Overview
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust — Pathology Quality Support Officer. The closing date is 31 October 2025.
Responsibilities
Are are looking for a Quality Support Officer to join our friendly department. As a Quality Support Officer you will support the Pathology Quality Manager and Pathology Service in the maintenance and continual improvement of the Quality management System (QMS) aiding the delivery of a high quality, safe pathology service that complies with accreditation standards and all necessary regulatory and governance requirements.
Demonstrating an understanding of pathology workflows, the post holder will utilise their knowledge to perform quality tasks such as document control, audits, incident and risk management and the co-ordination and monitoring of staff training. The post holder will work under own initiative to manage and prioritise workload.
The post-holder will require the ability to prioritise workload, think clearly under stress and work effectively with both clinical and non-clinical specialists. There is also a requirement to deal effectively and politely with patients and/or their carers, demonstrating by personal example the Trusts STAR qualities, and dealing with complaints in a fair, timely and sympathetic way.
The post holder is responsible for supporting and encouraging staff development and for ensuring that Trust-directed training activities for the departments staff are correctly implemented. Actively encourage staff to participate in Continuing Professional Development activities.
In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above, the post-holder may be required to perform other duties assigned by the supervisor/manager from time to time.
About us
"Our STAR values - Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect - are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives."
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will thrive on organisation, believe in doing things right and be keen to be part of a forward thinking service that values improvement, accountability and professional development. Duties include:
* To gain an understanding of how the clinical laboratories operate and proficient in tasks required to maintain an efficient workflow of patient samples within the department
* To understand the importance of the laboratory service and how it contributes to the provision of outstanding care for patients
* To engage with the departmental quality management system to ensure the laboratory standards of operation are consistent with UKAS15189 accreditation standards, MHRA, UKHSA, HTA and HSE requirements
* Work in accordance with departmental standard operating procedure documentation (SOPs)
* To support the Pathology Quality Manager and the Laboratory Management Team in ensuring Quality and Governance requirements are adhered to on a day-to-day basis such as control and maintenance of documentation ensuring regular review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs, policies and quality documents), review of non-conformances and performance of audits.
* To provide input into reports and to attend departmental meetings when required and assist with documentation of meeting outputs
* To support the Quality Manager and Laboratory Management team in the preparation of UKAS/ MHRA/ HTA surveillance visits
* To participate in audits for both technical and QMS processes across the service and assist in monitoring progress of departmental audits and closure of related findings
* To assist in the management and investigation of incidents raised across the service
* To assist in the collection and analysis of data for quality and key performance indicators
* To assist the Quality Manager in planning, co-ordination and delivery of training in quality management to promote awareness of quality procedures, policies and continuous improvement across the service
* To provide guidance to Pathology staff regarding QMS and compliance requirements
* To maintain professional competency, skills and develop knowledge of quality management as required ensuring activities are recorded accurately and evidence available when necessary
Person Specification
Education, Qualifications and Training
* Degree level qualification and / or equivalent knowledge and experience
* Evidence of ongoing continuing professional development
* Previous quality training evidenced
Experience
* Experience of modern laboratory techniques and good knowledge of current professional issues.
* Experience of using Quality management systems and procedures such as carrying out audits, error logging through non-conformance reports and reviewing SOPs/ Policies and risk assessments
* Understanding of requirements for UKAS surveillance visit preparation and follow up
* Knowledge of the ISO 15189:2022 standard
* Experience of UKAS or other regulatory surveillance visits
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.
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation trust
£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
249-7558236
Job locations
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation trust
J-18808-Ljbffr