Job summary
Leadership.

Taking people with you, taking them from where they're at professionally to where they could be, should they fill their potential. It's about finding that potential and setting up an environment which facilitates this growth on a technical and behavioural level.

It's about navigating the need to do now, and balancing that with investment into the future, removing barriers for advancement, ensuring you're all working towards the same goals, and making sure everyone knows it.

Could you be such a leader? Are you inspired to stretch beyond the technical and apply your management, diplomacy and strategic skills to develop and strengthen an existing team of Biomedical Scientists and support staff?

If you're an existing Senior Biomedical Scientist looking for your next step towards operational management and, if this is not interesting enough, you'll also be able to take advantage of a £10'000 welcoming bonus to facilitate your move to us (subject to terms).

In the heart of the Somerset countryside, within easy reach of beautiful coastlines, rolling hills and bustling cities, SPS laboratories have a rich and extensive test repertoire offering the diversity and interest of a town location in the heart of the countryside. This is where you can meet your new team.

Apply at the bottom to learn more.

Main duties of the job
Our team at SPS have been fundamental to the principle of making a positive difference to healthcare in Somerset for over a decade. We hold ISO15189 UKAS accreditation and are an HCPC approved training Laboratory for both IBMS Registration and Specialist Portfolios.

You will be based within the Infectious Sciences laboratory (including Bacteriology, Parasitology, Virology, Molecular and Mycology), there will be a requirement to rotate within all areas.

If you're an individual who is keen to expand your experience in teaching, mentoring, and operational management, especially if these opportunities are limited within your current role, this may give you that avenue you're looking for.

You must have strong quality management experience and a proven ability to drive continuous improvement within laboratory quality systems and processes. You will identify opportunities for service improvement, strengthen quality management practices, and support the department in maintaining high standards of compliance and patient care.

Excellent organisational and IT skills are essential, along with the resilience to work effectively within a busy and evolving service.

The role involves lone working during evening and weekend shifts, therefore the successful candidate must be confident working independently and making decisions autonomously when required.

About us
Formed in 2012, Southwest Pathology Services (SPS) is a joint venture between SYNLAB UK & Ireland and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. The partnership serves a population of around 500,000 and delivers services to the Trust and more than 100 GP practices, delivering on over 9 million tests annually. The department is an IBMS accredited training laboratory and has full UKAS accreditation. The laboratory has the newest generation of Kiestra automated systems in the UK.

SPS maintains a comprehensive training budget designed to support the career development of all staff members. This investment ensures that employees have access to the necessary resources and opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge and advance their professional growth.

The department have regular continual professional development seminars and as part of HCPC registration be expected to maintain an up to date CPD portfolio. There is a healthy training budget to allow local/distant attendance at Congress/seminars/symposiums.

Originally, there was a single site at each hospital with both undertaking similar urgent and non-urgent tests. There is a well developed central 'hub' laboratory in Taunton with an 'essential services laboratory' at Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital to provide urgent testing.

Details
Date posted: 27 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: Depending on experience
£49,387 to £56,515 per annum dependant on experience
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: J206-RAF-192-A
Job locations: Southwest Pathology Services, Lisieux Way, Taunton, TA1 2LB, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Assist and carry out duties as directed in the following areas:

