• Job Description

  Req#: C9279-25-0772?language=en&page=1009&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  The post holder, in conjunction with the Pathology Head of Operations, will provide operational leadership and management to the Microbiology & Infection speciality and its associated workforce and services across all Microbiology sites.The Microbiology and Infection service is based on three sites at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath and St Richards Hospital, Chichester. The Brighton laboratory is the UKHSA commissioned regional public health microbiology laboratory for the South East and links are established with BSMS Medical School. The laboratory holds UKAS accreditation for both the clinical and environmental services. A full range of clinical services including bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, virology and an extensive range of molecular tests are provided from the Brighton laboratory; water and environmental microbiology at the Haywards Heath laboratory and a full range of clinical services including virus serology and some molecular tests at the Chichester laboratory. UHSussex is also part of Pathology Network South 7, along with East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust (ESHT). They will be involved in the drive to harmonise and centralise Pathology services across the network.

  Main duties of the job

  The post holder will Act as Deputy to the Head of Microbiology & Infection and be responsible for operational activity within the specialty, which will include the business continuity processes and planning, and day-day management of staff, providing strong leadership, management and communicating the strategic direction to the Pathology operational teams over all sites. With the Head of Microbiology & Infection, have responsibility for the successful implementation and ongoing delivery of a high-quality, cost-effective and safe service within UHSussex Pathology.

  Manage operational changes, ensuring a safe transition from individual Trust pathology services to the new integrated service and developing and fostering a new culture in line with the overarching objectives of the Sussex Pathology Network and its business case for change.

  About us

  At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

  We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

  As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

  We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

  Candidate Information Pack

  https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

  Details

  Date posted

  24 April 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 8b

  Salary

  £62,215 to £72,293 a year per annum

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time

  Reference number

  279-6696996-APR25

  Job locations

  UH Sussex- Cross Site - Worthing Hospital

  Lyndhurst Road

  Worthing

  BN11 2DH

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Please see the detailed job description and person specification that has been included as part of this vacancy advert

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Please see the detailed job description and person specification that has been included as part of this vacancy advert

  Person Specification

  Experience/Qualification

  Essential

  • Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience working at a senior level in Pathology. Recognised professional post graduate qualification in leadership and management or equivalent experience or training plus further specialist knowledge or experience to master's level or equivalent. Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development. Evidence of leading and managing change in a complex environment. Robust negotiating and performance management skills. Evidence of meeting challenging operational and service objectives. Has worked at a senior level in an acute NHS hospital. Ability to translate complex systems, user requirements and corporate priorities into robust implementation plans. Significant experience in working with confidential information and adherence with Caldicott (patient confidentiality), GDPR 2018.

  Desirable

  • Understanding of the complex strategic environment and of the commissioning agenda.

  Skills

  Essential

  • To be a part of, supervise and direct a team. Excellent written, verbal and presentation communication skills. Can present complex and sensitive information to large groups of staff at ll levels (Trust level to Junior staff) including training and conference presentations. Excellent numeric and analytical skills to enable critique of report, both financial and information based. Highly developed problem solving skills. Ability to capture, analyse, manipulate and interpret complex data from a range of sources. Able to make sound judgements and decisions involving highly complex facts. Good budgetary management experience. High level of business, commercial and financial acumen. Excellent organisational and prioritising skills. Capability to plan over short, medium and long term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly. Able to contribute to commercial strategy. Professional credibility and gravitas and ambassadorial skills to represent the Trust and Microbiology both internally and externally. Able to respond to conflicting demands, work to tight and often challenging timescales and deadlines. Change management experience Advanced IT skills for data entry and Trust IT Systems, spreadsheets, DATIX.

  People Management & Development

  Essential

  • Highly developed leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse, motivate and engage individuals and teams. Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals. Able to manage own work programme and set prioritised deadlines for others. Experience of managing a team of professionals, including recruitment, appraisal and development. Experience of developing the operational capability and effectiveness of others. Excellent organiser, influencer and networker. Dealing with conflict.

