Cellular Pathology Operations Manager

Hywel Dda University Health Board; Carmarthen; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent health service provider in the UK is seeking a Cellular Pathology Operations Manager. The role involves managing operations within the Cellular Pathology Laboratories, overseeing budgets, ensuring quality and compliance with various standards, and providing expert leadership. Responsibilities include staff training, workload allocation, and maintaining operational procedures. The ideal candidate will have a relevant MSc, HCPC registration, and significant experience in a cellular pathology setting. Proficiency in Welsh is desirable but not mandatory. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Benefits

Support for Welsh language training

Professional development opportunities

Health and safety compliance training

Qualifications

• MSc or equivalent qualification essential.
• Registration with HCPC required.
• Extensive knowledge of complex laboratory practices necessary.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate staff in the pathology laboratory.
• Ensure compliance with clinical governance and quality standards.
• Manage financial resources and departmental budgets.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Technical oversight

Budget management

Team management

Quality assurance

Welsh language skills

Education

MSc or Equivalent Qualification

HCPC Registration

Management Qualification

Tools

Complex instrumentation

Job description

Main duties of the job

The Cellular Pathology Operations Manager is responsible for the organisation and quality of work within the Cellular Pathology Laboratories across Hywel Dda. This includes managing departmental budgets within agreed limits, ensuring compliance with risk management, quality management, clinical governance, and national standards (such as UKAS, HCPC, IBMS, and Welsh Government requirements). The role involves providing expert clinical and technical leadership, overseeing staff training in complex techniques, monitoring departmental activity, and supporting business, operational, and workforce planning. The manager also collaborates with colleagues to allocate workloads, oversees maintenance and repairs, ensures incident reporting and investigation, maintains standard operating procedures, and participates in service level agreements and policy development at both local and national levels.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job responsibilities

The post holder is responsible for leading and motivating staff, providing highly specialist advice on technical and clinical matters, and maintaining effective communication with internal and external stakeholders. They are expected to manage financial resources, lead procurement processes, and ensure accurate record-keeping and audit trails. The manager must support staff development, ensure compliance with training and regulatory requirements, and facilitate the introduction of new equipment and methodologies. They are also responsible for departmental IT security, data management, and supporting audits, research, and clinical trials. Additionally, the role requires maintaining up-to-date knowledge of health and safety legislation and ensuring departmental compliance with risk management policies.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers. The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on :13/01/2026

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• MSc or Equivalent Qualification or Fellowship of IBMS
• HCPC Registration
• Management Qualification or equivalent management experience
• On-going CPD
• Specialist medical laboratory knowledge (clinical and technical) across a range of complex work procedures and practices within the discipline
• In-depth knowledge of complex instrumentation, subject or speciality obtained through relevant training over and above that required for routine work
• Knowledge of and ability to use: Quality assurance/quality control procedures, Health and Safety procedures, Clinical Governance and Risk Management
• Knowledge of assessment / evaluation of training
• Knowledge of NHS Financial/Budgetary Processes
• IBMS Higher Specialist Certificate

Experience

• Prior experience as a senior Biomedical scientist in a Cellular Pathology discipline
• Training Experience
• Extensive relevant clinical/Technical experience
• Supervisory experience
• Management Experience
• Has undertaken project work or a research project

Other

• Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

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.