NHS Blood and Transplant

Deputy Lab -Quality Manager Microbiology Services

The closing date is 28 January 2026

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

On a day-to-day basis your responsibilities will include: Under the direction of the Laboratory Manager, Microbiology Services Laboratory provide leadership and management of staff in the laboratory. Overall responsibility for the Quality Management System (QMS) for the Microbiology Services Laboratory, ensuring processes for the QMS are established, implemented and maintained. Manage day-to-day activities within the laboratory, responsible for the standard of work and deputising for the Laboratory Manager as required. Providing leadership and management to ensure the successful and effective operation of the laboratory by prioritising, organising and supervising the work of staff within the laboratory ensuring excellence in practice and service delivery Providing theoretical and practical scientific and technical input to ensure the overall output of the laboratory is of a high quality, appropriate, relevant, consistent and reliable. Planning and co-ordinating activities relating to audit & accreditation e.g. UKAS, integrated and internal audits.

About us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, youll 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.

Details

Date posted

18 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

10 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

007853

Job locations

Colindale Centre

London

United Kingdom

NW9 5BG


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please view the attached recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification for the full personal attributes we require for the role. You will need to demonstrate these throughout the recruitment process.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please view the attached recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification for the full personal attributes we require for the role. You will need to demonstrate these throughout the recruitment process.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc in Medical Microbiology or relevant science
  • Science FIBMS or MSc in Medical Microbiology or relevant science/ or equivalent specialist knowledge to masters level attained post BSc
  • Requirement for HCPC professional registration required (which must be maintained in the role.
  • Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD)

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in a microbiology diagnostic/testing laboratory
  • Leadership and Management experience
  • Knowledge of NHSBTs Quality Management System (QMS)
  • Good understanding of relevant policies, standards and guidelines e.g. Good Manufacturing Practice, Good Laboratory Practice, UK Accreditation Scheme, MHRA, HTA and other relevant or statutory guidelines
  • Experience and participation in regulatory and accreditation audits (internal and external)
  • Experience of managing workloads and staff to ensure effective service provision
  • Experience of selection, training and development of staff.
  • Understanding of NHSBT and the wider healthcare community
  • Breadth and depth of knowledge to be able to deputise and provide effective cover for the Microbiology Services Laboratory Manager
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc in Medical Microbiology or relevant science
  • Science FIBMS or MSc in Medical Microbiology or relevant science/ or equivalent specialist knowledge to masters level attained post BSc
  • Requirement for HCPC professional registration required (which must be maintained in the role.
  • Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD)

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in a microbiology diagnostic/testing laboratory
  • Leadership and Management experience
  • Knowledge of NHSBTs Quality Management System (QMS)
  • Good understanding of relevant policies, standards and guidelines e.g. Good Manufacturing Practice, Good Laboratory Practice, UK Accreditation Scheme, MHRA, HTA and other relevant or statutory guidelines
  • Experience and participation in regulatory and accreditation audits (internal and external)
  • Experience of managing workloads and staff to ensure effective service provision
  • Experience of selection, training and development of staff.
  • Understanding of NHSBT and the wider healthcare community
  • Breadth and depth of knowledge to be able to deputise and provide effective cover for the Microbiology Services Laboratory Manager

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.

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

Colindale Centre

London

United Kingdom

NW9 5BG


Employer's website

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

Colindale Centre

London

United Kingdom

NW9 5BG


Employer's website

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Laboratory Manager

Mhairi Webster

mhairi.webster@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

18 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

10 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

007853

Job locations

Colindale Centre

London

United Kingdom

NW9 5BG


Supporting documents

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