BHSCT Histopathology & Mortuary Discipline Manager Band 8A

Job details

• Branch: Belfast HSCT
• Location: INSTITUTE OF PATHOLOGY
• Salary: Band 8a (£55,690 - £62,682 )
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 25/06/26
• Closes: Thu, 25 June 2026 @ 4:30 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

We accept online applications only Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Histopathology & Mortuary Discipline Manager

BAND

8a

DIRECTORATE

Cancer & Specialist Services

LOCATION

Cellular Pathology Laboratories, Institute of Pathology

REPORTS TO

Cellular Pathology Service Manager

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Co-Director Laboratories & Pharmacy

Job Summary

Based in the Cellular Pathology Service, the post-holder will work within the delegated authority of the Cellular Pathology Service Manager and within the Performance Management framework of the Belfast HSCT for the provision of safe, cost effective, efficient services. They will contribute to strategic and operational planning of the service and ensure effective multidisciplinary working. They will provide clear operational leadership and oversee the management of all staff within their span of control, including Histopathology, Mortuary and other relevant Cellular Pathology staff.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Relationships

Liaise directly with the Service Manager with respect to the various responsibilities outlined elsewhere in this job description.

Liaise with Consultants/Clinical Scientists; Service Managers; Discipline Specific Managers and Professional Leads; Operational Leads; Mortuary Manager and Administration Services Manager (or subordinate) to ensure the effective provision of the Service.

Liaise with Officers of the Belfast HSCT and external users as appropriate.

Liaise with relevant external stakeholders

Service Delivery

Ensure the review and update of all information required regulatory bodies, including HTA & MHRA(CE-IVDR), and accreditation bodies (including UKAS), when appropriate and in accordance with departmental policy.

Responsible for the deployment of staff to ensure that appropriate staffing levels are maintained throughout all areas of responsibility, including Mortuary.

Be responsible for the staffing of any out-of-hours service, participate in same as required and be responsible for the collation and forwarding of expenses claims to the Service Manager.

To assist the Service Manager in the provision of a cost-effective service using appropriate workload measurements and financial management systems under the Belfast HSCT performance management framework.

As directed by the Service Manager ensures the safe, effective and efficient use of resources to achieve all relevant targets.

Assist the Service Manager to ensure the safe, efficient, effective and responsive delivery of services across all healthcare sectors within the Belfast Trust and to other service users.

As directed by the Service Manager ensure robust performance management arrangements implemented and monitored.

Responds to complaints, queries and incidents in line with Trust Guidelines.

As directed by Service Manager lead on the service modernisation and associated processes.

Information Management Development and Innovation

Assist the Service Manager (or other assigned modernisation leads) to develop modernisation initiatives to secure efficient, effective, flexible, safe and productive services.

Assist in the development and implementation of career pathways, to improve the recruitment and retention of staff for all transfusion and stem cell Services.

As directed by the Service Manager, develop new roles as a whole to support patient and user centred care and the modernisation of laboratory processes.

Quality

Ensure that the needs of patients, clients and their carers are at the core of the way the services are delivered.

Ensure that effective quality management policies and systems are in place within the service to comply with current regulatory and accreditation schemes and legislative requirements e.g. MHRA, HTA and UKAS/ISO 15189.

Ensure that effective risk management and quality assurance policies and systems (including clinical governance and controls assurance) are in place within the service in compliance with the Trusts policies and procedures and regulatory requirements.

As directed by the Service Manager contribute to the maintenance of and actions arising out of the Risk Register for the service in line with Trust policy and procedure.

Assist the Service Manager to investigate and respond to complaints, incidents and claims within the service in line with Trust policy and procedures and regulatory requirements.

Assist the Service Manager to innovate and change services to underpin the modernisation of service delivery to patients and users.

Lead quality related initiatives within the service.

Strategic Planning and Development

As directed by the Service Manager, ensure the development of a strategic plan for the delivery of services in line with regional strategies, Ministerial, DoH and SPPG priorities.

Work closely with relevant stakeholders to secure their commitment and involvement in the implementation of strategic planning initiatives and targets.

Financial and Resource Management

Proactively identify cost pressures and monitor delegated budgets, to ensure effective and efficient use of resources, assisting with variance analysis and completion of financial action plans as required, achieving financial targets.

Participate in contract and service level negotiations.

