Becoming a Contracted Assessor with the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) offers a unique opportunity to raise standards in healthcare, enhance your professional development and gain valuable insights – all while continuing in your current clinical role. The introduction of ISO 15189:2022 provided further opportunities for consultants and consultant biomedical scientists in pathology to contribute to the continual improvement of healthcare services across the UK.
What does a Contracted Assessor do?
Contracted Assessors work as part of UKAS’s network of independent experts, conducting assessments of pathology services to ensure they meet accreditation standards. These assessments are integral to building confidence in the quality of medical laboratory services, helping ensure reliable results for clinicians and ultimately better outcomes for patients.
The role involves visiting laboratories—sometimes on-site, sometimes remotely—to review their processes, assess their compliance with ISO 15189:2022, and identify areas for improvement. It’s not just about spotting non-conformities; it’s about helping laboratories enhance their services and demonstrating how accreditation can be a driver for excellence.
We need you!
We are particularly keen to hear from consultants and consultant biomedical scientists working in pathology who have significant experience in their specialty. Consultants and consultant biomedical scientists bring an additional depth of clinical knowledge and insight, particularly in identifying and managing clinical risks within laboratory services. This expertise is invaluable in supporting UKAS to deliver robust and impactful assessments.
We welcome applications from professionals across all areas of pathology, including histopathology, clinical biochemistry, microbiology, haematology, and neuropathology. Strong clinical knowledge, familiarity with quality assurance principles, and excellent interpersonal skills are key to success in this role. While prior experience with ISO 15189 is advantageous, full training is provided.
Why is this role valuable to UKAS?
UKAS relies on the expertise of its Assessors to uphold the rigorous standards of its accreditation process. Assessors bring invaluable insights from their own professional practice, ensuring assessments remain relevant, credible, and aligned with the real-world challenges faced by pathology services.
With the increased focus of ISO 15189:2022 on clinical impact and risk management, Assessors with current or recent clinical experience in pathology services are uniquely placed to identify risks, understand the clinical implications of laboratory processes, and provide constructive feedback.
Career benefits of becoming a UKAS Assessor
For professionals working in pathology, becoming an assessor offers unparalleled opportunities for development:
- Professional growth: Deepen your knowledge of ISO 15189:2022, quality management principles, and the latest trends in pathology.
- Fresh perspectives: By visiting other services, you’ll see how others tackle challenges, adopt innovative solutions, and interpret standards. This can inspire improvements in your own work.
- Networking opportunities: Engage with a national network of assessors and laboratory professionals, sharing ideas and best practices.
- Personal fulfilment: Many assessors find the role rewarding, knowing they’re contributing to improvements in healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
For recently retired professionals, the role provides a way to stay active in the field, sharing knowledge and expertise with the next generation of pathology professionals while continuing to make an impact.
What assessors say
UKAS Assessors frequently highlight how the role enhances their understanding of laboratory services and provides valuable experiences they can bring back to their own organisations:
“Becoming an assessor has been the best professional development I’ve ever undertaken. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the innovative approaches taken by others and learn how they tackle the same challenges we all face.”
“Assessments are an opportunity to share knowledge and help others improve, but I’ve also gained so much insight that’s directly benefited my own lab.”
A commitment to improvement
Pathology services that employ UKAS Assessors often find they benefit too. Assessors bring back a deeper understanding of accreditation requirements, helping their services remain compliant and prepared for future assessments. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement: individuals grow professionally, and the laboratories they work in gain insights and expertise that drive improvement.
Joining the network
UKAS seeks assessors with strong clinical or technical expertise in pathology, whether from a biomedical science, clinical scientist, or consultant background. While familiarity with ISO 15189:2022 is advantageous, full training is provided.
If you’re curious about the role and how it could work alongside your existing commitments, consider reaching out for an informal discussion. It’s a flexible and impactful way to contribute to the advancement of pathology services, while reaping significant benefits for your own career and organisation. If you would like to find out more about becoming an Assessor with UKAS, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team.