UHWA Laboratory Manager

*********PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM FULLY, CV'S ARE NOT ACCEPTED************

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The person holding this post is required to support the principle that the care of the patient comes first at all times and will approach their work with the flexibility and enthusiasm necessary to make this principle a reality for every patient to the greatest possible degree.

Leadership and Accountability

The Laboratory Manager will:

• Provide leadership which results in the delivery of an effective, efficient, quality assured and patient centred laboratory service.
• Develop a shared sense of commitment and participation among staff in the planning and development of the service.
• Keep the AHP Lead, General Manager, Clinical & Laboratory Directors appraised of all developments within the Laboratory Medicine Directorate and perform such additional duties as may be assigned from time to time by them or other designate.

Planning

The Laboratory Manager will:

• Develop policies for the selection, introduction and development of information and other systems for co-ordination of data collection, communication and management.
• Advise on scientific equipment selection, purchase, replacement or upgrading.
• Participate in the preparation of annual service plans for the service and monitor and report on their implementation as required.
• Prepare reports on Laboratory and related activities and expenditure as requested by the General Manager or other designated officer.
• Participate in and co-operate with any internal or external evaluation of the service.

Operations

The Laboratory Manager will:

• Be responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient operational management of the Laboratory Medicine Service.
• Develop, implement and evaluate operational policies, protocols and guidelines to maximise utilisation of resources and ensure systematic audit of usage of such resources.
• Develop collaborative planning and new focus of work organisation in conjunction with assigned staff and other professionals.
• Contribute to the strategic and development planning of the wider organisation.
• Liaise closely with internal and external service users to ensure effective and efficient utilisation of available resources.
• Ensure effective liaison between all hospitals within Dublin and South East Group.
• Review practice to meet growing demand with limited growth in staffing

Personnel Management

The Laboratory Manager will:

• Ensure effective processes exist and are adhered to for the recruitment, selection and appointment of staff.
• Ensure the optimum and effective use of staff through efficient rostering, skill/grade mix planning, work load measurement and staff development.
• Initiate the implementation of a staff development and individual performance review process and foster a high level of morale among staff by effective motivation and communication.
• Participate in the formulation of relevant personnel policies and procedures and deal with human resource problems, in association with the Human Resources Department and, if necessary, in accordance with the hospital’s disciplinary procedures.
• Promote and maintain a safe environment for staff. Develop and implement Risk Management and Health and Safety strategies in consultation with appropriate personnel.
• Effectively manage all Laboratory medical scientists and other staff as assigned to the post holder.

Performance Management

The Laboratory Manager will:

• Drive and promote a Performance Management culture.
• In conjunction with the General Manager and the Clinical Director, be a key player in the development of a Performance Management system for the Laboratory Department.
• Be responsible for the identification and development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are congruent with the Hospital’s service plan targets.
• Have responsibility for the management and delivery of KPIs as a routine and core business objective.
• Develop Action Plans to address non-attainment of KPI targets.

Finance

The Laboratory Manager will:

• Prepare annual financial estimates in respect of pay and non-pay costs, incorporating staffing, education and training costs.
• Participate in the overall financial planning of the service including the negotiation of resources and the assessment of priorities in pay and non-pay expenditure.
• Ensure expenditure is controlled within budget and identify potential for efficiency savings through improved practices and innovation.
• Implement appropriate budgetary control measures and implement monthly expenditure audit systems.
• Develop, implement and evaluate strategies to maximise potential income generated by activities.
• Co-operate with relevant Departments in establishing costing methods in respect of utilisation of the Laboratory Medicine Service.
• IFMS- use of IFMS- IFMS will become a central platform for managing laboratory productivity

Education

The Laboratory Manager will:

• Ensure that appropriate in-service education programmes and ongoing learning needs are met for all assigned staff. Liaise and co-operate with appropriate third level education institutes.
• Monitor recent research and new developments. Initiate, facilitate and take part in relevant research and promote awareness of ongoing and current research into issues affecting patient care.

Quality Assurance

The Laboratory Manager will:

• Participate in the implementation and maintenance of the quality management system to ISO 15189 2022.
• Participate in the preparation and review of standard operating procedures or other laboratory documents in accordance with the laboratory’s document control procedures (NGH/QA/SOP/001, NGH/QA/SOP/003 & NGH/QA/SOP/005).
• Participate in the reporting of non conformances, complaints, incidents and near misses and perform corrective actions as required.
• Participate in audits as required.
• Attend the monthly quality meetings and the annual management review meeting.
• Participate in relevant accreditation processes, in particular, the ISO 15189 2022 Standards as governed by the Irish National Accreditation Board.
• Ensure that best practice standards are in operation and that regular monitoring is undertaken through audit.
• Maintain a quality management programme.
• Maintain good collaborative working relationships and communications with appropriate statutory, professional and voluntary organisations responsible for and/or participating in health care.
• Ensure adherence to all codes and guidelines relating to professional practice.
• Monitor and research new developments and encourage adoption of new ideas and technology throughout the hospital.
• Initiate, facilitate and take part in relevant research and promote awareness of ongoing and current research.
• Ensure compliance with all legislation.
• Ensure appropriate laboratory involvement with antimicrobial stewardship programmes and initiatives in the hospital and nationally.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etcand comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.