As directed by the Service Manager participate in the development of capital investment strategies with the service group, ensuring these reflect and contribute to meeting targets set by the HSCNI and the Trust’s Corporate Plan.

As directed by the Service Manager maintain, monitor and update the Asset Register.

Monitor all maintenance contracts in line with tender specification.

Ensure all goods and services are ordered within Trust Standing Financial Instructions.

As directed by the Service Manager participate in all relevant tender processes.

People Management and Development

Promote the HSC values and culture of the Trust through the implementation of relevant policies and procedures, and appropriate personal behaviour.

Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to the level of staff within their control consistent with effective decision making whilst retaining responsibility and accountability for results.

Contribute as an effective member of the relevant teams.

Participate in the Trust’s Performance Review Scheme. To review the performance of direct reports on a regular basis, and to provide direction on personal development requirements and appropriate action.

Maintain good staff relationships and morale amongst the staff reporting to him/her, through effective feedback, support, recognition, appraisal and development.

Participate as required in the selection and appointment of staff reporting to him/her in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.

Promote the Trust’s policies on ‘equality of opportunity’, and the promotion of ‘good relations’ through their own actions and ensure that these policies are adhered to by staff for which they has responsibility.

Work with the relevant HR personnel to ensure the delivery of the Trust’s HR & Learning & Development Strategies, including working towards IIP.

Ensure that the service complies with employment law and is consistent in their application of the Trust’s policies.

Ensure that all staff are appraised at least annually, personal development plans are developed, and the Knowledge and Skills framework is in place.

Manage recruitment processes, to ensure staff are recruited in a timely and professional manner and vacancies are filled appropriately.

Provide clear leadership to all within the service and as directed by the Service Manager, ensure the Trust has a highly skilled, flexible and motivated workforce to provide high quality care.

As directed by the Service Manager, assist the development and implementation of workforce modernisation initiatives within the Laboratory service.

Ensure that management structures and practices within the service support a culture of effective multidisciplinary team working, continuous improvement and innovation.

Corporate Management

Contribute to the Trust’s corporate planning, policy and decision-making processes as required and ensure the Trust’s objectives and decisions are effectively communicated.

Develop and maintain working relationships with colleagues to ensure achievement of Trust objectives and the effective functioning of the senior management team and Trust Board.

Establish collaborative relationships and networks with external stakeholders in the public, private and voluntary sectors to ensure the Trust effectively discharges its functions.

Contribute to the Trust’s overall corporate governance processes to ensure its compliance with public sector values and codes of conduct, operations and accountability.

Lead by example in practising the highest standards of conduct in accordance with the Code of Conduct for HSCNI Managers.

Communication and Information Management

To agree with the Service Manager a number of key performance indicators and provide regular information on progress.

To maintain and develop sound internal communications systems, which include team briefing and regular meetings with staff.

To represent the service and the Trust as required communicating effectively with colleagues both internal and external to the Trust.

To ensure user involvement is actively promoted within the service.

Collaborative Working

To work in partnership with staff side colleagues as appropriate across a range of work responsibilities.

To establish and maintain productive working relationships with professional heads within the service.

In addition to the duties of your post there are additional duties that all employees of the Belfast Trust are expected to carry out. A summary of these can be found here.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE

Histopathology & Mortuary Discipline Manager

BAND

Band 8A

DIRECTORATE

Cancer & Specialist Services

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Ideally no more than 6-8 criteria in this section

Method of Assessment

Experience

Minimum of three years’ appropriate laboratory management experience at a senior level (Band 7 or above).

Have worked with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internal and external to the organisation, to achieve successful outcomes for a minimum of 2 years.

Track record of effective leadership skills.

Excellent communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively orally and in written format.

Experience of external audit such as UKAS, HTA, MHRA.

Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the HTA requirements of the post

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

Current registration as a Biomedical Scientist / Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Must hold an MSc Biomedical Science; or equivalent higher qualification; or an IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma; or be a Fellow of the institute of Biomedical Science or equivalent.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Demonstrable experience of managing and developing staff

Demonstrable experience of complex HR issues

Demonstrate evidence of leading and managing change.

Interview

Knowledge

Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the HTA requirements of the post

Interview

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Have experience managing a HTA licenced service

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications

Hold a Management or Leadership qualification

Hold a quality improvement qualification

Shortlisting by Application Form

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times