Pathology Environment Health & Safety Lead

NHS; Brighton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Brighton seeks a professional lead for health, safety, and bio-security across laboratory sites. The successful candidate will manage health and safety systems, undertake complex audits, and maintain compliance with legislation. A background in clinical laboratory settings and qualifications in health and safety are essential for this role. Flexible working options are available to support work-life balance.

Benefits

Flexible working to support work-life balance

Extensive wellbeing programme for staff

Qualifications

• Membership of professional health and safety body e.g. IOSH.
• Registered as Biomedical Scientist with HCPC.
• 5+ years in clinical laboratory management or health and safety role.

Responsibilities

• Lead health, safety, and bio-security across multiple sites.
• Develop and maintain health & safety systems.
• Conduct training and systematic audits for staff.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Leadership and motivational abilities

Presentation skills

Negotiation and training skills

Education

MSc / MPhil in science-based discipline or equivalent

Formal qualification in Occupational Health and Safety

NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health or equivalent

Job description

Job summary: The post-holder will be the professional lead for health, safety, bio-security, and environment management across all laboratory sites within UHSussex Pathology providing management, specialist knowledge, and scientific/technical expertise on all health, safety and environment matters to ensure the safe delivery of the clinical diagnostic service.

The post-holder will be responsible for the integration and delivery of a comprehensive and coordinated health and safety system across all UHSussex Pathology sites. This will include facilitating the delivery of specialist training and systematic audit/inspection programmes across multiple sites for all staff grades.

Main duties of the job: Develops communication forums to disseminate H&S information & assists with handling formal written complaints. Uses highly developed communication skills to impart complex/sensitive information whilst ensuring compliance with professional codes of conduct & confidentiality e.g.outcomes of HSE inspections, accident investigations etc. Develops & maintains strong/effective relationships with key personnel e.g.H&S Executive (HSE), Environment Agency (EA) & South East Counter Terrorism Unit (SECTU). Contributes to strategic planning in H&S matters.

Critically reviews, prepares, implements, maintains & monitors compliance with all Health & Safety pathology procedures. Acts as one of the approver/authoriser on local Health & Safety documentation &with the delegated authority in matters of H&S including suspending/stopping activity deemed unsafe. Ensures safe management/maintenance of expensive & complex analytical equipment & facilities is carried out.

Maintains scientific knowledge & skill set with the latest scientific/medical developments, emerging technologies, research and other national/international issues which may have an impact on the laboratory e.g. epidemics/pandemics, emerging events such as Ebola/VHF outbreaks etc. Investigating and analysing incident reports to identify trends & recurring issues. Develop & implement plans/processes & internal policies to ensure UHSussex Pathology conforms to requirements of relevant legislation & local/national guidance.

About us

At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed.

We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme,for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

Person Specification

Professional Registration Essential: Membership of professional health and safety e.g. IOSH, ISTR, etc. commensurate with role

• Registered to practice as Biomedical Scientist with Health and Care Professions Council

Experience/Qualifications Essential: MSc / MPhil in science-based discipline or equivalent e.g. IBMS Higher Specialist Portfolio Formal qualification in Occupational Health and Safety e.g. NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Safety & Health (or equivalent) Highly developed specialist knowledge underpinned by theoretical knowledge and extensive practical experience including: 1. Experience in a clinical or scientific laboratory setting 2. Experience in performing a laboratory management role (>5 years) 3. Experience in performing a health and safety role (>5 years) 4. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

• NEBOSH Diploma Occupational Safety and Health (or equivalent) Formal qualification in Environment Management Experience working with external stakeholders e.g. HSE, EA etc. Knowledge of incident investigation and/or Root Cause analysis Knowledge of accreditation standards for Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems e.g. ISO 45001 Experience of managing or working in a high-containment laboratory setting Experience in performing a health and safety management role

Skills Essential: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Highly developed team building, leadership and motivational abilities. Highly specialist presentation skills. Developed persuasive, motivational, negotiation and training skills.

• Able to manage a comprehensive and co-ordinated H&S system for multiple departments across multiple hospital sites. Able to manage and facilitate a comprehensive and specialist health and safety training programme across multiple departments and sites for large numbers of staff.

Freedom to Act Essential: Proven ability to work with autonomy and to facilitate decision making using sound, well-informed judgement and information.

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role). Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: 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.