Blood Sciences and Immunology Quality Lead

The Methodist Church in Britain; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Development opportunities

On-site facilities

Transport/parking perks

Food facilities on campus

Flexible working hours

Alternative hours possible

Job summary

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Quality Lead for Blood Sciences and Immunology. The role focuses on leading the quality management system, ensuring ISO 15189 compliance and supporting UKAS accreditation through audits and corrective actions.

The post requires HCPC registration, an honours degree, and experience in quality management within laboratory services. Mentoring and team leadership are integral to the role, with opportunities to influence strategy and

Qualifications

• Honours degree in a relevant discipline and HCPC registration.
• MSc, IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or FIBMS in Biochemistry, Haematology or Immunology, or equivalent experience.
• Proven practical experience with quality management systems and audits.
• Experience in risk assessments and root cause analysis within a laboratory setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and promote quality across Blood Sciences and Immunology.
• Maintain ISO 15189 compliance and support UKAS accreditation.
• Oversee audits, investigations and corrective actions.
• Drive continuous quality improvement and governance.
• Mentor and lead laboratory staff and multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Quality management

Audit

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Team leadership

LIMS

Clinical governance

Education

Honours degree

MSc or IBMS qualification

Tools

LIMS

Pathology IT

Job description

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Quality Lead for its Blood Sciences and Immunology laboratory service. The post centres on running and improving the quality management system, keeping the department compliant with ISO 15189 and supporting UKAS accreditation, including audits, investigations and corrective actions. It suits an experienced Healthcare Scientist moving into a leadership role, with mentoring and team leadership included. HCPC registration is required and visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Act as Quality Lead for Blood Sciences and Immunology, promoting quality across the department
• Promote, implement, audit and maintain the quality management system as a key member of the department
• Ensure continued compliance with ISO 15189 as accredited by UKAS
• Apply modern quality management and process control to clinical governance and risk management
• Lead the team in continuous improvement and development of laboratory services
• Demonstrate expertise in quality and risk management
• Support UKAS accreditation activities
• Oversee audits, investigations and corrective actions
• Drive quality improvement initiatives and promote a culture of continual improvement
• Influence strategic quality priorities
• Work with laboratory managers, clinical leads and multidisciplinary teams
• Maintain and promote the professional image of the Trust

Qualifications

• Honours degree in a relevant discipline
• MSc, IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or FIBMS in Biochemistry, Haematology or Immunology, or equivalent experience

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration as Clinical or Biomedical Scientist

Experience

• Practical experience of quality management systems
• Audit and developing policy and procedure
• Performing and evaluating risk assessments and root cause analysis
• Laboratory information management and pathology IT systems
• Proven success communicating highly complex information to staff and healthcare professionals

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of quality management and accreditation systems, ISO 15189, I-passport/IQM, risk management and clinical governance
• Knowledge of routine and specialised analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving
• Interpretation and analytical skills, with manual dexterity for complex laboratory techniques
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with influencing and negotiating skills at all levels
• Interpersonal skills, working in a team or alone, and prioritising own and others' workload

Other

• Demonstrable mentoring skills
• Use of Microsoft Office products
• Behaves towards patients, visitors and colleagues in line with the Trust values of safe, kind and excellent

Nice to have

• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Holds or working towards a qualification supporting quality management responsibilities
• Awareness of current and developing NHS and healthcare issues, and previous NHS experience
• Experience of managing people
• Highly specialist laboratory experience across a range of procedures, with well-developed technical skills for complex techniques
• Knowledge of CUH managerial policies and procedures and how they affect laboratory staff
• European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent, and health and safety knowledge
• Ability to concentrate for long periods, respond flexibly to service needs, and work with minimal supervision

What's offered

• Development opportunities
• On-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries
• Reduced-cost Stagecoach bus travel, free Park and Ride and train station routes, and subsidised on-site parking for eligible staff
• Hot food on campus 24/7 at reduced cost, and free tea and coffee in the staff pod break space
• Flexible working options including part-time, job-share, term-time and flexible start and finish times
• Alternative working hours considered in some cases