Quality Manager
The closing date is 12 March 2026
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a suitably qualified individual to become the new Quality Manager in Microbiology and Virology Services at Newcastle Upon Tyne's NHS Trust.
The Quality Manager will be responsible for the design and maintenance of the Quality Management System to UKAS ISO 15189 standards. It will include the interpretation of accreditation and legislation rules, standards and requirements on behalf of the department and ensure that the quality management system reflects these. The Quality Manager polices the running and effectiveness of the quality management system and instigates all necessary remedial actions to ensure it runs smoothly.
The Department is UKAS accredited, progressive and well equipped and is accredited for training, with participation in CPD being actively encouraged.
* 37 hours 30 minutes/week
* You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
The post holder will attend departmental, directorate and regional management meetings as the quality representative. They will also lead in the management of UKAS accreditation and will be responsible for ensuring clinical governance and risk management of processes are monitored and actions implemented where necessary. They will have responsibility for a dedicated quality team and will be able to demonstrate leadership qualities. The role requires the individual to work closely with departmental colleagues, consultant microbiologists/virologists and other service users.
They will support other members of the team with producing policies, standard operating procedures and carrying out quality assurance on all procedures performed in the laboratory. There will also be a requirement to provide input in departmental training strategy and H & S.
About us
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:
* Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
* Freeman Hospital
* Newcastle Dental Hospital
* Newcastle Fertility Centre
* Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
* Northern Genetics Service
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting‑edge care (supported by state‑of‑the‑art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
Job responsibilities
Responsible for designing a quality management document control system and leading the Quality Management process and ensuring that it functions effectively. This will include the production and maintenance of the department Quality Manual and Quality Policies. The post holder will be responsible for managing the Quality system. The Quality Manager will require the necessary skills and ability to promote quality within all areas of the Department. Lead in management of UKAS accreditation for the department and other relevant accreditation standards. Verify any corrective action highlighted by reports following external inspections of the department Ensure that all quality control procedures are followed, and high analytical standards are maintained. The lead in the production of an annual Quality Report, contributing to and providing information for Quarterly and Annual Management Review. Introduce and supervise a programme of internal vertical, examination and horizontal audits against defined performance quality measures and to ensure that rapid remedial actions are taken in the event of non‑compliance. Assists other members of the Laboratory Management Team in producing and implementing policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), Health and Safety and training requirements within the department. Some of these policies will impact on other departments/directorates within the Trust and in other Trusts. The Quality Manager is vital to the clinical governance of and risk management the services within the department. Ensure that all external QA samples are handled in a timely manner on receipt within the department, and in accordance with the departmental SOP, while working within Laboratories.
Qualifications & Education
* Degree in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent.
* Professional knowledge acquired through a vocational MSc or equivalent
* Current Health and Care Professions Council registration.
* IBMS Certificate of Extended Practice in Quality Management or equivalent
Knowledge & Experience
* Experience in the management of quality in a laboratory environment (audit, EQA & IQC).
* Sound working knowledge of the requirement for UKAS accreditation
* Knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS).
* Participate in Continuous Professional Development
* Participative approach to change management and problem solving
* Advocate of the Newcastle Leadership Way
* Knowledge of and experience in one or more biomedical science disciplines (Blood Sciences, Cellular Pathology, Genetic, Microbiology, Virology).
* Operates as a UKAS Assessor
* Significant proficiency in use of MS office Suite, Ideagen Q-Pulse and other IT systems
* Familiarity with current educational and training requirements for staff.
* Experience of appraisal system.
* Familiarity with guidelines for the retention and storage of human tissue archives.
Skills & Abilities
* Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills
* Strong analytical, organisational and planning skills
* Excellent communication skills; written and verbal
* Ability to work autonomously, with creativity, drive and flexibility
* Ability to work under pressure, managing multiple projects to tight deadlines
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.
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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