Verified Skilled Worker sponsor

Quality Manager Laboratory Medicine (Fixed term 12 months)

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

Bristol, BS2 8HW £57,528 – £64,750 a year Fixed-Term Posted 11 September 2026 Apply by 25 September 2026

Home Office register entry: Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol

Visa sponsorship

This role is listed by an employer that holds a live Home Office sponsor licence on the Skilled Worker route.

Closest occupation match: SOC 2481, Quality control and planning engineers. Home Office going rate for this occupation: £41,300 a year.

NHS roles fall under the Health and Care Worker route. Public reference figures for that route: the general salary minimum is £25,000 a year, and salaries set by national pay scales (NHS bands) at or above the relevant band rate typically meet the occupation's requirement. Individual eligibility depends on personal circumstances. These figures are public reference information, not advice or a verdict on this job.

Role description

Job summary

The Quality Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership for quality management across Laboratory Medicine services, ensuring the effective implementation, maintenance and continual improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS). The post holder will lead quality, governance, audit, risk management and accreditation activities across Haematology, Blood Transfusion, Clinical Biochemistry, Essential Services, Specimen Reception and Mortuary services.

Working closely with clinical, scientific and operational leaders, the post holder will ensure compliance with ISO 15189:2022, HTA, MHRA and other relevant regulatory standards, supporting the delivery of safe, effective and patient-focused services. The role will lead quality improvement programmes, coordinate internal and external audits and inspections, manage quality investigations, and oversee corrective and preventive action plans to maintain accreditation and continuously improve service performance.

The successful candidate will provide expert advice on quality and compliance matters, lead and develop the Quality Team, and promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and patient safety across Laboratory Medicine. They will analyse quality and performance data, manage quality risks, develop policies and governance frameworks, and contribute to the strategic development and transformation of pathology services across the organisation.

Main duties of the job

Lead and maintain the Quality Management System across Laboratory Medicine services.
Ensure compliance with ISO 15189, HTA, MHRA and other relevant regulatory standards.Lead accreditation, audit, inspection and quality assurance activities.
Investigate quality incidents, risks and non-conformities, ensuring effective corrective actions are implemented.Drive continuous quality improvement and patient safety initiatives across the service.
Develop, review and implement quality policies, procedures and governance processes.Analyse quality and performance data to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
Provide expert advice and support to clinical, scientific and operational teams on quality and compliance matters.
Manage and develop the Quality Team, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
Act as the key liaison with regulatory and accreditation bodies and contribute to the strategic development of Laboratory Medicine services.

About us

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations,operatingfrom three main sites at Southmead, Bristol citycentreand Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that theSouth Westhas to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit andretaina workforce whichrepresentsthe rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your applicationin order toensurewe'remeeting our pledge.

Date posted

11 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,528 to £64,750 a year pa

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

387-DT8078-CCC

Job locations

Bristol Royal Infirmary and Weston General Hospital

Bristol

BS2 8HW

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

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, Experience, Skills and Abilities

Essential

oExcellent knowledge, understanding and experience with quality standards, ISO:15189, HTA, GPG (E)
oKnowledge of a range of pathology analytical systems, techniques and QA across multiple departments including Biochemistry, Haematology, Mortuary and Microbiology. (E)
oAble to demonstrate commitment to service improvements and develop long-term quality management plans in line with the department's aims and objectives. (E)
oAbility to prioritise workload, delegate appropriately and formulate and implement long-term quality improvement plans for the department
oUnderstanding of the critical importance of confidentiality (E)
oExperience of document management systems (e.g. IQM/Q-pulse). (E)
oExperience of managing a small team, involving evidence of personal ability to meet deadlines, support staff development and progression and achieve positive outcomes for users (E)
oEvidence of successful working with teams, including clinical and non-clinical staff and supporting staff individual objectives (E)
oExperience of service development and implementing and influencing change (E)
oExcellent individual work ethic and strong project management skills. (E)
oAbility to provide day-to-day supervisory guidance to a group of staff and have some line management responsibilities (E)

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.