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North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) are working towards merging as one organisation from July 2026.

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.

Should you join NBT as an employee prior to our organisations merging, your employment will be automatically transferred across to UHBW. Should your employment begin after our two Trusts merge, you will be employed directly by UHBW and therefore UHBW terms and conditions of service will apply

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

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Job Overview

The Bacteriology Laboratory manager/ Assistant Infection Sciences Manager will be responsible for organising and controlling the operation of the laboratory service under direction of the Infection Sciences Service Manager and in line with the clinical direction of the Head of Department. They will be responsible for ensuring and improving the performance, quality, efficiency and safety of laboratory operations through the provision of effective methods and strategies.

The post holder is expected to act independently to lead the Bacteriology Department under the broad direction of the Infection Sciences Manager and is accountable for their own actions and those of others, working in a matrix management structure, line managed by the Infection Sciences Manager but clinically accountable to the Head of Department for Bacteriology.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Main duties of the job

Core Responsibilities Will Include

To coordinate and monitor operational delivery of the Bacteriology Department managing workflows and staffing levels and coordinating with other teams and services to ensure a joined up efficient service focused on maximising quality and speed of service to requesting clinicians.
To support and deputise as necessary for the Infection Sciences Service Manager in overall management, organisation, and operational problem solving for the Infection Sciences service and its day-to-day operation.
Operationally manage effective business continuity management and resilience arrangements.
Lead the Bacteriology Department in the management and delivery of quality and quantity of employee productivity, scheduling and coordinating workforce availability, including rostering, training planning, skills development and succession planning.
To deliver as directed, the integration of services from existing arrangements including project managing service moves and introduction of new ways of operating.
Working collaboratively with current and future Severn Pathology management teams, accountability for quality of laboratory services, including ensuring accreditation and quality control and assurance standards are met in line with corporate direction from the Severn Pathology Management.
To monitor and report on service and financial performance, driving improvements to ensure targets are met and customer service is maintained and enhanced.

(Cont'd Under Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities)

Working for our organisation

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Working collaboratively with current and future Severn Pathology management teams, accountability for quality of laboratory services, including ensuring accreditation and quality control and assurance standards are met in line with corporate direction from the Severn Pathology Management.
To monitor and report on service and financial performance, driving improvements to ensure targets are met and customer service is maintained and enhanced.
Laboratory equipment management, including management of consumables and liaison with equipment suppliers over equipment maintenance, performance and fault resolution.
Working collaboratively with the Severn Pathology management teams, manage and ensure operational health and safety across all aspects of laboratory service provision.
To support the Head Of Department to develop and integrate diagnostic and analytical techniques into appropriate patient pathways to improve patient outcomes.
Support the Infection Sciences Manager in identification of business opportunities, scoping possibilities and supporting bids for new services.
To assist in the planning and implementation of service developments.

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/ Training

Essential criteria

Registration with Health Professions Council (Biomedical Scientist)
BSc Honours Degree in Biomedical Science or equivalent
Postgraduate level qualification in Microbiology equivalent to Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences or MSc
At least 6 years post graduate experience and at least 2 years management experience.

Desirable criteria

Theoretical and practical knowledge of Infection Sciences techniques and procedures and their clinical applications, and be technically competent at specimen processing and interpretation

Knowledge of NHS finance systems and experience in managing budgets.

Knowledge and experience of staff management techniques (eg recruitment, training, supervision, organisational, appraisal, grievance and disciplinary).

Skills

Essential criteria

Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information with staff of all grades across the Trust which may require tact or where there may be barriers to understanding.
Strong customer awareness and understanding and the ability to lead and manage customer relationships in a competitive environment.

Desirable criteria

Good presentational skills, as required in the presentation of technical information at meetings or symposia.
Planning skills to produce reports, business plans, strategic developments

Finance

Essential criteria

Manage delegated section budgets with assistance from the finance team
Identifying opportunities and implementing plans for efficiency savings and income generation

Please note that if you apply for a position with North Bristol NHS 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 including junk and spam folders.

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.

If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel 0117 414 1151.

North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.

At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT’s workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.

Bacteriology Laboratory Manager /Assistant IS Service Manager

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