  Specific Requirememts

  Essential

  • Lead the strategic direction for the service, identifying and developing service improvement and commercial opportunities that match the overall strategic objectives of the Trust, Network and the department and which contribute to the delivery of improved patient care pathways and outcomes. Ensure the delivery of a highly specialist and safe clinical technical service to service users and their patients.

  Freedom to Act

  Essential

  • Strategic thinking and ability to mitigate issues and act autonomously when required, on difficult issues. Able to work autonomously, liaise with and coordinate the speciality services on a day to day basis and to take appropriate action as necessary. Identify and adhere to best practice. Responsible for own professional actions and have sufficient autonomy for the delivery of the role. Able to interpret national and local guidance and develop local policies to reflect these standards.

  Professional Registration

  Essential

  • Member of Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC), relative to Pathology registration

  Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

  Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

  Person Specification

  Experience/Qualification

  Essential

  • Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience working at a senior level in Pathology. Recognised professional post graduate qualification in leadership and management or equivalent experience or training plus further specialist knowledge or experience to master's level or equivalent. Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development. Evidence of leading and managing change in a complex environment. Robust negotiating and performance management skills. Evidence of meeting challenging operational and service objectives. Has worked at a senior level in an acute NHS hospital. Ability to translate complex systems, user requirements and corporate priorities into robust implementation plans. Significant experience in working with confidential information and adherence with Caldicott (patient confidentiality), GDPR 2018.

  Desirable

  • Understanding of the complex strategic environment and of the commissioning agenda.

  Skills

  Essential

  • To be a part of, supervise and direct a team. Excellent written, verbal and presentation communication skills. Can present complex and sensitive information to large groups of staff at ll levels (Trust level to Junior staff) including training and conference presentations. Excellent numeric and analytical skills to enable critique of report, both financial and information based. Highly developed problem solving skills. Ability to capture, analyse, manipulate and interpret complex data from a range of sources. Able to make sound judgements and decisions involving highly complex facts. Good budgetary management experience. High level of business, commercial and financial acumen. Excellent organisational and prioritising skills. Capability to plan over short, medium and long term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly. Able to contribute to commercial strategy. Professional credibility and gravitas and ambassadorial skills to represent the Trust and Microbiology both internally and externally. Able to respond to conflicting demands, work to tight and often challenging timescales and deadlines. Change management experience Advanced IT skills for data entry and Trust IT Systems, spreadsheets, DATIX.

  People Management & Development

  Essential

  • Highly developed leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse, motivate and engage individuals and teams. Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals. Able to manage own work programme and set prioritised deadlines for others. Experience of managing a team of professionals, including recruitment, appraisal and development. Experience of developing the operational capability and effectiveness of others. Excellent organiser, influencer and networker. Dealing with conflict.

  Specific Requirememts

  Essential

  • Lead the strategic direction for the service, identifying and developing service improvement and commercial opportunities that match the overall strategic objectives of the Trust, Network and the department and which contribute to the delivery of improved patient care pathways and outcomes. Ensure the delivery of a highly specialist and safe clinical technical service to service users and their patients.

  Freedom to Act

  Essential

  • Strategic thinking and ability to mitigate issues and act autonomously when required, on difficult issues. Able to work autonomously, liaise with and coordinate the speciality services on a day to day basis and to take appropriate action as necessary. Identify and adhere to best practice. Responsible for own professional actions and have sufficient autonomy for the delivery of the role. Able to interpret national and local guidance and develop local policies to reflect these standards.

  Professional Registration

  Essential

  • Member of Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC), relative to Pathology registration

  Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

  Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

  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 (Opens in a new tab).

  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 (Opens in a new tab).

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Additional information

  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 (Opens in a new tab).

  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 (Opens in a new tab).

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Employer details

  Employer name

  University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

  Address

  UH Sussex- Cross Site - Worthing Hospital

  Lyndhurst Road

  Worthing

  BN11 2DH

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

  Address

  UH Sussex- Cross Site - Worthing Hospital

  Lyndhurst Road

  Worthing

  BN11 2DH

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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