Job overview
The post holder will have managerial responsibility for the Biochemistry laboratory service with East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT), delivered at Royal Blackburn Hospital and Burnley General Hospital sites.
This vacancy is open internally to ELHT and to the other Trusts in Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Working in partnership with the Clinical Lead, the post holder will ensure that the requirements for laboratory accreditation (UKAS) and the needs of service users are consistently met.
The post holder will provide professional management and effective leadership to the department.
The post holder will be part of the senior management team, and will participate in Management, Quality, Governance and Operations meetings within the directorate.
The post holder may also be required to represent the Department and/or Directorate at meetings at Divisional and Trust level.
Main duties of the job
Key areas
· To have overall responsibility for the delivery of a robust Biochemistry laboratory service to ELHT.
· Will work as a key member of the Directorate Senior Management Team, which is responsible for the effective operational management and strategic direction of Clinical Laboratory Medicine at ELHT.
· Will have overall responsibility for Biochemistry and will work in partnership with the Lead Clinician, Laboratory Operations Manager and other senior staff, to develop and promote efficient and effective systems and processes in the management of the resources including finance, staff, information, equipment and space.
Working for our organisation
The department has recently invested in a fully tracked solution for auotmation with Siemens Aptio track and Atellica analysers at the Royal Blackburn site with similar equipment also in place on the Burnley site.
At East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 700,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 8,000 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.
Aligned to national strategy, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is working 3 local Trusts to form a single Pathology Service for Lancashire and South Cumbria, hosted by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.
Whilst this post is based at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, this may change in the future if services are reorganised.
Within current timelines, this post may TUPE into LTHTR as the hosting employer in early 2026.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the JD and PS for full information
· Will monitor the budget of Biochemistry to assist in achievement of financial targets and cost effective delivery of service.
· Will ensure Biochemistry contributes to and meets the Trust and Divisional Objectives including delivering cost improvement savings.
· Will take a strategic lead in the continuing provision of a high quality and responsive service meeting both regulatory and accreditation requirements.
· Will promote the continuous improvement in service delivery and quality within Biochemistry, using modern methods to lead in the delivery of service and workforce transformation and re-design.
· To line manage the Senior BMS staff, supporting them to manage the work of staff in Biochemistry and develop a culture in which members of staff are continuously improving the delivery of high quality services.
· Will set and ensure the development and acceptance of challenging but realistic objectives for staff, and through leadership, motivation and systematic performance management to achieve the required results.
· Will communicate effectively with Healthcare Scientists, Clinicians and other healthcare providers both within and outside of the Trust including Estates, Human Resources, Finance, Payroll, Occupational Health; representatives and service personnel from Commercial organisations.
· Will actively participate in meetings within Biochemistry, Clinical Laboratory Medicine and wider within the Trust, providing specialist leadership and expert advice.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* IBMS approved Honours degree plus IBMS specialist portfolio plus MSC in Biomedical Science or HNC + FIBMS “special” exam (if registered before 1994)
Desirable criteria
* Management or Leadership qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
* Previous extensive experience within a Biochemistry department
* Experience of training and competence assessment of laboratory staff.
* Lead or significant involvement in / preparation for ISO inspections
Desirable criteria
* Proven management experience in a Senior/Lead BMS role within a Biochemistry department
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Extensive IT skills including MS office, Q-pulse & LIMS
* Detailed knowledge of ISO/UKAS standards and other relevant legislation
* Managed staff including Appraisals, sickness reviews, competency and training
Desirable criteria
* Financial and budget awareness
* Ability to implement and manage change