Microbiology Quality Manager

Job summary

A designated Microbiology Quality Manager is crucial for ensuring laboratory services meet stringent safety, regulatory, and accreditation standards (UKAS ISO 15189), ensuring accurate, timely patient diagnosis. They maintain the quality management system (QMS), manage risk, investigate incidents, drive continuous quality improvement and provide governance oversight of the service.

Main duties of the job

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Details

• Date posted: 08 June 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 7
• Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 185-793-13301
• Job locations: Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5DW, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

We are delighted to be able to recruit a Microbiology Quality Manager to work within the Clinical Microbiology department of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (Eastern site). This is a substantive post for a Band 7 Quality Manager.

The Department of Microbiology provides a comprehensive Microbiology service to the RDUH Trust and local Population across Northern and Eastern Devon. The Department employs approximately 80 staff across two laboratories based at North Devon District Hospital and Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. The department provides bacteriology, mycology, serology/virology and molecular microbiology services and processes in excess of 600,000 specimens per annum. The service operates 24/7 including weekends and overnight cover is provided by an on-call service. The Microbiology department (eastern site) is situated on the edge of Dartmoor, in the city of Exeter with easy access to the M5 corridor and excellent transport links to the open countryside and Devon coastline. There is an on-site restaurant, crche facilities and a choice of coffee/tea outlets.

Due to re-configuration we are seeking an enthusiastic Microbiology Quality Manager with good interpersonal skills, a high degree of self-motivation and expert knowledge of Microbiology QMS to join the team. The postholder will have responsibility for maintaining and developing the Quality Management System (QMS), including document control, audit programmes, and staff compliance with standard operating procedures. They will lead on risk management, oversee the investigation of incidents and non-conformances, and ensure that root cause analysis informs meaningful corrective and preventive actions. In addition, the Quality Manager will drive a culture of continuous quality improvement, supporting service development aligned to Pathology redesign objectives. The role will also provide governance oversight, ensuring that regulatory requirements are consistently met and that the service remains inspection-ready.

Working Pattern: Current RDUH Laboratory opening hours are 8am to 6pm Monday-Friday (Core hours are from 09:00 to 17:30), however this is continually under review. Monday to Friday (37.5 hours per week), working on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, on a rotational basis where required.

Interview Date: To be confirmed

For further information please contact: Lisa Stephens, Deputy Service Manager, on lisa.stephens@nhs.net.

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.