Microbiology Deputy Laboratory Manager

The Royal Marsden has a vital role in championing change and improvement in cancer care through research and innovation, education and leading-edge practice. We are incredibly proud of our international reputation for pushing the boundaries and for our ground-breaking work ensuring our patients receive the very best and latest in cancer treatment and care.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Deputy Laboratory Manager (Microbiology), with good interpersonal skills and a committed team worker to join the Microbiology department, located at the Sutton site of The Royal Marsden Hospital. The major focus of the role will be supporting the Laboratory Manager in the service provision of a timely, cross-site clinically critical Microbiology Laboratory service covering Chelsea and Sutton, providing an expert diagnostic service both for its own lead clinician & IPC nursing leads and also particularly for those in the clinical haemato-oncology and Stem Cell Laboratory. The post holder will also act as the Health & Safety Lead for Pathology.

Applicants must have a relevant higher degree or equivalent, HCPC registration, evidence of post-registration study and basic management skills training. Experience of operational laboratory management is desirable.

The Trust encourages and supports continuing professional and personal development and Pathology runs a CPD Club. Staff benefits include child care facilities, car parking at Sutton and various sports and social activities.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for the day to day technical and operational management of the Medical Microbiology laboratory, ensuring appropriate and cost-effective purchasing arrangements for equipment and materials, and the delivery of training to BMS and other staff within the Department to ensure continuity of service at all times.

The post holder will lead in the development and validation of new techniques.

The post holder, working closely with the Laboratory Manager and the Laboratory Quality Lead will ensure ongoing compliance with ISO15189 and play a major role in UKAS inspections.

Working for our organisation

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Supervise and, in the absence of the Laboratory Manager, take responsibility for the service provision of the Medical Microbiology Laboratory. This will include all aspects of the clinical scientific & technical work, staff, equipment and quality system.
• To work with the Laboratory Manager to ensure that working practices meet current professional standards and legislation, and are documented, accessible and regularly reviewed.
• Data entry: Using the LIMS to receive and report sample requests.
• In addition to the LIMS, to oversee all IT software and hardware in use in the laboratories (for example, analyser software, interfaces), to evaluate before installation, to be fully conversant with functionality and ensure staff are trained in its use.
• To maintain up to date knowledge on all aspects of diagnostic laboratory microbiology.
• Working closely with the Laboratory Manager, the Pathology Quality Manager and the Laboratory Quality Lead, will ensure ongoing compliance with ISO15189 and play a major role in UKAS inspections, including but not restricted to, directing staff in the completion of related tasks, preparing documentation and ensuring all evidence required for the inspection is compliant with the standards.
• Undertake verification and validation of new equipment prior to service introduction, ensuring that it meets current requirements and ensure validation records are completed.

Person specification Skills & Abilities

• Ability to write clearly and concisely

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to express themselves clearly
• Ability to use Microsoft software or equivalent

Personal Qualities

• Evidence of personal development
• Enthusiasm for job and profession
• Ability to chair laboratory / departmental meetings
• Confident liaising with other areas
• Decision maker, can deal with unexpected situations
• Ability to present concepts imaginatively and clearly

Specific Experience

• HCPC registration
• Chartered Scientist status
• Evidence of continuing post registration study
• Higher degree or equivalent Qualification in specific area of laboratory service or expertise
• Significant post registration experience in relevant field(s)
• Evidence of understanding of relevant laboratory Health & Safety procedures and risk
• Full understanding of ISO15189 standards
• Ability to deal with incidents and plan follow up actions
• Basic management skills training

Skills & Abilities

• Good interpersonal skills
• Good telephone manner, diplomatic
• Ability to perform complex scientific calculations and data analysis
• Ability to perform statistical analysis of data & interpretation
• Understanding of relationship between laboratory investigations and clinical practice
• Awareness of clinical significance of laboratory findings and implications for patients
• Ability to review anomalous / unexpected findings and take further appropriate action

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. Please ensure your information is accurate to avoid errors with processing your application

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

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.