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Neuropathology Service Manager / Section lead

Posting date:	14 May 2025
Salary:	£46,148.00 to £52,809.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£46148.00 - £52809.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	28 May 2025
Location:	PLYMOUTH, PL6 8DH
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	C9216-25-0603

Summary

1 Principal Job Duties/Main Tasks 1.1 Take technical and managerial charge of the technical service provided by Neuropathology and other specialist sections, ensuring results are produced in an accurate and timely manner. 1.2 To be responsible for the quality of work within the area and ensure that all staff working in this area meet the necessary standards of speed, quality and accuracy, appropriate to the level of experience and training. 1.3 To be responsible for the implementation and management of all internal and external quality control/quality assurance systems in the Neuropathology and other specialist sections and other specialist sections to continue to develop and coordinate laboratory policies for these systems. 1.4 Develop, coordinate and maintain the Departments programme of continuous service review in accordance with internal and external quality control systems and within the Trusts framework of continuous quality and service improvement, such as developments like Digital Pathology. 1.5 Assist in the process of continuous quality improvement. This will include audit, corrective action, preventative action and improvement processes. 1.6 To be responsible for the promotion, identification and implementation of efficiency measures within the section. Work with technical leads in the other sections to ensure that efficiency measures identified within the Department are implemented. 1.7 To be proactive in and participate in continuous professional development (CPD) in accordance with Departmental and professional need and encourage the staff within the Department to do the same. Ensure that best practice is achieved in all areas of the service. 1.8 To be responsible for ensuring that all procedures relevant to the area of work are written and participate in this process. Ensure that procedures, protocols and policies within the section are implemented, maintained, reviewed, updated and audited when necessary. Contribute to the production of procedures that may impact on other areas within the laboratory and suggest any changes that may improve the current level of service throughout the Department. 1.9 To be responsible for implementing any procedural changes that are required and disseminate information relating to them. 1.10 To ensure the accurate maintenance of all records, pertaining to the activities of the section that may be required of the post. 1.11 To be responsible for maintenance of adequate stocks of reagent and consumables to ensure continuous service provision of the Neuropathology service, Electron Microscopy and other specialist sections of the Department. To have a joint responsibility for stock levels of consumables that are common to other sections of the Department, ensure that these stock levels are maintained and that all storage areas are safe and tidy. Make any orders on the Trusts electronic requisitioning and ordering system (ORACLE). Ensure value for money is achieved for all purchasing. 1.12 Take responsibility for the Neuropathology budget and ensure that budgetary and financial control is monitored monthly and maintained at a level that is acceptable to the Trust. 1.13 To be an authorised signaturee for expenses and overtime payments incurred by Neuropathology staff. 1.14 Prepare and provide statistical, financial and other information as required. 1.15 Monitor information to assist with audit and survey. This relates to the collation, review and correlation of data for clinical audit, reporting and research purposes. It includes the reporting of notifiable disease to Central agencies and the conduct of audits and surveys which may be required for national, regional or local purposes. 1.16 To be responsible for auditing all management, technical and health and safety functions within the section. 1.17 Keep up to date with health and safety requirements and be responsible for the Health and Safety of the department. Comply with and ensure compliance of other grades of staff with local and national regulations. 1.18 Achieve targets set by the Trust and during Personal Development Review. 1.19 Ensure that the necessary communication and relationship skills are maintained to facilitate the smooth running of the section. 1.20 Continue to develop the service in line with local and national needs and guidelines to ensure users needs are met in full. 1.21 Support and maintain income generation initiatives within the section and the Department and undertake work from any source 1.22 Take the responsibility for implementation of new equipment within Neuropathology and other specialist sections. Ensure the adequacy of maintenance, repair, servicing and safety of specialist, complex scientific equipment within the section and ensure that staff record all necessary information. Take necessary action in the event of equipment failure and during maintenance visits to ensure that the level of service delivery is optimised. Together with other section heads, take a shared responsibility for the fabric of the building. 1.23 To organise and when necessary, take part in the collection and preparation of specimens in other areas of Hospital, or off site, as and when necessary. 1.24 Provide complex information relating to test results which are frequently sensitive in nature. Deal with enquiries with tact, diplomacy and empathy whilst maintaining strict confidentiality. 1.25 Ensure that all paper held records, slides, blocks and diagnostic specimens are safely filed in the correct location for future use and reference by authorised personnel. 1.26 Ensure that satisfactory records of reports are maintained throughout the section to ensure swift retrieval of information on both hard copy and computer held records. 1.27 To support the implementation and ongoing development of the laboratory computer system. 1.28 To represent Neuropathology and other specialist sections at all relevant meetings. 1.29 To carry out all work to specified standards laid down by the professional bodies including the Institute of Biomedical Scientists (IBMS), Health Professions Council (HPC) and United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). 1.30 Ensure that the core hours of the section are continuously covered by the appropriate staff grade and encourage any use of flexible working hours that may be required to optimise the service. 1.31 As lead BMS for your area, give high level advice on correct specimen treatment, storage and processing requirements. Determine the necessary pathway required for the specimen to enable the optimisation of preservation of patient material that facilitates the correct interpretation of the pathology of the material submitted for examination. 1.32 Communicate any difficulties, problems, accidents or incidents affecting the delivery of the service or that might compromise the Department, or the Trust, to the Head of Neuropathology and the Head of Department for Cellular & Anatomical Pathology, as soon after the event as possible. 1.33 Respond to any complaint that may be made of the service. 1.34 To be responsible for the establishment of a flexible working system within the section, that maximises the utilisation of equipment and responds to the changing requirements of the users. 1.35 To help organise and take part in any flexible working arrangements agreed and allowed under Trust and/or local rules. 1.36 Play a key role in the long-term planning of the service. This will include identification of future staffing, equipment and consumable needs. 1.37 Participate in the annual management review. Write a report on the Neuropathology and other specialist sections section for inclusion in the Departmental Annual Report. 1.38 Ensure that the necessary standards of security are maintained throughout Neuropathology and other specialist sections and any area used for storage. 1.39 Ensure that adequate communication channels are maintained to ensure the smooth operation of the relevant sections. 1.40 Take an active part in the health and safety of the sections worked and comply with, and ensure compliance of, other grades of staff with local and national regulations. 1.41 Provide advice and guidance to other section managers and Departmental staff on Health and Safety issues. 1.42 To carry out any other duties commensurate with the post. For further details please see the attached JD & PS