Job overview
Our Quality Assurance department provides services to our own trust and a number of commercial and other NHS clients. As part of the broader Pharmacy department we are ambitious, continually looking to be developing our services and are committed to the development of our staff.
We are looking for a Microbiologist who has experience of NHS or pharmaceutical and environmental monitoring and is looking to lead and develop a small team in providing NHS and commercial client services.
Main duties of the job
As the manager of the microbiology section of the Pharmacy Quality Control Laboratory, the post holder is expected to ensure that Good Laboratory Practice standards are maintained in accordance with national standards and MHRA licensed status.
Working knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacture, likely contaminates, good clean room design, and environmental pathogens will all be advantageous.
Client relations, the ability to clearly advise customers of the implications of testing, and guidance in actions to be taken are essential.
Supporting clients and your host trust in quality assurance matters including Quality Management Systems, Internal and External Audit process.
Working for our organisation
Why colleagues think we are
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes.
We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
What do we stand for?
Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.
We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.
We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
Person specification
Education, Qualification and Training
Essential criteria
1. MSc Microbiology or other related biological Science.
Desirable criteria
2. Diploma or Higher Certificate in Leadership and Management
Experience
Essential criteria
3. Significant experience of working in a microbiology laboratory/ environmental monitoring
4. Experience in quality inspection and audits (EL(97), MHRA)
5. Experience of devising, implementing and reviewing policies and procedures
6. Experience of design and delivery of development activities such as training, validation etc.
7. Experience in operational planning and management (leading people, team performance monitoring, change management, recruitment and selection)
8. Experience of budget management, supplier selection, procurement, contract negotiation with NHS clients
Desirable criteria
9. Evidence of operational planning
10. Experience of MHRA audit, aseptic systems, clean room operation
Skills, Ability and Knowledge
Essential criteria
11. Knowledge of Pharmaceutical Quality Management System
12. Ability to write validation protocol, reports, procedures
13. Ability to plan, organise, train and lead a team
14. Knowledge of variety of microbiological testing methods, interpretation of results.
15. Communication with clients of results and implications for process / performance
16. Clear understanding of regulatory requirement
17. Able to communicate routine information effectively using clear written and spoken English and overcome barriers to understanding
18. Able to use computer programmes such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook
19. Ability to work across disciplines and to liaise closely with stakeholders
20. Knowledge of motivation, delegation, improvement performance, coaching and mentoring techniques
21. Knowledge how to manage conflict at all levels
22. Ability to identify and share good practice and work collaboration with others - both inside and outside of the organisation
23. Ability to input into strategic planning and create plans in line with departmental objectives
24. Knowledge of setting up and manging a project using relevant tools and techniques
25. Good understanding of risk management, quality assurance and complaints handling
Desirable criteria
26. Stakeholder management
27. Delivering team performance
28. Strategic planning
29. Project management
Special Circumstances
Essential criteria
30. Able to travel to customer sites within the Trust and customer sites outside the Trust
31. Able to comply with requirements for clean room operation and working within semi sterile environments
PPE requirements: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust requires all colleagues to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with our infection prevention and control procedures.
COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the viruses when working in our healthcare settings. We encourage our staff to be vaccinated when recommended.
Application deadline: This post will close on the closing date stated at midnight, however if we receive a large number of applications or there is a change in circumstance, we may be required to close a job before the advertised date.
Application information: If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records (ESR) system.
Shortlisting: The monitoring and safeguarding sections are not made visible to the shortlisting panel. The safeguarding section may be made visible to the interview panel, dependent on the role being recruited into.
Travel expenses: It is Trust policy that travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
Smoking: All Trust sites are NO SMOKING. Smoking in all areas of the buildings and premises is prohibited.
Employer certification / accreditation badges