Quality Officer

Site: Friars Bridge Court/Guy's and St Thomas

Town: London

Salary: £51,488 to £57,802 per annum depending on experience.

Closing: 01/11/:59

The place to work in pathology

We are looking for top talent to join the UK's leading and fastest growing pathology company - a scientific organisation with a clinical purpose.

Working in partnership with our service partners, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals, King's College Hospital and Princess Royal University Hospital we aim to set the standard for the future of pathology.

Job overview We're looking for a highly motivated Quality Officer to join the Quality Team at Synnovis Analytics. The role is based on the Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital sites and at the Synnovis Blackfriars Hub laboratories, in the Haematology and Blood Transfusion services.

Synnovis Analytics is fortunate to have a strong Quality Team, and the successful candidate will be an integral part of this team. We work together in a supportive framework to move forward quality management and governance processes within Synnovis in conjunction with our operational and clinical colleagues, within Synnovis and our partner NHS Trusts.

You will have HCPC State registration as a Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientist. You will hold an MSc, FIBMS or equivalent experience in a similar role, as well as experience of quality management. Familiarity with GMP regulations is also an advantage.

Main duties of the job This role is vital to the clinical governance and risk management of the laboratory services you support. You will support the Quality Manager in ensuring these laboratory services are meeting ISO 15189 standards, MHRA requirements and in maintaining UKAS accreditation for each area. You will have a high level of responsibility to ensure the successful delivery of pathology services, in line with our corporate objectives.

The successful candidate will support the Quality Manager in oversight of the laboratory services Quality Management System (QMS) and for monitoring and developing this in line with the central Synnovis QMS. They will be involved in training of staff in QMS tasks including internal audit, document control and management of non-conformances.

All Synnovis services use QPulse as a quality management database, so experience in the use of this software will be valuable.

The role involves collating data for regular reports on the quality management system which will include updates on key quality indicators and presenting these reports at governance meetings.

Supporting the laboratories with UKAS assessments is a key element of the role - this directing the laboratories in preparation for assessments; following up on any findings and ensuring evidence is available for submission to UKAS; and participating in assessments.

Working for our organisation Your development and learning

You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding/support for advanced qualifications.

The Synnovis Quality Team work together to constantly share learning and experience, either through regular group meetings or on a one-to-one basis. This provides a supportive and instructive environment to develop quality management skills.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests.

You will hold a variety of accountabilities in the laboratory environment. These include, but are not limited to:

• Contribute to the ongoing delivery of quality management through the Quality Management System (QMS), supporting the Quality Managers as required.
• Collate information and compile Quality reports.
• Support the introduction of new analysers/assays/methodologies by identifying and advising on any quality related aspects, improving patient pathways and service delivery.
• Take part in activities such as audits, investigations, incidents and quality assurance.
• Support and lead on quality related training for all laboratory employees in your area.
• Deputise for the Quality Manager including attendance at meetings, as required.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and quality requirements of regulatory directives, accreditation bodies, and local management including:
• Care Quality Commission
• Synnovis policies and SOPs
• Any other body in area of responsibility.

The successful candidate will:

• Hold HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientist.
• Have significant experience from working in a diagnostic medical laboratory.
• Have experience of laboratory quality management including audits, managing non-conformances, and incident investigations.
• Have an understanding of the ISO 15189:2022 standard and the ability to implement the correct policies and procedures in relation to quality systems.
• Have experience of coaching and co-ordinating others.

The Haematology laboratories provide a comprehensive screening and diagnostic service using a range of state-of-the-art technologies and manual laboratory procedures, both for Guy's and St Thomas' patients, and patients across the SE London area. The Blood Transfusion service provides a comprehensive Red Cell Immunohaematology service as well as meeting the blood transfusion needs of patients at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals. The service is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory to ISO15189:2012 and is currently undergoing transition to the 2022 standard.

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.

The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.

The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.

Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Women's Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Children's Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guy's site.

You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!

Person specification Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) IBMS accredited degree or equivalent.
• HCPC State registration as a Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientist.
• Specialist portfolio in relevant discipline (if HCPC Registration via IBMS Portfolio route) or FIBMS or equivalent experience or Clinical Scientist.
• MSc, FIBMS or equivalent experience in a similar role.

Experience

• Leadership qualities with experience of coaching and co-ordinating others.
• Performing audits, investigation of Adverse Incidents and Root Cause Analysis.
• Using Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Training colleagues in QMS, disseminating changes to SOPs and regulations pertaining to quality.
• Laboratory Quality Lead.
• Using QPulse.
• Involvement with external assessments/inspections e.g. UKAS/MHRA.

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to troubleshoot and train those who use the QMS.
• Knowledge of the correct policies and procedures to implement in relation to quality systems, with reference to ISO/UKAS.

Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.

Our Bank workers enjoy competitive market rates and flexible contract assignments across all of our sites, dependent on your availability and location.

For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.

All employees are entitled to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.

Please apply for this post on-line. If you have problems with using the online process, or need any assistance, please email

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