Overview of the Position
The post holder will work alongside and report to the AHL Clinical Director Prof Gordon Stamp and the laboratory manager Miss Hodan Jama. They will deputise for the Clinical Director when required.
You will also work very closely with the Laboratory Manager and the Quality Manager to jointly lead the strategic development of the laboratory and to ensure the provided service is aligned with the company vision and strategy.
The post-holder will be provided with access to a professional microscope and camera system, dedicated personal computer and secretarial support.
The workload is very varied but in general each day will comprise commitments to both surgical dissection and reporting with sufficient time to be provided for personal and professional development. Hours of working are flexible and in accordance with the requirements for timely final reporting of cases in line with AHL objectives. Due to the working hours being flexible, time off in lieu is granted for necessary work performed outside normal working hours.
Areas of Expertise
Efficient accurate surgical pathology dissection and reporting covering a broad range of samples received by AHL will be required. In areas where there is limited experience, supervision and training will be given to support the post-holder to achieve the necessary level of expertise. The post-holder will also be expected to supervise junior staff and suitably qualified biomedical scientists in dissection or surgical reporting.
The responsibilities also include professional, scientific, consultative, or advisory, organisational, administrative, and educational matters relevant to the services offered by AHL.
Key Responsibilities
- To provide efficient histopathology diagnostic expertise in dissection and surgical pathology reporting with a total caseload of circa 4-5000 per annum, selecting appropriate samples according to the guidelines within the AHL guidelines and where relevant based on the Royal College of Pathologists minimum datasets.
- To respect, interact with and direct Biomedical Scientists, Medical Laboratory Assistants, and office/administrative staff in a highly professional and friendly manner.
- To undertake clinical diagnostic reports construction according to the AHL “house” style.
- To be proficient in or learn all essential software programs including the AHL Laboratory Information Management System.
- To participate in person or virtually in multidisciplinary team meetings within the independent sector, initially deputising for the clinical director or other histopathology consultants and eventually for their own independent practice.
- To relate and function effectively with applicable accrediting and regulatory agencies, appropriate administrative officials, the healthcare community, and patient population served, and providers of formal agreements, when required.
- To work with the team members and the referring Consultants in order to achieve the aims and objectives of the Establishment as set out in the Statement of Purpose.
- To set and maintain the highest level of standards of service and care within a Governance and Regulatory framework.
- To be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the needs and requirements of the referring Consultants and to build collaborative working relationships and communicate results efficiently.
- To ensure the implementation of the Quality Management policy.
- To contribute to the development of the AHL website.
- To help develop the AHL in-house Laboratory Information Management System.
- To participate in appropriate mandatory training which will be provided by AHL.
- To participate in/undertake mandatory internal audit, risk management and quality assurance exercises and to be able to demonstrate quality improvement through audit outcomes.
- To maintain transparent and professional business practices.
- To be contactable out of hours for urgent clinical enquiries.
Clinical Practice
- To ensure and facilitate the delivery of specialist diagnostic services which include gynaecological, gastrointestinal, dermatopathology, ENT/head and neck specialties currently undertaken by the Clinical Director. Duties include surgical dissection and microscopic reporting with the Clinical Director with a view to independent reporting in the future.
- To assist the other specialist pathologists working within AHL with dissection and initial reporting.
- To ensure that all practice is evidence-based and in line with current standards and recommendations.
- To continuously look for improvement in relation to policies and practices within AHL and involving all team members in this process.
- To manage any complaints in a timely and sensitive manner and in line with AHL policy.
- To ensure that systems and protocols are in place and implemented where required to deal efficiently and effectively with emergency situations.
- To participate in any appropriate research projects undertaken by AHL which may require histopathological expertise and analysis.
Service Planning and Finance
- To assist in validation of new equipment and techniques.
- To implement cost improvement programmes as directed by senior staff.
Education, Research and Professional Issues
- Ensure that personal training and development is kept up to date by means of CPD.
- Participate in Annual Performance Review.
Clinical Governance and Risk Management
- Requirement to undertake annual appraisal in the independent sector.
- Assist in ensuring that AHL service is centred on patient care and the patient pathway.
- Be aware of clinical implications of the information and reports provided to users.
- Ensure all incidents are reported according to AHL policies.
- Assist in gathering data for AHL audits.
- Ensure that all Policies and Protocols in place are relevant to the work of the Establishment and are written in line with current guidance from the regulatory bodies and associations.
- Ensure that such policies are strictly adhered to and are readily available to all team members who must demonstrate a clear understanding of the Policies.
- Ensure compliance of self and others with Health and Safety procedures in the handling and storage of hazardous materials used within the laboratory.
- Take part in audit and contribute to the appropriate multidisciplinary meetings.
- Participate in the regional histopathology EQA and other appropriate EQAs.
- Maintain your professional standards in respect of education, training and ensure awareness of specific area speciality training and needs.
Company Policies / National Guidelines
- Implement and ensure compliance to work towards an accredited Quality System in the areas of work for which the post holder carries responsibility.
- Carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, COSHH and other relevant Statutory Regulations, Company policies and rules.
- Perform other appropriate duties as required from time to time by the Laboratory Manager or Clinical Director.
Your package
The salary is on the NHS Consultant/Associate Specialist Scale according to experience.
Holiday entitlement and additional benefits to be discussed with the right candidate, based on experience.
General Company Conditions
The post holder will be expected to understand and ensure compliance by themselves and other staff with AHL policies and national guidelines. Specific attention is drawn to the following:
Confidentiality
All information concerning patients and staff must be held in the strictest confidence and may not be divulged to any unauthorised person at any time, unless to do so is in the best interests of the individual. In this case, the post-holder should be appropriately advised by a senior manager. A breach of confidence will result in disciplinary action being taken and may lead to dismissal.
Equal Opportunities
The post holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with regard to the AHL Equal Opportunities Policy.
Health and Safety
The post holder has personal responsibility for safety as outline in AHL policy and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1947. Adherence must be made to COSHH and Risk Assessment policies.
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
All staff must be familiar with and adherence to AHL child protection and safeguarding adult policies and procedures. All staff are required to undertake child protection and safeguarding adults awareness training.
Data Protection Act
Computer data should only be accessed if this has been authorised and is necessary as part of your work. Unauthorised access to computer data or helping others to access data will result in disciplinary action being taken and may lead to dismissal. The Data Protection Act 1984 renders and individual liable for prosecution in the event of unauthorised disclosure of information.
Review of this job description
This job description is not intended to be exhaustive especially in view of the dynamic expansion of AHL. The post holder will be expected to carry out any reasonable duties requested of them, appropriate to the grade and role of the post and in light of the changing needs of the organisation. Any significant changes to the workload, role and responsibilities of this post will be discussed with the Clinical Director in line with AHL Personnel Policies.
Get in touch
Please forward your CV to [email protected]. If you have the experience required, we will contact you to arrange a telephone discussion and potential visit to the laboratory.