Deputy Laboratory Manager
Northampton
£54,500 - £56,000
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Deputy Laboratory Manager to support the day‐to‐day leadership, management and development of our embryology laboratory service at Care Fertility Northampton.
Working closely with, and deputising for, the Laboratory Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring the laboratory consistently meets regulatory, quality and governance standards while delivering exceptional patient‐centred care. This is a senior clinical and leadership role within a highly regulated fertility environment, ideal for an embryologist ready to take the next step in their career.
As part of the Care Fertility family, you will embody our values of Compassion, Collaboration and Expertise, supporting both clinical excellence and team development.
Key responsibilities:
Clinical practice
* Undertake all routine embryology laboratory duties in line with SOPs, COSHH requirements and the HFEA Code of Practice
* Maintain high standards of patient care, traceability, data integrity and laboratory safety
* Oversee equipment maintenance, stock control and reagent management
* Support effective cryostorage management in collaboration with the central cryomanagement team
* Participate in weekend, on‐call and flexible working patterns as required
Leadership and management
* Support and deputise for the Laboratory Manager, including providing laboratory oversight in their absence
* Supervise, train and mentor scientific and support staff, acting as a role model for professional practice
* Allocate workloads, maintain safe staffing levels and contribute to workforce planning
* Chair team meetings and contribute to clinic and senior management discussions
* Support performance management, appraisals, induction and staff development
Governance, quality and compliance
* Support ongoing compliance with HFEA, quality and regulatory requirements
* Assist with internal and external inspections and audit activity
* Contribute to incident reporting, investigation and continuous improvement activities
* Support the response to laboratory‐related concerns and complaints
Service development
* Contribute to service improvement initiatives, research activity and innovation within the laboratory
* Take ownership of a designated specialist area (e.g. audit, cryostorage, training, equipment or imports/exports)
About you
Essential
* BSc (minimum 2:1 or equivalent) in a relevant life science subject
* HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist
* Proven experience in a reproductive science leadership or senior embryology role
* Competent in ICSI, oocyte vitrification and embryo biopsy
* Experience training and supervising junior scientific staff
* Strong understanding of quality management systems and laboratory governance
* Excellent organisational, communication and decision‐making skills
Desirable
* RCPath Part I/II or HSST (or working towards)
* Leadership or management qualification
* Experience working within an HFEA‐licensed environment
* STP "Train the Trainer" certification
Key details
Hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week, between 8am - 4pm (with some weekend work on a rota basis).
Benefits include
* 33 days' annual leave (including public holidays)
* Pension scheme
* Life assurance
* A range of other benefits, including retail discounts and access to our wellbeing hub
This post is subject to a DBS check.
#J-18808-Ljbffr