Member, Immunology National Quality Assessment Advisory Panel (NQAAP)
Role Overview
Location: Remote/UK
Post: Member of National Quality Assurance Advisory Panel for Immunology
Discipline: Genomics
Accountable to: Chair of National Quality Assurance Advisory Panel for Immunology
Reports to: Chair of National Quality Assurance Advisory Panel for Immunology
Our Professional Guidelines department is seeking to recruit new members for the Immunology NQAAP.
The Immunology National Quality Assessment Advisory Panel (NQAAP) is responsible for overseeing and monitoring the correct operation of interpretative and technical External Quality Assessment schemes in Immunology. 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 a member of the Imunology NQAAP, you responsibilities will incude:
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Attendance of NQAAP meetings (minimum 2 per year and additional meetings as required).
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To participate in the operation of the NQAAP for Immunology to ensure an effective EQA oversight system is in place for the benefit of patient safety.
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Ensure the NQAAP for Immunology operates in an autonomous manner ensuring impartiality for the EQA programmes covered in its operations, regardless of the EQA provider and clinical laboratories concerned.
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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.
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To support NQAAP for Immunology and ensure it adheres to the agreed Terms of Reference in all activities.
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To support overall NQAAP and QAPC operations as appropriate.
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Liaise with external laboratories (UK based) to assist in resolution of technical issues with individual laboratory performance following referral to NQAAP for Immunology.
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Participate in production of the annual report to ensure that evidence of well-defined objectives and goals are fully documented.
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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.
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To represent the NQAAP for Immunology in an advisory and educational role at national meetings on quality assurance, and to prepare reports for such meetings where appropriate.
For more information, please download the full job description and specification below.
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 a member 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 Immunology 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 Immunology 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.
How do I apply?
Please send your expression of interest to [email protected] where you will be informed of next steps. The deadline to express your interest is 5pm on 24th April 2025.