Microbiology Quality Lead

NHS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits to join a leading microbiology department as a Microbiology Quality Lead. This role involves overseeing quality management systems, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards, and supporting a dedicated team in delivering high-quality laboratory services. You will play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of microbiological services, contributing to the health and safety of the community. With a focus on professional development and a collaborative work environment, this position offers a chance to make a meaningful impact in a vital sector. Join a forward-thinking organization that values innovation and inclusivity.

Qualifications

• Masters or equivalent in Biomedical Science or relevant subject.
• Experience in quality assurance and microbiology laboratories.

Responsibilities

• Manage the quality system and ensure compliance with standards.
• Support laboratory staff in quality assurance activities.

Skills

Quality Assurance Principles

Laboratory Safety Requirements

Data Analysis

Project Coordination

Management Skills

Education

Masters in Biomedical Science

Degree in Biological Sciences

Tools

ISO 15189 Standards

Quality Management Systems

Job description

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest microbiology departments in England as a Microbiology Quality Lead (AFC Band 7 if HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist/Civil service SEO grade if non-HCPC registered).

The Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership (MMMP) is a collaboration between United Kingdom Health Security Agency and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. The Microbiology delivered from the MMMP employs around 130 staff and has a workload of approximately 1.2 million specimens a year, covering major clinical specialties including respiratory medicine, transplantation, burns, renal medicine, urology & paediatrics. The department embraces all aspects of a modern clinical bacteriology services combining traditional methodologies with laboratory automation. It has a friendly atmosphere with good team spirit and offers the opportunity for you to develop personally and professionally. The department is a designated IBMS training laboratory, has anextensive quality system in operation and is fully accredited by UKAS.You must be an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual with experience and understanding in quality and ideally clinical microbiology.

Main duties of the job

The Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership (MMMP) is a collaboration between Manchester Foundation Trust (MFT) and UKHSA. The microbiology partnership provides comprehensive routine services and specialist services to a wide range of hospitals across the North West at its laboratory facility at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

The postholder duties would include:

• To support the Quality management system in the MMMP.
• To support other members of the Quality team within the laboratory in ensuring that the quality system in place is maintained and continually developed.
• To ensure continued compliance with all required standards, regulations and guidelines.
• To liaise with all staff members in achieving, implementing and maintaining the accreditation of the laboratory. This will include advice on quality systems, accreditation and certification, as appropriate and to lead continual improvement in quality processes.

About us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Date posted

23 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£40,661 to £52,809 a year (AfC B7 £46,148-£52,809; SEO £40,661-46,513)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-LT-300353-EXT

Job locations

Manchester Lab, Manchester Royal Infirmary

Manchester

M13 9WZ

Job description Job responsibilities

• Support day to day responsibility for the effective management of the quality system and acting independently to make decisions on quality related matters
• To be responsible for the maintenance of the laboratorys quality manual
• Advise on quality issues across the whole department
• Support the maintenance of UKAS ISO 15189 standards for accreditation
• Produce departmental reports for the MMMP Quality group at regular intervals
• Support laboratory staff to perform quality assurance activities and monitor their effectiveness
• Assist staff to promote compliance with all relevant quality standards
• Support practical preparation for, and organisation of, inspections by third party assessors, such as UKAS, and certification bodies and to progress quality issues arising from these inspections
• Provide practical support for preparation for, and organisation of, inspections by second party assessors, such as commercial organisations, WHO, or research councils with whom collaborative and contract work is being undertaken
• Support Quality improvements as appropriate, involving the development of new protocols and procedures
• Develop a strategy for and implement the measuring and monitoring of key performance indicators within the laboratory
• Responsible for ensuring the provision and dissemination of Quality information
• Negotiate and agree work programmes for Quality Assurance staff with Laboratory Managers and be responsible for the management and organisation of development and research of quality systems.

