Pre-Analytical and Logistics Manager

at  Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Pre-Analytical and Logistics Manager to join our Pathology Department.
The post holder will be an experienced Healthcare Practitioner with a science-based degree qualification or equivalent, and demonstrable leadership skills. They will be responsible for the efficient delivery of the 24/7 pre-analytical service, and management of general pathology logistics across all sites.
Responsible for the effective delivery of a diagnostic pre analytical service across all MWL sites including transport, arrival, quality assurance, processing and distribution of samples through the department. Delivery of Key Performance Indicators appropriate to pre-analytical area.
Responsible for the effective performance of the pathology logistics team in stock ordering, receipt, movement, inventory and general management across all sites. Be able to order and maintain stock control in the appropriate environments to ensure stock is fit for purpose for patient tests/patient care.
Assurance of quality of sample integrity prior to laboratory analysis and test result reporting, including both clinical and research samples.
Overseeing performance management systems to ensure services meet agreed service specification including key performance indicators and other local and national targets.
Practice highly developed hand-eye coordination and dexterity skills for accuracy required in processing clinical sample materials and specialist laboratory equipment
Provide training to new staff using specialist knowledge of a range of biomedical procedures acquired through science degree and considerable post-graduate practical experience.
Ensure staff are suitably qualified, trained and competent to perform their roles, and receive appropriate professional development and training opportunities according to needs of the service and those identified at their annual appraisal.
Provide effective people management and performance measurement. This will include scheduling, deployment, team meetings, payroll and HR functions.
Motivate, encourage and engage teams and coach/mentor individuals to achieve and embrace organisational objectives, key performance indicators and new ways of working.
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

KEY DUTIES

Responsible for the effective delivery of a diagnostic pre analytical service across all sites including transport, arrival, quality assurance, processing, and distribution of samples through the department. Delivery of Key Performance Indicators appropriate to pre-analytical area.
Assurance of quality of sample integrity prior to laboratory analysis and test result reporting, including both clinical and research samples.
Responsible for the effective performance of the pathology logistics team in stock ordering, receipt, movement, inventory, and general management across all sites. Be able to order and maintain stock control in the appropriate environments to ensure stock is fit for purpose for patient tests/patient care.
Overseeing performance management systems to ensure services meet agreed service specification including key performance indicators and other local and national targets.
To resolve day to day management, technology and equipment issues in the departments for all aspects of the patient pathway.
Practice highly developed hand-eye coordination and dexterity skills for accuracy required in processing clinical sample materials and specialist laboratory equipment
To remedy where possible any instance or event which may cause a service delivery failure (which may also occur out of hours), including judgement on how to proceed during technical failures by making technical decisions, to ensure ongoing quality assurance of processes. Test and develop business continuity plans for local area and in conjunction with other Pathology departments to ensure ongoing service delivery for patient care.
Escalate incidents and disruptions appropriately.
Ensure there is sufficient staff to maintain the services, and lead and support in recruitment and selection of staff.
Responsible for the work allocation, activity and planning of the pre-analytical team.
Provide training to new staff using specialist knowledge of a range of biomedical procedures acquired through science degree and considerable post-graduate practical experience.
Ensure staff are suitably qualified, trained and competent to perform their roles, and receive appropriate professional development and training opportunities according to needs of the service and those identified at their annual appraisal.
Provide effective people management and performance measurement. This will include scheduling, deployment, team meetings, payroll and HR functions.
Motivate, encourage and engage teams and coach/mentor individuals to achieve and embrace organisational objectives, key performance indicators and new ways of working.
Participate in the applications of the Quality Management System in Pathology and the requirements of ISO 15189.
Prepare, review and update policies and procedures.
Ensure team compliance with health and safety regulations, and channel effective systems for the management, recording and reporting of risks, incidents, complaints, patient safety, audit, clinical effectiveness and COSHH.
Work with managers and colleagues to continually improve the quality and performance of services within the overall governance framework and within the guidelines required for accreditation and other governing bodies compliance.
Participate in service reviews to ensure all sites/areas are fit for purpose, within Service Level Agreements where applicable.
Contribute to the planning process for other services.
Utilising effective change management, people management and project management skills to implement projects within the department and deliver in a timely fashion.
Provide advice, guidance and training to colleagues and other stakeholders appropriate to scope.
Manage departmental meetings, including any associated actions.
Represent the departments at meetings and investigations as appropriate.
To contribute to the Annual Management Review as part laboratory Quality Management System.
Support the use of research and evidence-based learning to promote clinical excellence.
Support the maintenance of business continuity plans which may include being available in critical situations outside of regular working hours.
Delegate duties appropriately.
Deputise for Haematology Service lead within scope.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintain and promote the professional image of Pathology.
Quality assurance of all pre-analytical procedures
Pre-analytical quality/integrity checks of samples prior to analysis and test result reporting to ensure safe and efficient delivery of patient care.
Ensuring hand-eye coordination and accuracy required of pre-analytical procedures of themselves and the pre-analytical team.
Maintain good working relations with all members or staff and to promote effective teamwork.
Maintain an awareness of developments and provide suggestions for implementation as appropriate.
Keep the workplace safe, clean, and tidy.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

Implementation and management (including changes) of departmental standard operating procedures and other relevant documentation.
Implementation and management (including changes) of Trust standard operating procedures, for example for the Trust-wide sample Pod/Chute system.
Ensure that records are kept up to date and stored safely to ensure compliance with good working practices required by UKAS ISO: 15189:2022.
Comply with and enforce good laboratory practices required by UKAS ISO: 15189: 2022 including Health and Safety
Comply with the local and national policies for safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
Use the Pathology Computer System (LIMS) according to the SOPs.
Validation, verification and ongoing assurance of performance and accuracy of the pre-analytical performance of the Laboratory Information Management System.
Create and maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases and records Includes staff personnel files
Create specialist reports/documents using a range of software.
Use Trust wide I.T. systems as appropriate following Trust polices, guidelines and procedures.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

General management of the pre-analytical team
Recruiting and selecting pre-analytical staff
Managing staff leaving, including retirement of staff
Training of new, junior, and established staff and colleagues, and students
Professional supervision of the pre-analytical team supervisors and the general team (when required)
Undertake appraisals of the pre-analytical team including supervisors.
Absence management in line with Trust policy, including level/trigger meetings.
Assessing requirements for reasonable adjustments in line with the Trust Reasonable Adjustments Policy
Management of rostering and annual leave
Ensuring compliance of personal and pre-analytical team mandatory training
Ensuring ongoing competency and continued professional development of themselves and the preanalytical team.
Management of capability of staff in line with Trust Capability Policy
Carrying out disciplinary investigations and managing staff against Trust Disciplinary policy
Managing grievances in line with Trust Grievance Policy
Managing Organisational Change in line with Trust Organisational Change Policy
Supporting health and wellbeing of the pre-analytical team