Office Manager Cellular Pathology

NHS; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A local NHS trust in Chelmsford is seeking an experienced Office Manager for the Cellular Pathology department. This role involves leading the administrative team, ensuring quality service delivery in histology, and providing support to management. Candidates should have significant NHS experience and strong leadership skills. The position offers competitive salary, opportunities for career development, and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Career development opportunities

Flexible working environment

Qualifications

• Experience of leading and managing a large team.
• Significant knowledge of computer systems in NHS.
• Ability to work independently to identify risks.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the management of the Cellular Pathology office.
• Ensure compliance with histology service quality standards.
• Provide leadership to the Admin & Clerical team.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project Management

Negotiation

Education

A-level standard or higher in Administrative Studies

Tools

Winpath LIMS systems

Computer systems within NHS Healthcare

Job description

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Office Manager Cellular Pathology

The closing date is 21 January 2026

We are looking for an experienced office manager or team leader, to join the friendly team in Histopathology at Broomfield Hospital.

Cellular Pathology at Broomfield Hospital is a busy department that incorporates Histology and Non-gynae sample preparations. The department handles over 30,000 specimens p.a.

You will be responsible for ensuring robust systems are in place for the management and co-ordination of the Cellular Pathology office, providing comprehensive administrative support and knowledge to the Consultant Histopathologist team and junior doctors. Working closely with the laboratory team, cancer pathway trackers and Pathology management team and colleagues across MSE.

You will provide excellent leadership to the Cellular Pathology Admin & Clerical team and support the department in order to successfully achieve the current Histology cancer waiting times target.

You will provide high level, professional and confidential support to the Operational Manager and Service Unit manager covering all aspects of the service provision, ensuring the delivery of high quality histology service.

This is also an exciting time to join the team with a number of Histopathology transformation and automation projects planned.

If you are interested in the role and believe you hold the qualities we require, then please apply today!

Main duties of the job

• Communication and escalation to the senior Pathology management team regarding the Histology Department's performance and trends monitoring the 2 week waits turnaround times. (2WW TAT).
• Liaison with service users including the team external to pathology sensitive information including breaches to local and national benchmarks.
• Responsible for working with colleagues across Pathology MSE and maintaining the Trust's good relationships with external agencies including other Trusts.
• Use a variety of approaches in liaising with histology users and colleagues within the laboratory to gain the best outcome for the service in line with Departmental objectives.
• Produce, review and finalise high quality responses to complaints and incidents, working closely with the governance team in line with the Trust's procedures and protocols.
• Regularly promote and encourage open communication to ensure good wellbeing in the workplace.
• Provide support, motivation and clear guidance to the A&C team in line with Trust core values and expected behaviours,
• Develop and maintain the management of training and development and competency plans for the A&C team ensuring appropriate cover of tasks and rotas are in place.
• Support the essential tasks carried out by the medical secretary Histopathology team.

About us

We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers. From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook - if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us. We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress.

Job responsibilities

Are you looking for an exciting Office Manager role using your unique qualities, then we want to hear from you.

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

We look forward to your application.

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to A-level standard or evidence of higher level Administrative Studies (or equivalent)

Knowledge and experience

• Significant knowledge and experience of computer systems within NHS Healthcare setting
• Experience of leading and managing a large team, including chairing meetings and experience of working collaboratively across professions, services and organisational boundaries.
• Ability to work independently and process information quickly in order to identify risk and priorities for the Trust
• Experience of project management.
• Experience of Pathology systems, Winpath LIMS systems

Personal and People Development

• Self motivated with enthusiasm and ability to motivate others
• Excellent communication skills, ability to negotiate with senior staff & ability to manage conflict resolution successfully within teams

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.

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

£31,049 a yearPer Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)