Selection Process Details:

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency-based

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 16 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1000 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

The pile 'meets all essential criteria' will go through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

Masters or equivalent in Biomedical science/Quality or another relevant subject.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment

Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Competency-based

You will be invited to a single face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Selection Process

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Location

This role is based at Manchester Royal Infirmary. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

This role is being offered as lab based at our site at Manchester Royal Infirmary.If based at one of our labs, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check

Eligibility Criteria

External Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Face to Face interviews

If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Job description Job responsibilities

• Support day to day responsibility for the effective management of the quality system and acting independently to make decisions on quality related matters
• To be responsible for the maintenance of the laboratorys quality manual
• Advise on quality issues across the whole department
• Support the maintenance of UKAS ISO 15189 standards for accreditation
• Produce departmental reports for the MMMP Quality group at regular intervals
• Support laboratory staff to perform quality assurance activities and monitor their effectiveness
• Assist staff to promote compliance with all relevant quality standards
• Support practical preparation for, and organisation of, inspections by third party assessors, such as UKAS, and certification bodies and to progress quality issues arising from these inspections
• Provide practical support for preparation for, and organisation of, inspections by second party assessors, such as commercial organisations, WHO, or research councils with whom collaborative and contract work is being undertaken
• Support Quality improvements as appropriate, involving the development of new protocols and procedures
• Develop a strategy for and implement the measuring and monitoring of key performance indicators within the laboratory
• Responsible for ensuring the provision and dissemination of Quality information
• Negotiate and agree work programmes for Quality Assurance staff with Laboratory Managers and be responsible for the management and organisation of development and research of quality systems.

Selection Process Details:

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency-based

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 16 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1000 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

The pile 'meets all essential criteria' will go through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

Masters or equivalent in Biomedical science/Quality or another relevant subject.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment

Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Competency-based

You will be invited to a single face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Selection Process

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Location

This role is based at Manchester Royal Infirmary. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

This role is being offered as lab based at our site at Manchester Royal Infirmary.If based at one of our labs, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check

Eligibility Criteria

External Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Face to Face interviews

If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Masters or equivalent in Biomedical science/Quality or another relevant subject (for Civil Service terms and conditions)
• Degree in relevant subject (e.g. Biological Sciences or quality related) or equivalent level qualification or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area

Knowledge and Experience Essential

• Significant experience of successfully operating in a politically sensitive environment
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Demonstrated experience of co-ordinating projects in complex and challenging environments
• Experience of managing risks and reporting
• Experience of drafting briefing papers and correspondence at management team level
• Relevant experience of working in a range of microbiology laboratories.

Skills and Capabilities Essential

• Understands quality assurance principles and procedures.
• Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures.
• Understanding of training programmes and training assessment.
• Evidence of in depth technical and theoretical knowledge of molecular techniques.
• Ability to analyse data and present it in a meaningful way
• Aptitude for managing people and assessing performance
• Able to criticise constructively, to introduce improvements and to manage change.
• Computer literate.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Masters or equivalent in Biomedical science/Quality or another relevant subject (for Civil Service terms and conditions)
• Degree in relevant subject (e.g. Biological Sciences or quality related) or equivalent level qualification or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area

Knowledge and Experience Essential

• Significant experience of successfully operating in a politically sensitive environment
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Demonstrated experience of co-ordinating projects in complex and challenging environments
• Experience of managing risks and reporting
• Experience of drafting briefing papers and correspondence at management team level
• Relevant experience of working in a range of microbiology laboratories.

Skills and Capabilities Essential

• Understands quality assurance principles and procedures.
• Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures.
• Understanding of training programmes and training assessment.
• Evidence of in depth technical and theoretical knowledge of molecular techniques.
• Ability to analyse data and present it in a meaningful way
• Aptitude for managing people and assessing performance
• Able to criticise constructively, to introduce improvements and to manage change.
• Computer literate.

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).

Additional information 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).

Employer details Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Manchester Lab, Manchester Royal Infirmary

Manchester

M13 9WZ

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Manchester Lab, Manchester Royal Infirmary

Manchester

M13 9WZ

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)