance and counselling issues.
• Develop effective communication channels with managed staff and other areas, both internal and external.
• Lead the area's staff recruitment and selection process as required; ensuring appropriate vacancy management policies are followed.
• Take an active role in departmental education activities including supervision and teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Assist medical staff in the interpretation of complex technical and scientific issues.
• Be responsible for ensuring the correct operation and control of instrumentation and equipment is undertaken.
• Be responsible for process management of the assigned area by resolving complex scientific and technical issues to ensure continuity of service.
• Act as Quality Manager/or in conjunction with the Quality Manager, be responsible for the application of the Quality Management System of the designated area. Lead the development and maintenance of quality standards for the designated area as required by national accreditation and monitoring organisations.
• Act as Health and Safety systems manager/or in conjunction with the Health and Safety Manager, and departmental Health and Safety Lead, be responsible for the application of the Health and Safety policy/standards of the designated area. Lead the development and maintenance of standards for the designated area as required by national accreditation and monitoring organisations.
• Be responsible for the production, implementation and ongoing review of Standard Operating Procedures and policies for use in the designated area, introducing changes as necessary and contribute to the development of departmental policies.
• Be responsible for monitoring internal and external quality assurance taking appropriate action to identify and correct problems. To take corrective action or escalate as appropriate.
• Be responsible for the evaluation and implementation of new equipment, methods, and practices for the section as appropriate.
• Maintain expert knowledge of current technological and scientific developments.
• Where appropriate, be responsible for the provision of 24/7 service provision within the area. Senior point of contact for emergencies in the designated area
• Maintain continual professional education and promote lifelong learning for managed staff.
• Perform, when necessary, the more complex or specialised analytical work of the section.
• Be responsible for the production and maintenance of statistical reports in the section.
• Ensure that personal work activity is managed to make effective use of time and resources.
• Contribute to discussions/forums etc affecting and the parent trusts as appropriate.
• Provide specialist knowledge as required for the parent trusts and Pathology wide service.
• Represent the service at Trust/wider Health Community meetings as appropriate.
• Be a member of Trust wide and Pathology Service wide groups as appropriate.
• Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be required, including deputising for the General Manager as appropriate.
• Participate in the Pathology Duty managers on call rota

Please see job description/ person specification for further details

Person specification

Qualification and Experience

Essential criteria

• HCPC registration
• MSc. or equivalent postgraduate qualification e.g. FIBMA
• Evidence of formal management training/recognized management qualification
• Significant experience of effectively managing day to day HR processes e.g. appraisal, absence management, recruitment, and performance management.
• Experience of managing and leading a significant section within the service.
• Awareness / knowledge of national and local Pathology and NHS agendas

Desirable criteria

• Good working knowledge of specialist areas other than own.
• Experience of NHS financial and admin systems
• Experience of working in a teaching hospital or other busy environment

Planning and organisation skills

Essential criteria

• Able to carry out workforce planning for a section of the service.
• Evidence of organisation of a broad range of programs pertaining to a section
• Demonstrable ability to develop strategies to meet objectives and work load demands

Other skills

Essential criteria

• Able to provide and receive highly complex information and able to communicate effectively with staff at all levels

Additional Information

Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.

Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.

UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.

The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.

COVID 19 Risk Assessment

Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.

The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.

If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.

Covid Vaccination Status

Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust holds the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and all that it stands for. We are committed to developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

• 8a DSM Specials JD&PS (PDF, 728.3KB)
• Understanding your right to work in the UK (PDF, 1.1MB)
• Employee Benefits (PDF, 578.5KB)