Laboratory management competencies

Details

Title

Laboratory management competencies

Type

Stage Two

Module code

HLS109

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

By the end of the training period trainees will, in respect of be able to developing skills to take independent responsibility for the direction and management of the service, be able to:

• analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply knowledge
• perform, adapt and master a range of technical and clinical skills and procedures
• demonstrate the attitudes and behaviours necessary for professional practice as a consultant clinical scientist dealing with the complexities, uncertainties and tensions of professional practice at this level

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to demonstrate the ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise relevant knowledge and its application to their professional practice in relation to:

 General

• discuss request initiation, specimen transport and what contributes to error.
• describe the analytical and reporting process
• discuss principles of successful management
• summarise the structure and organisation of the NHS, where decision making occurs, process of change and ways of influencing decisions
• report on practical experience of business planning, finance, financial control, costing, pricing, contracting, purchasing, resource management
• discuss practical aspects of personnel management, industrial relations, team building, staff training, motivation, continuing education, appraisal, dealing with problems, colleagues
• summarise the concepts of accreditation, e.g. CPA, good laboratory practice, MHRA, HTA, etc.
• outline legal requirements and Department of Health guidance for laboratories
• discuss multidisciplinary working

Quality assurance 

• discuss how quality control and quality assessment are used in the laboratory including interpretation of results of quality assessment
• explain how laboratory accreditation is obtained

Health and safety 

• summarise the principles of Health and Safety and COSHH
• discuss the differences between individual and collective responsibility
• describe how to handle potentially infectious samples and noxious chemicals
• explain radiation protection measures
• summarise the principles of mechanical, fire and electrical safety
• describe how to deal with an accident

Selection of analytical equipment

• describe the process of specification and evaluation of an analytical system
• discuss financial issues relating to analyser installation (capital purchase, reagent rental, competitive tendering)

IT

• explain the role of IT in delivery and management of service
• describe stages in producing results and problems with turnaround time
• discuss instrument interfaces and links to other computers
• describe reporting/authorisation procedures
• discuss patient identification and methods of ensuring accuracy
• discuss management statistics
• explain the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act
• discuss retention of records
• describe how to undertake a review of pathology services

Communication skills

• describe how to communicate with organisations, scientific and medical communities and the public
• discuss principles of effective negotiation, influencing colleagues.

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of current relevant research, theory and knowledge and its application to the performance, adaptation and mastery of the following technical procedures and laboratory skills:

• describe the processes in reception
• discuss the place of laboratory automation and IT
• discuss personnel management including industrial relations
• describe the processes of business planning, writing business case, contracting, finance, and resource management
• summarises the process of appointing staff
• describes an appraisal of a member of staff and the skills required
• describes a departmental management meeting
• discuss mentoring and supervision
• outlines how compliance with CPA standards affects training
• undertakes an accreditation review of a section of the laboratory
• teaches how to interpret quality control/quality assurance data and advise on subsequent course of action
• acts as a laboratory quality control officer
• describe laboratory quality control meetings, safety committee meetings.
• explains the role of it in analytical toxicology
• summarises how to resolve technical, scientific, clinical and management problems through leadership skills and promoting morale
• explains laboratory procedures to patients, their relatives and visitors
• demonstrates how to work within a team, communicating with clinical, managerial and other health care staff
• prepare and present a summary of a scientific study.