Paediatric Histology Deputy Laboratory Manager Manchester

Job summary

Band 7 Paediatric Histology Deputy Laboratory Manager

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Biomedical Scientist to join Paediatric Histopathology as a Band 7 Deputy Laboratory Manager and Training Lead.

The post holder will support the Laboratory Manager in the day-to-day operational management of the service, providing professional leadership, staff supervision and quality oversight. They will also take a lead role in the coordination and development of departmental training, competency assessment and staff development, while maintaining an active role within the laboratory.

Significant post-registration experience within Paediatric Histopathology is essential for this role, alongside strong leadership, organisational, training and communication skills.

Main duties of the job

• Support the Laboratory Manager with the operational management and delivery of the Paediatric Histopathology service.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, supervision and support to Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Medical Laboratory Assistants.
• Coordinate workload and staffing to ensure safe, effective and timely service delivery.
• Lead and support staff training, competency assessment and professional development.
• Maintain an active technical role within the laboratory and provide bench cover where required.
• Support compliance with ISO 15189, departmental quality systems, SOPs, audits and accreditation requirements.
• Contribute to risk management, incident investigation, corrective actions and service improvement.
• Support implementation and validation of new equipment, methods and service developments.
• Promote effective communication and collaborative working within Paediatric Histopathology and with the wider pathology and clinical teams.
• Deputise for the Laboratory Manager as required.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.

Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.

At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Details

Date posted: 10 September 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum (pro rata)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 349-CSS-8241689-RL3

Job locations: Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others.Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant BSc Degree in Biomedical Sciences (or equivalent) acceptable for registration with HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist
• State registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist.
• Evidence of CPD
• Relevant qualification to Masters level, or HCP Apprenticeship Level 7 or IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma of expert practice in a relevant field or demonstrable equivalent knowledge and experience

Desirable

• Training for Trainers Qualification
• management qualification or relevant experience
• Fellowship of IBMS

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge and experience of Quality Management Systems in Pathology.
• Proven Leadership and supervisory experience
• Extensive post-registration experience in Histopathology.
• A sound understanding of basic physiology, pathology and scientific principles relevant to Histopathology
• Maintain professional knowledge including local and national initiatives

Desirable

• A thorough understanding of H&S legislation
• A wide knowledge of current developments in the NHS

training and experience

Essential

• Experience of coordinating workload, staff and resources to meet clinical and operational demands.
• Experience in service improvement in Pathology
• Experience of training and competency assessment BMS and MLA staff.
• Experience in working towards ISO 15189 standards.
• Experience of operating, troubleshooting and maintaining complex laboratory equipment
• Experience of specialist Paediatric Histopathology techniques and workflows.

Desirable

• Experience of deputising for a laboratory manager or other senior manager.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to work unsupervised
• Ability to prioritise workload to meet clinical demands
• Ability to communicate with a range of staff and audiences, skills and abilities.
• Ability to lead, support and develop staff, including training and competency development.
• Evidence of working as part of a team
• Good IT skills including use of MS Office Applications
• Effective leadership, problem solving, decision-making and multidisciplinary team-working skills.
• Ability to deputise for the Laboratory Manager and make effective operational decisions within delegated authority.

Attributes

Essential

• Flexible approach to work and hours which may vary according to departmental need
• Approachable and supportive leadership style with a commitment to safe, high quality paediatric patient care

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Paediatric Histopathology Laboratory Manager
Emma Jacobs
emma.jacobs@mft.nhs.uk
01617010603

Supporting documents

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