The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Microbiology Deputy Laboratory Manager

The closing date is 04 March 2026

Job summary

The Royal Marsden has a vital role in championing change and improvement in cancer care through research and innovation, education and leading-edge practice. We are incredibly proud of our international reputation for pushing the boundaries and for our ground-breaking work ensuring our patients receive the very best and latest in cancer treatment and care.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Deputy Laboratory Manager (Microbiology), with good interpersonal skills and a committed team worker to join the Microbiology department, located at the Sutton site of The Royal Marsden Hospital. The major focus of the role will be supporting the Laboratory Manager in the service provision of a timely, cross-site clinically critical Microbiology Laboratory service covering Chelsea and Sutton, providing an expert diagnostic service both for its own lead clinician & IPC nursing leads and also particularly for those in the clinical haemato-oncology and Stem Cell Laboratory. The post holder will also act as the Health & Safety Lead for Pathology.

Applicants must have a relevant higher degree or equivalent, HCPC registration, evidence of post-registration study and basic management skills training. Experience of operational laboratory management is desirable.

The Trust encourages and supports continuing professional and personal development and Pathology runs a CPD Club. Staff benefits include child care facilities, car parking at Sutton and various sports and social activities

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for the day to day technical and operational management of the Medical Microbiology laboratory, ensuring appropriate and cost-effective purchasing arrangements for equipment and materials, and the delivery of training to BMS and other staff within the Department to ensure continuity of service at all times.

The post holder will lead in the development and validation of new techniques.The post holder, working closely with the Laboratory Manager and the Laboratory Quality Lead will ensure ongoing compliance with ISO15189 and play a major role in UKAS inspections.

About us

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Details

Date posted

18 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£61,631 to £68,623 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-SA1283

Job locations

The Royal Marsden Hospital

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Job description

Job responsibilities

Supervise and, in the absence of the Laboratory Manager, take responsibility for the service provision of the Medical Microbiology Laboratory. This will include all aspects of the clinical scientific & technical work, staff, equipment and quality system.

To work with the Laboratory Manager to ensure that working practices meet current professional standards and legislation, and are documented, accessible and regularly reviewed

Data entry: Using the LIMS to receive and report sample requests

In addition to the LIMS, to oversee all IT software and hardware in use in the laboratories (for example, analyser software, interfaces), to evaluate before installation, to be fully conversant with functionality and ensure staff are trained in its use

To maintain up to date knowledge on all aspects of diagnostic laboratory microbiology

Working closely with the Laboratory Manager, the Pathology Quality Manager and the Laboratory Quality Lead, will ensure ongoing compliance with ISO15189 and play a major role in UKAS inspections, including but not restricted to, directing staff in the completion of related tasks, preparing documentation and ensuring all evidence required for the inspection is compliant with the standards

Undertake verification and validation of new equipment prior to service introduction, ensuring that it meets current requirements and ensure validation records are completed

Job description

Job responsibilities

Supervise and, in the absence of the Laboratory Manager, take responsibility for the service provision of the Medical Microbiology Laboratory. This will include all aspects of the clinical scientific & technical work, staff, equipment and quality system.

To work with the Laboratory Manager to ensure that working practices meet current professional standards and legislation, and are documented, accessible and regularly reviewed

Data entry: Using the LIMS to receive and report sample requests

In addition to the LIMS, to oversee all IT software and hardware in use in the laboratories (for example, analyser software, interfaces), to evaluate before installation, to be fully conversant with functionality and ensure staff are trained in its use

To maintain up to date knowledge on all aspects of diagnostic laboratory microbiology

Working closely with the Laboratory Manager, the Pathology Quality Manager and the Laboratory Quality Lead, will ensure ongoing compliance with ISO15189 and play a major role in UKAS inspections, including but not restricted to, directing staff in the completion of related tasks, preparing documentation and ensuring all evidence required for the inspection is compliant with the standards

Undertake verification and validation of new equipment prior to service introduction, ensuring that it meets current requirements and ensure validation records are completed

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to write clearly and concisely
  • Educational qualification in mathematics

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to express themselves clearly
  • Ability to use Microsoft software or equivalent

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Evidence of personal development
  • Enthusiasm for job and profession
  • Ability to chair laboratory / departmental meetings
  • Confident liaising with other areas
  • Decision maker, can deal with unexpected situations
  • Ability to present concepts imaginatively and clearly

Specific Experience

Essential

  • BMS degree
  • HCPC registration
  • Chartered Scientist status
  • Evidence of continuing post registration study
  • Higher degree or equivalent Qualification in specific area of laboratory service or expertise
  • Significant post registration experience in relevant field(s)
  • Evidence of understanding of relevant laboratory Health & Safety procedures and risk
  • Full understanding of ISO15189 standards
  • Ability to deal with incidents and plan follow up actions

Desirable

  • Basic management skills training

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Good telephone manner, diplomatic
  • Ability to perform complex scientific calculations and data analysis
  • Ability to perform statistical analysis of data & interpretation
  • Good judgement, analytical, perceptive, eye for detail
  • Understanding of relationship between laboratory investigations and clinical practice
  • Awareness of clinical significance of laboratory findings and implications for patients
  • Ability to review anomalous / unexpected findings and take further appropriate action
Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to write clearly and concisely
  • Educational qualification in mathematics

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to express themselves clearly
  • Ability to use Microsoft software or equivalent

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Evidence of personal development
  • Enthusiasm for job and profession
  • Ability to chair laboratory / departmental meetings
  • Confident liaising with other areas
  • Decision maker, can deal with unexpected situations
  • Ability to present concepts imaginatively and clearly

Specific Experience

Essential

  • BMS degree
  • HCPC registration
  • Chartered Scientist status
  • Evidence of continuing post registration study
  • Higher degree or equivalent Qualification in specific area of laboratory service or expertise
  • Significant post registration experience in relevant field(s)
  • Evidence of understanding of relevant laboratory Health & Safety procedures and risk
  • Full understanding of ISO15189 standards
  • Ability to deal with incidents and plan follow up actions

Desirable

  • Basic management skills training

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Good telephone manner, diplomatic
  • Ability to perform complex scientific calculations and data analysis
  • Ability to perform statistical analysis of data & interpretation
  • Good judgement, analytical, perceptive, eye for detail
  • Understanding of relationship between laboratory investigations and clinical practice
  • Awareness of clinical significance of laboratory findings and implications for patients
  • Ability to review anomalous / unexpected findings and take further appropriate action

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Marsden Hospital

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Marsden Hospital

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Laboratory Manager

Komal Vaghela

komal.vaghela@rmh.nhs.uk

02086613787

Details

Date posted

18 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£61,631 to £68,623 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-SA1283

Job locations

The Royal Marsden Hospital

Sutton

SM2 5PT


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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