Cellular Pathology Section Manager and Training Lead

Cellular Pathology Section Manager and Training Lead NHS AfC: Band 7 Main area Cellular Pathology, Histology and Mortuary Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Permanent: Working across the Mortuaries at University Hospital Coventry, Hospital of Rugby St Cross, and Warwick Hospital Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Across University Hospital Coventry and Warwick Hospital sites) Job ref 218-HSS-B7-

Site University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Town Coventry Salary £49,387 - £56,515 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 11/10/:59 Interview date 27/10/2026

Job overview Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Services (CWPS) offer a range of diagnostics tests across a number of departments. The Cellular Pathology service receives approximately 56,000 cases per year across 3 NHS Trusts; University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, George Eliot NHS Trust and South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust.

The Histology laboratories are based at University Hospital Coventry and Warwick Hospital. It is an exciting time to join the department as we are currently implementing new laboratory equipment. We have also recently implemented the Sectra Digital Pathology solution and brand new Hamamatsu scanners, and will be upgrading the Pathology LIMS system in 2026.

CWPS also provide the Mortuary services at University Hospital Coventry, Rugby St Cross, and Warwick Hospital. Our Mortuary network cares for over 4,000 patients per year.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, passionate Training Lead with Histology and/or Mortuary experience to join our team. You will be responsible for staff training plans; competency and training compliance for the department; mentoring and leading staff in training to complete relevant IBMS and APT portfolios and exams; working on implementing the new electronic competency platform; and promoting CPD, learning sessions and upskilling for all staff across Histology and the Mortuary.

This is a full-time role working at University Hospital Coventry, as well as Warwick Hospital on a rotational basis.

Main duties of the job

• Manage the departmental training programme for all grades of staff as directed by the Pathology Department Manager and ensure these are co-ordinated across the Network.
• Manage the completion and maintenance of records of training and competence for staff in all sections.
• Participate in and encourage continual professional development to maintain high standards of knowledge and skills for all staff.
• Organise, participate in and perform personal development reviews, supporting and working to an agreed set of objectives, both personal and departmental/CWPS.
• Attend external training/meetings as agreed with Pathology Department Managers and incorporate learning into Network service improvements.
• Organise, prepare and deliver formal training sessions to groups to ensure a high level of specialist theoretical knowledge.
• Develop specialist knowledge in a departmental section, as agreed with the Pathology Department Manager, but be able to undertake duties at a Band 7 level, in any area, on any site within relevant departments as required.

Working for our organisation University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Manage and monitor staff in the performance of routine and specialised diagnostic services on patient and environmental samples using complex and highly specialised techniques to exacting medical and scientific standards according to standard operating procedures. Perform such diagnostic tests when necessary.
• Design and plan departmental rotas, allocate and reallocate work schedules for themselves and the team and determine work priorities to meet service needs.
• Support the Department Manager in the planning, development, co-ordination and evaluation of the pathology service, and deputise for the Pathology Department Manager as required.
• Is proficient in the use of the Quality Management system, ensuring the effective development and/or management of all controlled documentation, non-conformities and audit reports within the system.
• Co-ordinates external and internal quality assurance schemes and supervises compliance with the departmental audit schedules, reviews findings, and implements service changes and improvements where necessary.
• Manages the propagation and maintenance of all laboratory aspects of the ISO standard and MHRA requirements, HTA regulations, HSE requirements and any other statutory regulations, and ensure the delivery of services in line with the principles of these standards and requirements throughout CWPS.
• Ensures quality assurance procedures are adhered to and all necessary internal records are maintained. Collates data for and leads departmental meetings and proposes and implements change as appropriate, ensuring clear lines of communication at all times.
• Manages and monitors maintenance on routine and complex equipment to ensure accuracy and precision of results. Provides specialist support for staff to troubleshoot faults and take appropriate action to maintain the patient service.
• Takes responsibility within the laboratory for achieving and maintaining all local and national performance targets. Management of KPIs (key performance indicators) including prioritising work to achieve turnaround times, managing staff attendance, and attaining and sustaining PDR and mandatory training compliance.
• Provide and receive specialist departmental knowledge, to and from staff and service users.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Person specification Qualifications

• HCPC Registration
• MSc, FIBMS or IBMS Special Examination
• Completion of IBMS Specialist Diploma or equivalent (such as CPSM logbook)
• Evidence of CPD

Experience

• Evidence of experience working in a Clinical Laboratory as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist.
• Comprehensive understanding of NHS services/systems and NHS context (e.g. modernising pathology services).
• Demonstrates ability in producing written reports/papers/documents to a high standard (in English).
• Commitment to change management to develop more innovative ways of working to improve service delivery.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, and the ability to motivate and develop staff.

Knowledge

• Demonstrates an in-depth knowledge in required discipline.

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (in English).
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to train other staff.
• Ability to communicate technical information and results to other health professionals and be able to use telephone and email.
• Advanced IT and keyboard skills.
• Supervisory skills.
• Good planning and organisational skills.
• Problem solving skills, including lateral thinking and ability to find creative solutions.
• Negotiating and Influencing skills.
• Consistently achieves against targets.
• Ability to cope with a wide range of complex issues, prioritising effectively when dealing with competing demands.

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's values. (As detailed in UHCW's Values in Action document below)
• Applicants applying for job roles with managerial responsibility will be required to demonstrate evidence of promoting equal opportunities through work experience

To ensure that we provide world-class patient care, UHCW recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust's Values and Behaviours in their everyday life. Therefore, if you are invited to interview, you will be undertaking a Values Based Interview/Assessment, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
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