Job overview

Please note - THIS POST IS ONLY OPEN TO KENT AND MEDWAY PATHOLOGY NETWORK STAFF (I.E. THOSE EMPLOYED BY DARTFORD AND GRAVESHAM NHS TRUST, MEDWAY NHS TRUST, EAST KENT HOSPITALS NHS TRUST, MAIDSTONE AND TUNBRIDGE WELLS NHS TRUST).   ANY APPLICATIONS FROM PEOPLE NOT EMPLOYED BY THE NETWORK WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

The post holder will provide operational leadership and management to staff within the Microbiology department at Darent Valley  Hospital as well as operational Leadership and support for Health and Safety management at both Darent Valley and Medway Maritime hospital sites.

They will provide leadership for service transformation, the implementation of operational and clinical innovations for the Department. They will provide line management to the Biomedical Scientists (BMS), Associate Practitioners (AP) and Health Care Support Workers (HSSWs) as well as overall management for all staff within the aligned service.

They will participate in drafting, implementing and reviewing departmental policies and guidelines, ensure the service runs smoothly and efficiently over the 24-hour period, ensure the adoption and alignment to national guidance and local pathways processes and protocols and that the service adheres to the quality standards as set out within the QMS/ Quality Manual and NKPS annual plans.

This position will not be supported for visa sponsorship.  All applicants are expected to have valid right to work document to work in the UK when applying for this position.

Main duties of the job

A key part of the postholder’s role will be to develop and implement systems and procedures within microbiology to enable the service to run effectively and to ensure it complies with legal requirements including ensuring the attainment and maintenance of UKAS Accreditation and ISO 15189 standards.

The post holder will undertake the role of CL3 Manager, implementing and monitoring the continued safe working in the facility, ensuring legal requirements are met at all times and will also act as Pathology H&S Lead, providing the necessary expertise and leadership to the Pathology H&S committee, representing the Microbiology department and Pathology at both Dartford and Medway sites, Care group safety and governance committees, highlighting compliance and issues. The role will require an element of cross-site working. 

The post holder will also have the responsibility of managing a large team of Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Support staff as well as managing the department E-rostering systems.

Acting as a deputy for Head of Microbiology in their absence and support major internal and external project plans.

Working for our organisation

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you’ll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we’ve achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.