• Train scientific and support staff and access/manage competencies
• Organise and conduct appraisals
• Develop policies and plan for change implementation
• To provide management cover for other Team Managers and Deputy Manager
• To chair committees as allocated in areas (but not limited to) Health & Safety, Training or Audit
• To participate in Senior Management on-call roster as required.
• Participate in and assist with clinical trials, the development of new tests and research & validation of equipment ensuring at all times compliance with all policies as required by regulatory directives, accreditation bodies and local management policies and practices.
• To provide technical advice to clinical staff.
• To perform and interpret routine and specialist Biomedical investigations and to participate daily in the scientific and technical activities of the laboratory sections
• Together with Senior staff help ensure compliance with all policies as required by regulatory directives, accreditation bodies and local management, including;
• UKAS
• Southwest Pathology Service policies and SOPs
• MHRA
• NHSCSP
• HTA
• HFEA
• Any other body in area of responsibility
• Utilise the laboratory LIMS, Q-Pulse quality monitoring system and other application software according to authorised protocols including assisting in computer data entry in all areas of the laboratory, document review, non-conformance review and quality assurance processes.
• Communicate efficiently, courteously and with clarity at all times, whether face to face, telephone or electronic methods referring enquiries to senior staff where appropriate. Matters being communicated may include complex information and/or results.
• Attend and participate positively in laboratory and other meetings as directed by Laboratory senior staff.
• Communicate efficiently, courteously and with clarity at all times, whether face to face, telephone or electronic methods referring enquiries to senior staff where appropriate. Matters being communicated may include complex information and/or results.
• Attend and participate positively in laboratory and other meetings as directed by Laboratory senior staff.
• As directed by senior laboratory staff, plan and prioritise work allocations, training plans, audits of both yourself and junior staff, responding appropriately to the needs of routine and urgent activities.
• Encourage active participation in continuous professional development and support the introduction of new technologies and / or systems by being a change advocate.
• Report all incidents and adverse events to senior staff.
• Demonstrate on going competency against training plans and participate positively in CPD (continuous professional development) activities.
• Produce and manage Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Manage the introduction of new technologies/processes and to maximise the benefits accrued
• To be responsible for External and Internal Quality Assurance in area of responsibility. Reporting on, and completing corrective actions required to address any areas of poor performance, including, where required, staff performance management.
• Ensure all documentation required for Quality Management System is recorded and maintained
• Communicate efficiently, courteously and with clarity at all times, whether face to face, telephone or electronic methods referring enquiries to senior staff where appropriate. Matters being communicated may include highly complex information and/or results.
• Plan and organise audits and audit calendar
• Chair/lead and/or participate in Technical, Training Quality , Audit and Management meetings as required
• Utilise the laboratory LIMS, Q-Pulse quality monitoring system and other application software according to authorised protocols including assisting in computer data entry in all areas of the laboratory. Maintaining software systems and updating as required.
• Attendance at LIMS user groups as required.
• Plan and prioritise work allocations, training plans, for both yourself and junior staff, responding appropriately to the needs of routine and urgent activities.
• Provide management, training and professional leadership to staff in your area of responsibility, this includes monitoring their performance against laboratory standards and their training plans.
• Report and investigate all incidents and adverse events entering the information in the CAPA module of Q-pulse in a timely manner, conducting Root Cause analysis and remedial action as required
• Be proficient in use of ERP system (Axional)
• Management of consumables and conduct stocktakes in line with iPP policies
• To assist in Clinical trials in areas of responsibility as directed.
• Initiate changes in procedures or policies to induce service development
• Report all incidents and adverse events to senior staff and enter the information in the CAPA module of Q-pulse in a timely manner.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• MSc Degree, accredited by the Healthcare Professions Council and IBMS.
• HCPC Registration
• Completed IBMS specialist portfolio in Microbiology/Virology or equivalent (if registration post 2004)
• Management qualification to ILM level 3 or relevant experience

Desirable

• IBMS membership

Experience
Essential

• Significant demonstrable broad based experience as a specialist BMS
• High degree of accuracy, numeracy, interpretive skills and good problem-solving skills.
• Good knowledge and experience of computer Laboratory Information Systems and applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Statistical Packages.
• An advanced understanding of theoretical and practical Biomedical Sciences and technically adept at majority of routine and advanced laboratory procedures.

Desirable

• Development of special interest and expertise in one or more areas of the laboratory, for example Quality, Health & Safety, Training or IT

Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• Able to work independently, implements and proposes changes to procedures for own work area.
• Demonstrates a sound understanding of the physiology, pathology, and scientific principles relevant to specialism
• Demonstrates a high degree of skill and knowledge where interpretation of results can be highly subjective

Desirable

• Leadership qualities with experience of coaching, coordinating and supervising a team

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).