Deputy Pre-Analytical Manager

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust as a Deputy Pre-Analytical Manager within Blood Sciences. This role provides operational leadership for the Specimen Reception service across both the Queen’s Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital campuses.

Specimen Reception is a critical gateway for diagnostic testing within Blood Sciences, processing a high volume of samples that support patient diagnosis and treatment across the Trust and the wider region. The Deputy Pre-Analytical Manager will play a key role in ensuring the service operates safely, efficiently and in line with quality and accreditation standards.

Working closely with the Pre-Analytical & Quality Manager and the wider Blood Sciences leadership team, the post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day operational management of Specimen Reception services. This includes overseeing staff, equipment and processes while ensuring the service provides a reliable interface between clinical services and the laboratories.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced laboratory professional with strong leadership skills who is passionate about quality, service improvement and delivering safe and efficient diagnostic services.

Main duties of the job

The Deputy Pre-Analytical Manager will lead the operational delivery of Specimen Reception services across both NUH campuses, ensuring a high-quality, patient-focused service is maintained at all times.

Key responsibilities include coordinating daily workflow, managing staff and resources, and ensuring the service responds effectively to operational pressures within a busy 24/7 diagnostic environment. The role will provide line management for the Pre-Analytical Leads and support the wider Specimen Reception workforce including Associate Practitioners and Medical Laboratory Assistants.

The post holder will also support the implementation of service improvements, modernisation initiatives and new models of service delivery within the pre-analytical pathway. This includes contributing to departmental planning, supporting automation developments and ensuring the service continues to meet the needs of patients and clinical teams.

Working closely with the Pre-Analytical & Quality Manager, the role will ensure that quality management systems, governance processes and accreditation standards are embedded within the service. The post holder will also contribute to staff training, workforce development and the continuous improvement of operational processes across both campuses.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Deputy Pre-Analytical Manager will provide operational leadership and management of the Blood Sciences Specimen Reception service across Nottingham University Hospitals.

Under the direction of the Pre-Analytical & Quality Manager, the post holder will manage the day-to-day delivery of services within Specimen Reception, ensuring effective coordination of staff, workflow and resources to maintain service continuity. The role will oversee the Specimen Reception leadership team, including Pre-Analytical Leads, and provide management support for Associate Practitioners and Medical Laboratory Assistants working within the department.

The post holder will play a key role in maintaining a safe, efficient and quality-driven service by resolving operational and technical issues, supporting service planning and contributing to departmental development. They will also support workforce management processes including recruitment, appraisal, attendance management, training and staff development.

A core aspect of the role is ensuring compliance with quality management systems and regulatory standards. The Deputy Pre-Analytical Manager will support the development and implementation of policies, procedures and standard operating procedures, as well as leading audits, incident investigations and quality improvement initiatives within the pre-analytical pathway.

The post holder will work closely with scientific, medical and operational colleagues to ensure Specimen Reception functions effectively as the interface between clinical services and the laboratories. They will also maintain technical knowledge of specimen handling and laboratory processes in order to provide specialist operational advice when required.

The role requires working flexibly across both NUH campuses and supporting a busy diagnostic service that operates continuously to meet patient and clinical needs.

Please see the attached job description and personal specification documents for further details of the role