Microbiology Laboratory Manager

Job Summary

Are you a suitably qualified and motivated individual looking to develop your career as a Lead Biomedical Scientist for University Hospitals Plymouth Microbiology service? We currently have an exciting opportunity to join our Microbiology team, supporting and serving our clinical partners throughout the South West Peninsula. Reporting to the Deputy Pathology Service Line Manager, you will be a part of the Senior Pathology Management & Leadership Team. This is an opportunity to utilise your existing experience and develop your knowledge and skills working within a progressive Peninsula Pathology Network. Our laboratories are UKAS accredited, have full HCPC/IBMS training accreditation and support a range of educational pathways to professional success. You will hold a post graduate qualification or be a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Scientists and will be State Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You will be self‑motivated with excellent communication skills and have significant experience in the discipline of Microbiology.

Main duties of the job

• Overall responsibility for the operational planning, organisation and delivery of the quality diagnostic Microbiology service in collaboration with the Pathology Service Line Manager, Deputy Pathology Service Line Manager, Consultant Head of Department and Pathology Service Line Clinical Director.
• Managerial responsibility for the following Pathology Services in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Trust: Bacteriology, Serology, Mycology, Molecular & Virology.
• Will participate as a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) within Microbiology and the wider Pathology service supporting the Pathology Service Line Manager, Deputy Pathology Service Line Manager, Consultant Head of Department and Pathology Consultant Service Line Clinical Director in the strategic development of services which impact across the health community both locally and within the peninsula.
• Responsibility for managing all resources in Microbiology ensuring the resources are used effectively and efficiently whilst adhering to Trust Standard Financial Instructions (SFIs) and delivering agreed cost improvements allocated by the Trust. The post holder will have delegated responsibility for managing the departmental budget of £7 million.
• Responsibility for effective liaison between the Microbiology service, the Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) service and the Trust.

About Us

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams.

Details

Date posted: 28 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8b
Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time
Reference number: 216‑AM‑C7467266
Job locations: Derriford, Derriford road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH

Job responsibilities

• To prioritise Microbiology service plans and workload to ensure the efficient, safe, and timely provision of results for direct patient care, both in primary and secondary care.
• To be responsible for Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) for all services delivered by the department.
• To ensure all services are provided within the current legal and ethical frameworks, as directed by senior managers / clinical directors.
• To assist the operational management teams within the Trust to meet and deliver targets and agendas.
• To identify and promote best practice in all areas.
• To establish and develop processes for the setting of standards for the provision of Pathology services, within allocated areas of responsibility.
• To be responsible for the maintenance and development of all departmental equipment and any future technological developments.
• To manage the work of senior staff in the operational area and develop a culture in which members of staff are continuously improving the delivery of high‑quality services.
• To be responsible for ensuring all relevant contractual obligations to ICBs, NHS Trusts and all commercial contracts are met with appropriate income generated.
• To delegate authority, as appropriate, to ensure all other staff contribute effectively to the service and to patient care.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications:

• Educated to BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences or a degree acceptable to the Institute of Biomedical Sciences and the Health & Care Professions Council. The latter will require a Post Graduate Certificate, a Post Graduate Diploma or an MSc in Biomedical Sciences. Or recognised equivalent qualification.
• MSc in Biomedical Sciences or Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (FIBMS) by examination (MSc equivalent)
• Proven evidence of Continual Professional Development

Knowledge and Experience:

• Significant demonstrable experience of staff development and performance management
• Significant managerial demonstrable experience in a Microbiology laboratory, which handles a total workload of >500k patient samples per annum.
• Proven demonstrable experience as a training officer

Desirable:

• A willingness to undertake study leading to qualifications required for career advancement
• Proven knowledge of the principles of LEAN, 6s and 6 sigma
• Demonstrable experience of Oracle procurement systems.

Aptitude & Abilities:

• Ability to manage one\’s own schedule with frequent and conflicting interruptions whilst completing priorities on a daily basis.
• Interprets national plans e.g. Pathology Modernisation Plan and develops local strategies and projects to implement them

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address: Derriford, Derriford road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH
Employer\’s website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/