Closing Date: 02/06/2025
Location: Remote/UK
Post: Chair of National Quality Assurance Advisory Panel for Genetics (Volunteer) Discipline: Genomics Accountable to: Chair of Quality Assurance in Pathology Committee (QAPC) and Royal College of Pathologists Trustee Board Reports to: Quality Assurance in Pathology Committee (QAPC) The Royal College of Pathologist's Professional Guidelines team is seeking to recruit a new chair for the Genetics NQAAP. The Genetics National Quality Assessment Advisory Panel (NQAAP) is responsible for overseeing and monitoring the correct operation of interpretative and technical External Quality Assessment schemes in Genetics. The NQAAP is responsible for promoting, coordinating and protecting high professional standards in external quality assessment (EQA) and encouraging development of appropriate EQA schemes in support of patient safety. What does the role entail? As Chair of the Genetics NQAAP, you will: Chair NQAAP meetings (minimum 2 per year and additional meetings as required) Lead the operation of the NQAAP for Genetics to ensure an effective EQA oversight system is in place for the benefit of patient safety Ensure the NQAAP for Genetics operates in an autonomous manner ensuring impartiality for the EQA programmes covered in its operations, regardless of the EQA provider and clinical laboratories concerned Review reported data trends and anomalies identified by the various EQA providers. Interpret such data as to their clinical and laboratory significance and report to any external body such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), as appropriate. Ensure NQAAP for Genetics adheres to the agreed Terms of Reference in all activities and support QAPC operations including: The escalation of persistent poor performance to the QAPC within 2 weeks of identification ensuring confirmation of escalation is sent to the relevant EQA scheme organiser The escalation of complaints about EQA practices from participants that cannot be resolved at EQA organiser or NQAAP level Report biannually into the QAPC with a summary of activities including notifications of poor performance and steps taken, escalations, risks identified and learning points for sharing Liaise with external laboratories (UK based) to assist in resolution of technical issues with individual laboratory performance following referral to NQAAP for Genetics Resolve any complaints that may arise regarding the operation of NQAAP for Genetics Provide expert, appropriate advice on quality assessment to scheme participants (both laboratory-based and non-laboratory staff), steering committees, other NQAAPs, the QAPC, the World Health Organization (WHO), the British Council, the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), the blood service of the relevant nation, industry, professional bodies, and all other relevant organisations (including higher educational establishments) and individuals as required Represent the NQAAP for Genetics in an advisory and educational role at national meetings on quality assurance, and to prepare reports for such meetings where appropriate. Why should I apply? The National Quality Assurance Advisory Panels play a vital role in ensuring a high level of quality is adhered to across all areas of pathology. This, in turn, is imperative in ensuring patient safety standards a national level. As Chair of the panel, you will provide unparalleled support for the laboratories and EQA providers in resolving any performance issues specifically for the benefit of patient safety and/or product quality. This role is pivotal in providing expert advice and guidance to clinicians and scientific staff relating to persistent poor performance in genomics and the impact of this on delivering high-quality patient care. It is a role of great importance which is responsible for helping keep patient care standards high. What's the commitment? As per the Terms of Reference (ToR), the Genetics NQAAP must meet twice per year. These meeting usually happen in May and November. The meeting in May tends to last 90 minutes maximum, dependent on reports from EQA providers. The EQA Provider Annual Report meeting (which tends to occur in November), will normally be 4–6 hours including appropriate breaks. There might be additional meetings called depending on what has been reported by EQA providers to the NQAAP.
For further information please contact:
Emma Lord
Email: emma.lord@rcpath.org
Website: https://www.rcpath.org/
6 Alie Street,
London
Greater London
E18QT
