Quality Manager Laboratory Medicine (Fixed term 12 months)

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Quality Manager in Laboratory Medicine (Fixed term 12 months) to provide strategic and operational leadership for the Quality Management System across Haematology, Biochemistry, Transfusion and related services.

You will ensure compliance with ISO 15189:2022, HTA and MHRA, drive audit programmes and quality improvement, and lead a team dedicated to patient safety and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Excellent knowledge of ISO 15189, HTA and GPG (E).
• Experience across Biochemistry, Haematology, Mortuary and Microbiology QA.
• Ability to develop long‑term quality improvement plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Quality Management System across Laboratory Medicine.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 15189, HTA, MHRA and lead audits.
• Investigate quality incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Develop quality policies and governance processes.
• Provide expert quality advice to teams.
• Manage and develop the Quality Team.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies and support strategic development.

Skills

ISO 15189

Quality governance

Audit & inspection

Improvement planning

Confidentiality

Team management

Project management

IQM/Q-pulse

Tools

IQM/Q-pulse

Job description

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Bristol Royal Infirmary and Weston General Hospital Town Bristol Salary £57,528 - £64,750 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 25/09/2026 23:59

Quality Manager Laboratory Medicine (Fixed term 12 months)

Band 8a

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

The Quality Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership for quality management across Laboratory Medicine services, ensuring the effective implementation, maintenance and continual improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS). The post holder will lead quality, governance, audit, risk management and accreditation activities across Haematology, Blood Transfusion, Clinical Biochemistry, Essential Services, Specimen Reception and Mortuary services.

Working closely with clinical, scientific and operational leaders, the post holder will ensure compliance with ISO 15189:2022, HTA, MHRA and other relevant regulatory standards, supporting the delivery of safe, effective and patient-focused services. The role will lead quality improvement programmes, coordinate internal and external audits and inspections, manage quality investigations, and oversee corrective and preventive action plans to maintain accreditation and continuously improve service performance.

The successful candidate will provide expert advice on quality and compliance matters, lead and develop the Quality Team, and promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and patient safety across Laboratory Medicine. They will analyse quality and performance data, manage quality risks, develop policies and governance frameworks, and contribute to the strategic development and transformation of pathology services across the organisation.

Main duties of the job

• Lead and maintain the Quality Management System across Laboratory Medicine services.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 15189, HTA, MHRA and other relevant regulatory standards. Lead accreditation, audit, inspection and quality assurance activities.
• Investigate quality incidents, risks and non-conformities, ensuring effective corrective actions are implemented. Drive continuous quality improvement and patient safety initiatives across the service.
• Develop, review and implement quality policies, procedures and governance processes. Analyse quality and performance data to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide expert advice and support to clinical, scientific and operational teams on quality and compliance matters.
• Manage and develop the Quality Team, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
• Act as the key liaison with regulatory and accreditation bodies and contribute to the strategic development of Laboratory Medicine services.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent knowledge, understanding and experience with quality standards, ISO:15189, HTA, GPG (E)
• Knowledge of a range of pathology analytical systems, techniques and QA across multiple departments including Biochemistry, Haematology, Mortuary and Microbiology. (E)
• Able to demonstrate commitment to service improvements and develop long-term quality management plans in line with the department’s aims and objectives. (E)
• Ability to prioritise workload, delegate appropriately and formulate and implement long-term quality improvement plans for the department
• Understanding of the critical importance of confidentiality (E)
• Experience of document management systems (e.g. IQM/Q-pulse). (E)
• Experience of managing a small team, involving evidence of personal ability to meet deadlines, support staff development and progression and achieve positive outcomes for users (E)
• Evidence of successful working with teams, including clinical and non-clinical staff and supporting staff individual objectives (E)
• Experience of service development and implementing and influencing change (E)
• Excellent individual work ethic and strong project management skills. (E)
• Ability to provide day-to-day supervisory guidance to a group of staff and have some line management responsibilities (E)

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

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