Specimen Reception and Pathology Admin Manager

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust; Guildford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust in Guildford is seeking an energetic Specimen Reception & Pathology Administration Manager (AfC Band 6) to lead the Blood Sciences specimen reception and administration teams.

You will oversee day-to-day operations, support Haematology, Immunology & Biochemistry services, manage clinical trials administration and ensure effective use of LIMS/EPR and office software.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths (9-4 or A*-C)
• Leadership qualification or equivalent experience
• Healthcare, administration or pathology qualification

Responsibilities

• Lead Specimen Reception and Pathology Administration teams.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Specimen Reception service.
• Support Haematology, Immunology & Biochemistry services.
• Ensure effective administration of clinical trials, external referral testing and LIMS/EPR systems.
• Provide leadership and manage performance.

Skills

Leadership

Organisation

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Leadership qualification or equivalent experience

Healthcare/admin/pathology qualification

Tools

LIMS

EPR

Digital dictation

MS Office (Word/Excel)

Job description

Employer Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust - Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS) Town Guildford Salary £41,957 - £50,387 (per annum) includes high cost area supplements (HCAS) Salary period Yearly Closing 11/10/2026 23:59

Specimen Reception and Pathology Admin Manager

AfC Band 6

Job overview

We are looking for an energetic, well-organised & experienced professional to join us as a Specimen Reception & Pathology Administration Manager within our Blood Sciences Department.

This is a dynamic & varied leadership role responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Specimen Reception service while also leading a team of Medical Secretaries supporting Haematology, Immunology & Biochemistry services. The successful postholder will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of laboratory administration processes that directly support high-quality patient care.

We are seeking an experienced individual who can demonstrate a strong understanding of how diagnostic pathology laboratories operate & has a clear appreciation of the essential functions carried out by specimen reception and administrative teams.

You will possess excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and lead teams effectively in a fast-paced environment. Experience of supervising staff, managing performance, coordinating workloads and implementing service improvements will be essential.

The successful candidate will also have experience of using a range of pathology and Trust IT systems, including:

• Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
• Electronic Patient Record (EPR) systems
• Digital dictation and transcription software
• Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel

Main duties of the job

The Specimen Reception and Pathology Administration Manager is responsible for the operational management and leadership of the Blood Sciences Specimen Reception and Pathology Administration teams at the Royal Surrey, supporting colleagues across the Berkshire and Surrey Pathology services network.

Working within a busy pathology environment, you will be responsible for coordinating administrative activities, supporting specimen reception services, managing clinical trial administration, maintaining laboratory stock supplies, and providing day-to-day leadership, supervision and support to Medical Laboratory Assistants and Medical Secretaries.

Working for our organisation

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5,000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme alongside a strong commitment to developing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family ensures you feel valued from your initial interview and throughout your time with us.

We are clinically led and provide joined-up care by bridging hospital and community services, alongside delivering regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford, with community sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh, and services delivered in patients’ homes across Guildford and Waverley.

We work in partnership with Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust through a collaborative Group Model, supporting joined-up services, workforce flexibility and development opportunities.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated us as Outstanding. We are proud of our achievements and continue to invest in our people and infrastructure.

To learn more about life at Royal Surrey, please watch our short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will ensure the delivery of an efficient, accurate and responsive specimen reception and administration service that supports high-quality patient care. The role is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the specimen reception team, leading a team of Medical Secretaries supporting Haematology, Biochemistry and Immunology services, and ensuring effective administration of clinical trials, external referral testing and laboratory information systems.

The post holder will provide strong leadership and management, ensuring staffing resources are effectively deployed, quality standards are maintained, and service performance targets are achieved. They will work collaboratively with laboratory, clinical, administrative and operational teams to support continuous service improvement and the delivery of a safe, effective and patient-focused pathology service.

Person specification

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths (9 - 4 or A* - C)
• Relevant leadership/management qualification or equivalent experience in a leadership role.
• Relevant healthcare, administration or pathology qualification.

Knowledge

• Experience working within a medical admin or laboratory environment
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience in managing/supervising staff
• Knowledge of pathology workflows and laboratory operations
• Experience of workforce planning and rota management
• Experience in administrative work and knowledge of medical terminology
• Experience using LIMS, EPR and other digital systems

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Name Jamie Clack Job title Site Lead Biomedical Scientist - Blood Sciences Email address [e-mail] Additional information

If you are a motivated leader with a passion for pathology services and operational excellence, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion please contact Jamie Clack (Site Lead BMS) on 01483 571122 Ext 4473 or by email [e-mail]