Job summary
Microbiology Manager
Department: Microbiology
Band 8a
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
An opportunity has arisen within this busy Pathology service to join the microbiology team. You will be part of a dedicated team of healthcare professionals who deliver a high-quality service that is responsive to patient requirements.
Awareness of the requirements for compliance with the ISO15189, HSE and UKHSE standards is a key requirement for this role. We look to continually improve our services for our patients and are therefore looking for staff with the right attitude who will work with us to achieve this. We are looking for a HCPC competent and versatile person with good technical and management knowledge of delivering a microbiology service.
The successful applicant would have experienced in change management, delivery of performance against KPIs and financial targets
We are committed to the quality of service and are currently working towards UKAS ISO15189 accreditation.
Interviews will be held on 23rd September 2025. For further information contact Nazia Hussain, Pathology Service Manager (Nazia.hussain@mkuh.nhs.uk) on 07989144737
Main duties of the job
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
Healthcare Scientists feels their health safety and wellbeing is support at work. (Staff Survey, 2024)
The post holder will take responsibility for the day-to-day management matters in the local hospital laboratories and react appropriately to all ongoing issues. They will provide professional leadership and line management for the scientific staff. Be responsible for the managing of performance and discipline, including working to targets, statutory requirements such as health and safety, UKHSE and within available budgets. To work with the Pathology Service Manager and senior colleagues in setting the strategic direction and planning future developments for the Department.
- To be responsible for the daily management of the Microbiology laboratory department and its staff and deliver a microbiology Service.
- Delegated responsibility to inform and implement strategic developments within their team.
- Delegated management of resources and service delivery, which is closely monitored.
- Manage the maintenance of robust systems of clinical governance in place for teams.
- Manage delegated elements of staffing budgets and hold signatory status on behalf of the Pathology Service Manager.
- They will be involved in setting priorities, initiating developments, overseeing audit and training across the Microbiology team.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication and relationship skills
- Liaise with the Consultant Microbiologists and the Pathology Service Manager in the technical, scientific, clinical and administrative work of the Microbiology Department.
Liaise with departmental technical and clinical staff to ensure that all scientific and clinical work is performed to professional standards.
Liaise with other professionals, which may include sensitive information, as required.
Motivate staff in the performance of their duties to enable them to meet personal and departmental targets.
Analytical & Judgemental Skills
Use experience, knowledge and judgement to interpret complex results, take appropriate actions in line with local and national policies.
To advise and provide expert interpretation of results produced by the laboratory.
Provide statistical analysis of service workload including test volumes, cost per test, test turnaround times and test requesting frequency/repeat intervals.
Planning & Organisational Skills
Coordinate delivery of laboratory service with other Blood Science and Pathology operational leads.
Take a leading role strategic planning in service area ensuring that changes in users requirements are monitored, planned for, costed and where agreed implemented.
Take leading role in planning of local service to align with aims of Pathology Network, service commissioners and clinical programs including but not exclusive of the Antenatal & Newborn Screening.
Responsibility for Patient/ Client Care
Responsible for managing all patient/service user complaints and/or incidents in accordance with Pathology and Trust Policies.
Lead investigations where service delivery falls below expectations and present reports if required to the Trust Quality Board and Serious Incidents Review Group.
Responsible for delivery of laboratory service to the Trust.
To provide expert opinion and scientific/technical advice to clinicians.
Responsibility for Policy/ Service Development
To develop, inform and implement both departmental and Trust Policies, guidelines, patient information and user information that relate to the Microbiology Laboratory Service
To develop and implement novel test protocols and analytic metrics that positively impact on patient care.
To evaluate new methods and technologies and implement changes where appropriate to improve the service provision.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication and relationship skills
- Liaise with the Consultant Microbiologists and the Pathology Service Manager in the technical, scientific, clinical and administrative work of the Microbiology Department.
Liaise with departmental technical and clinical staff to ensure that all scientific and clinical work is performed to professional standards.
Liaise with other professionals, which may include sensitive information, as required.
Motivate staff in the performance of their duties to enable them to meet personal and departmental targets.
Analytical & Judgemental Skills
Use experience, knowledge and judgement to interpret complex results, take appropriate actions in line with local and national policies.
To advise and provide expert interpretation of results produced by the laboratory.
Provide statistical analysis of service workload including test volumes, cost per test, test turnaround times and test requesting frequency/repeat intervals.
