Job Description
Deputy Laboratory Manager/Quality Manager
Job Summary
As an integral member of the Microbiology Services Laboratory management team, and together with the Deputy Laboratory Manager/Business continuity manager, you will be overseeing the day-to-day work of the laboratory staff and see to it that the highest scientific, technical and operational standards are being maintained. With overarching responsibility for the Quality Management System (QMS), you will establish and maintain the relevant processes so that we remain in line with the standards sets by regulatory and accrediting agencies such as MHRA, HTA and UKAS. As the main point of contact for internal and external audits and inspections, you will handle associated auditing activities, including ensuring quality documentation is up to date. Inevitably quality incidents do occasionally happen, so you will ensure these are investigated and work in partnership with other stakeholders to resolve issues that may impact on other departments. Supporting the Laboratory Manager in their work, you will embrace the chance to step up when they are unavailable, thereby ensuring we are delivering a consistently exceptional microbiology service to both internal and external stakeholders. From assessing new techniques and processes, through to developing the skills of the laboratory staff, this is a highly varied role that will present you with new challenges and opportunities every single day.
Main duties of the job
- Lead, organise and supervise the work of scientific and technical staff to ensure high-quality laboratory services and excellent standards of practice.
- Provide day-to-day leadership and management of the laboratory team, supporting effective and efficient operations.
- Take responsibility for the laboratory's Quality Management System, ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements, including MHRA, HTA and UKAS.
- Plan and coordinate audit and accreditation activities, acting as a key contact during inspections and visits.
- Lead the management of quality documentation, quality assurance activities, audits and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Investigate quality incidents, undertake root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to improve performance and reduce risk.
- Analyse, interpret and report laboratory results, ensuring outputs are accurate, reliable and clinically relevant.
- Support the development and implementation of new processes, technologies and Lean improvement initiatives.
- Develop, coach and support staff through training, performance reviews and recruitment activities.
- Deputise for the Laboratory Manager and contribute to strategic planning, service development and operational performance.
About You
Experience and Knowledge
- Experience of working in microbiology, including within a diagnostic or testing laboratory environment.
- Proven management and leadership experience, with the ability to motivate teams and manage workloads effectively.
- Strong understanding of quality management systems, regulatory standards and laboratory accreditation requirements, including GMP, GLP, UKAS, MHRA and HTA.
- Experience of participating in regulatory and accreditation audits and driving quality improvements.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving and organisational skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
Qualifications and Training
- BSc (Hons) in Medical Microbiology or a relevant scientific discipline.
- FIBMS, MSc in Medical Microbiology, relevant scientific master's qualification, or equivalent specialist knowledge gained through experience.
- HCPC registration, maintained throughout employment in the role.
- Evidence of continued professional development (CPD).
- Membership of a relevant professional body, such as the Association of Clinical Microbiologists, British Blood Transfusion Society or Institute of Biomedical Science.
About Us
It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.
Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do.
By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work – and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.
You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
What we offer:
- Hybrid working arrangements – because NHSBT works nationally, we’re able to offer hybrid working options that give you more flexibility to balance work with life.
- Flexible working options – we promote flexible working where the role allows. We’re happy to discuss what flexibility might look like for you.
- Generous annual leave - 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
- Inclusive pension scheme - the NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns). Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions
- Supportive learning culture - we’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
- Health and wellbeing support – we offer confidential services including occupational health, employee assistance programme, and wellbeing resources. Our support is available to all colleagues and we endeavour to provide tailored workplace adjustments where possible.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. We will talk with you to explore any adjustments that may help you during the recruitment process.
You can find more information about accessibility, our culture, and how we support applicants on the NHSBT Careers website:
To learn more, please see the job description and person specification. These can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.
Next steps
This vacancy will close at 23:59pm on Sunday 22nd November 2026.
The assessment process for this role will include a single interview. Interviews are anticipated to be held on w/c 7th December 2026 – subject to confirmation.
For informal enquiries please contact –
Name: Mhairi Webster
Job Title: Laboratory Manager
Contact Details: Email – mhairi.webster@nhsbt.nhs.uk
