Laboratory Supervisor

Purpose:

The role of Laboratory Supervisor involves managing daily laboratory operations, ensuring the delivery of high-quality genomic analysis, and maintaining compliance with all regulatory standards. The successful candidate will play a key role in fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within our laboratory environment.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead and line manage laboratory technicians, providing guidance and technical support in the execution of pre-analytical, analytical and post analytical test processes.
• Coordinate with management to plan for staff scheduling and specimen receipt in meeting defined operational requirements for the day.
• Support laboratory technicians during testing and act as a point of escalation for specimen and instrument issues, knowing how to troubleshoot routine problems and when to escalate breakdowns.
• Be responsible for the identification and escalation of non-conformities and the reporting of adverse events as critical components of the lab's Quality Performance Indicators, ensuring continuous monitoring and improvement of quality standards.
• Be accountable for achieving Turnaround Time (TAT) targets and minimising invalid result reporting as essential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Oversee continuous process and service improvements and work with R&D in proposing and implementing new strategies and technologies to enhance operational efficiency.
• Play a leading role in the laboratory’s quality assurance programs, including audit preparation, policy development, and corrective action plans for non-conformances.
• Ensure instruments are in service, reagents are qualified, and PPE is stocked and staff training is up to date.
• Ensure continuous oversight of laboratory inventory levels and communicate to management in a timely manner.
• Assist in maintaining ISO 15189 and other accreditation standards.

Minimum Experience:

• M.Sc or M.Res. degree or equivalent with specialized training and experience in molecular genetics, molecular biology, molecular pathology, or related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of clinical experience in genomics or molecular biology, including significant experience with high throughput DNA sequencing and nucleic acid–based assays, within a commercial, academic, or government laboratory.
• Previous supervisory or management experience in a laboratory setting is essential.
• Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory accreditation standards, particularly ISO 15189, and experience maintaining compliance with these and other regulatory requirements.
• Proven leadership skills, with the ability to mentor, motivate, and guide a team towards achieving excellence in laboratory operations.
• Must be detail-oriented and highly organised with a strong practical understanding of clinical laboratory practices, protocols, and safety standards.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve and implement effective solutions in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Language: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Maths Ability: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Microsoft Excel. Ability to operate laboratory computer systems.
• Special Skills: Demonstrate effective interpersonal communications between departments and co-workers. Communicate effectively (orally and written) with coworkers, employees of other departments, supervisors, and administration. Knowledge of quality control practices and requirements of UKAS, ISO 15189 CAP and other regulatory agencies.

Working Conditions:

• Clinical Laboratory environment; exposure to blood borne pathogens, hazardous chemicals; must wear personal protective equipment including lab coat, gloves and completely closed footwear.
• Weekend rotation may be required.