Planning & Organisational Skills
Coordinate delivery of laboratory service with other Blood Science and Pathology operational leads.
Take a leading role strategic planning in service area ensuring that changes in users requirements are monitored, planned for, costed and where agreed implemented.
Take leading role in planning of local service to align with aims of Pathology Network, service commissioners and clinical programs including but not exclusive of the Antenatal & Newborn Screening.
Responsibility for Patient/ Client Care
Responsible for managing all patient/service user complaints and/or incidents in accordance with Pathology and Trust Policies.
Lead investigations where service delivery falls below expectations and present reports if required to the Trust Quality Board and Serious Incidents Review Group.
Responsible for delivery of laboratory service to the Trust.
To provide expert opinion and scientific/technical advice to clinicians.
Responsibility for Policy/ Service Development
To develop, inform and implement both departmental and Trust Policies, guidelines, patient information and user information that relate to the Microbiology Laboratory Service
To develop and implement novel test protocols and analytic metrics that positively impact on patient care.
To evaluate new methods and technologies and implement changes where appropriate to improve the service provision.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- HCPC State Registration and MSc/FIBMS or equivalent.
- Recognised management qualification or suitable proven and relevant experience of managing laboratory Microbiology department at a supervisory or managerial level.
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development.
- Extensive knowledge of ISO 15189 standards for Medical Laboratories
- Knowledge of laboratory training and competency requirements
- Knowledge of NHSI Pathology initiatives i.e. Model Hospital data requirements
- Extensive understanding of Quality Assurance
- Knowledge of professional Health & Safety legislation/requirements
- Knowledge of GDPR requirements
Desirable
- Comprehensive specialist knowledge in the field of Laboratory Haematology
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post qualification experience in Laboratory Microbiology at a Senior level (band 7 and above)
- Experience in training, organisation and management of staff of all grades.
- Experience in the evaluation and introduction of new technologies and techniques.
- Extensive experience in the use and maintenance of Quality Management Systems including ISO 15189 accreditation inspections.
- Experience in financial/ resource management
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage competing priorities
- Literate with all Microsoft Office applications
- Report writing skills
- Complex data interpretation skills
- Statistical analysis skills
- Complex option appraisal skills
- Organisational skills leading to service delivery.
- Strategic planning skills
- Change control/management skills
- Highly developed practical and technical skills in chemical pathology laboratory techniques
Desirable
- Risk assessment skills
- Self-inspection auditing skills
Personal and people development
Essential
- Line management & HR experience/skills including staff AJR, absence monitoring and performance management.
- Teaching/Training skills at a level suitable for clinical, technical & support staff
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills with clarity and good command of written and spoken English, report writing skills
- Good effective communications with service users
- Presentation/ communication ability to a wide range of audience
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- HCPC State Registration and MSc/FIBMS or equivalent.
- Recognised management qualification or suitable proven and relevant experience of managing laboratory Microbiology department at a supervisory or managerial level.
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development.
- Extensive knowledge of ISO 15189 standards for Medical Laboratories
- Knowledge of laboratory training and competency requirements
- Knowledge of NHSI Pathology initiatives i.e. Model Hospital data requirements
- Extensive understanding of Quality Assurance
- Knowledge of professional Health & Safety legislation/requirements
- Knowledge of GDPR requirements
Desirable
- Comprehensive specialist knowledge in the field of Laboratory Haematology
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post qualification experience in Laboratory Microbiology at a Senior level (band 7 and above)
- Experience in training, organisation and management of staff of all grades.
- Experience in the evaluation and introduction of new technologies and techniques.
- Extensive experience in the use and maintenance of Quality Management Systems including ISO 15189 accreditation inspections.
- Experience in financial/ resource management
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage competing priorities
- Literate with all Microsoft Office applications
- Report writing skills
- Complex data interpretation skills
- Statistical analysis skills
- Complex option appraisal skills
- Organisational skills leading to service delivery.
- Strategic planning skills
- Change control/management skills
- Highly developed practical and technical skills in chemical pathology laboratory techniques
Desirable
- Risk assessment skills
- Self-inspection auditing skills
Personal and people development
Essential
- Line management & HR experience/skills including staff AJR, absence monitoring and performance management.
- Teaching/Training skills at a level suitable for clinical, technical & support staff
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills with clarity and good command of written and spoken English, report writing skills
- Good effective communications with service users
- Presentation/ communication ability to a wide range of audience
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
