Havens Forensic Quality Officer

Job summary

The Havens is recruiting a full-time Band 7 Forensic Quality Officer to join our dedicated team. This post is fixed term for 16 months, with a typical working pattern Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) 9am to 5pm shifts across the 3 Haven sites. Flexi working and some working from home will be considered. This is an ideal secondment opportunity for someone who has knowledge and experience of UKAS accreditation process and working in a quality management environment.

The Havens are London's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) located in Camberwell, Paddington (Ladbroke Grove) and Whitechapel, providing 24/7 (365 per year) forensic medical examinations and care to people disclosing rape or sexual assault. This new role will work closely with Havens Quality & Operations manager, Consultant Clinical Leads, Lead Nurse, SARC Service Manager, Audit Lead, forensic and support staff supporting with development, implementation and maintenance of the quality management system, operating procedures and quality standards required to meet Forensic Science Regulator codes of practice ensuring compliance with international standards ISO15189 for UKAS accreditation.

Main duties of the job

This role will support the development and maintenance of procedures, ensuring compliance with the International Quality Standards ISO 15189 and ILAC-G19, together with the FSR Codes of Practice and Conduct and guidance documents for SARCs by:

• Support with creating, reviewing and amending documents in relation to the FSR codes of practice.
• Assist with the production of validation and verification procedures and supporting documents.
• Assist with the control and distribution of documents and quality procedures within the QMS.
• Work with the Havens Audit Lead, support implementation of a system relating to the standard operating procedures relevant to the FSR codes of practice.
• Produce performance data; recording and reporting on performance against quality standards.
• Support with the management of non-conformities (adverse incidents) and risk register.
• Participate in investigations where required to do so.
• Attend the Havens UKAS/FSR Implementation Group meetings and other meetings as required.
• Represent the Havens at relevant forums and meetings related to quality management and SARC accreditation, and disseminate the learning from these.
• Organise review and quality meetings including collating agendas, take minutes and record actions as necessary.
• Maintain a good level of knowledge and understanding of quality standards, training, performance and competency.
• Deputise for the Quality and Operations Manager.

About us

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Date posted: 01 November 2024

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £54,320 to £60,981 a year per annum incl HCA

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 16 months

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 213-CAY-6737292-A

Job responsibilities

The primary purpose of this role is to support the development and maintenance of quality procedures, ensuring compliance with the International Quality Standards ISO 15189 and ILAC-G19, together with the FSR Codes of Practice and Conduct and guidance documents.

• To support the development and maintenance of the Forensic Services Quality Management System (QMS).
• Deputise for the Quality and Operations Manager in periods of absence, within their specialist area.
• Support with the development of new SOPs and review and amend procedures and documents as required in relation to the FSR codes of practice for SARCS.
• Assist with the production of validation and verification procedures and supporting documents.
• Assist with the control and distribution of documents and quality procedures within the QMS.
• To attend the Havens UKAS/FSR Implementation Group meetings and other meetings as required.
• Work with the Havens Audit Lead, support implementation of a system for auditing systems relating to the SOPs relevant to the FSR codes of practice for SARCs.
• Provide practical support and advice in respect to the management of non-conformities (adverse incidents) and the service risk register, relating to accreditation. Participate in investigations where required to do so, and the review and monitoring of action plans.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential:

• Degree or equivalent level of qualification in a relevant subject and/or proven relevant work experience.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• Relevant experience of working in a quality management environment
• Experience of UKAS accreditation process
• Has a good understanding of International standards including ISO15189 and demonstrates the ability to work in an environment which is compliant with these standards.
• Prior experience planning and undertaking compliance audits Ability to prepare audit reports
• Experience of root cause analysis/ non-conformity investigations

Desirable:

• Has an awareness of Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice and relevant guidance material.
• Experience in project management

Skills and Competencies

Essential:

• Must demonstrate proficiency at working to a high degree of accuracy and show attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and have an ability to produce clear and concise documented procedures, policies and processes
• Demonstrate the ability to work on own initiative, work under pressure and to deadlines
• To be computer literate with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

Employer name: King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Pan Haven - Camberwell, Paddington at St Charles, Whitechapel, London, SE5 9RS

Employer's website: https://www.kch.nhs.uk/