Haematology - Head of Haematology

Job Title: Head of Haematology

Reports to (title): Head of Operations

Department: Laboratory

Business unit: Nationwide Laboratories

Prepared by: Sandra Wells

Date: 29/01/2024

Short description of the main purpose of the role

The role of Head of Haematology is responsible for the daily running of the laboratory departments. Striving to drive customer excellence in all internal and external activities.

The Head of Haematology is responsible for providing a source of reporting, information, training, coaching, advice and support to the business and its colleagues.

They should provide support to the team in ensuring that all initiatives are fully implemented, and that role model/ambassador behaviour, values and beliefs are adopted across the business.

The Head of Haematology should be able to work effectively to supervise the departmental team and maximise the overall service delivered. A flexible ‘can do’ approach and ability to ‘multi-task’ is essential for this role.

Core role accountabilities:Describe the principal tasks and responsibilities

• Is responsible for the organisation and supervision of the laboratory staff to deal with workload demands in the department.
• Is responsible for the recruitment and HR issues of departmental staff including training, discipline, wage sheets, welfare, PDR and safety of all staff to ensure optimal staff performance.
• Is responsible for Health and Safety requirements with safe working practices in compliance with the Health and safety at Work Act, in cooperation with the Health and Safety officer of the laboratory and staff, to ensure legal requirements are met and there is a clean, safe working environment.
• Works as part of the laboratory site management team in order to execute the efficient operation of the laboratory and works standardisation of procedures across sites.
• Leads the teaching and training of all technical aspects of Haematology.
• Is responsible for the general maintenance, calibration and quality control of automated, semi-automated equipment in Haematology and the installation, integration and monitoring of new equipment and technologies.
• Assist with the authorisation of completed work for printing of reports, initiating further investigation as and when appropriate, and bringing to the attention of Pathologist staff such results which require clinical judgement and comment.
• To troubleshoot, using knowledge of analytical issues to resolve problems due to sample, reagent and instrument limitations.
• Produces and maintains a training plan for their team providing for training requirements and facilities and maintains staff training records to ensure their staff are adequately trained for efficient running of the laboratory.
• Establishes and validates methods of examination of samples, liaising with the Head of Operations, Quality Manager and customer facing teams as necessary to ensure best practice for sample handling and analysis.
• Is responsible for the production and maintenance of written Standard Operating Procedures and compliance with these to ensure the quality of results.
• Performing method reviews to ensure the most appropriate standards are in use and that the methods are continuing to fulfil the needs of the client.
• Understands the requirements of laboratory customers and incorporates these into the operation of the department.
• Supervises the maintenance schedules and records of service and daily monitoring records of equipment and the environment to ensure equipment is functioning correctly and results produced are accurate.
• Supervises the stocks of reagents and consumables and their correct storage, and ensures stock sheets are completed monthly.
• Monitors workflow assisting where necessary to ensure smooth running of the laboratory.
• Supervises and monitors performance in external and internal quality assurance schemes.
• Able to proactively deal with problems.
• Able to answer colleagues questions and give advice to the clients.
• Understands the principals behind all procedures.
• Source of technical knowledge and experience.
• To implement and develop improvement to systems and  procedures.
• To be familiar with the Matrix LIMS system and enter of sample data.
• Evaluating suppliers/subcontractors.
• Investigating Non-conforming work, EQA poor performance etc.
• Managing calibration status of equipment.
• Identify own development needs
• Works flexibly and collaboratively
• Adopts and promotes role model behaviour, values and beliefs

Personal attributes:Qualifications, experience, skills, knowledge and competencies required to fulfil the role

1. Registration with the Healthcare Professions Council as a Biomedical Scientist.
2. A Biomedical Science degree or equivalent.
3. Minimum of 5 years relevant laboratory experience in a Blood Sciences laboratory.
4. Experience of UKAS assessments and relevant UKAS ISO standards.

1. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal.
2. Excellent attention to detail.
3. Problem solving ability.
4. Demonstrates a detailed understanding of the important elements of laboratory diagnostic testing.
5. Strong organisational skills and the ability to multi-task.
6. Computer literate.
7. Highly customer focused.
8. Highly motivated.
9. Challenges, questions practices and improves.
10. Performance and quality.
11. Team player.