Pathology Quality Support Officer; Apprenticeship

Pathology Quality Support Officer (Apprenticeship)

A developmental opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join the NWLP Quality team as a Band 4 Pathology Quality Support Officer.

This is a substantive role where you will be expected to complete the Level 3 Quality Improvement Apprenticeship. The purpose of the apprenticeship role is to provide an opportunity to develop practical experience and skills whilst working as a member of our team.

You will be responsible for the administration of the incident management and Quality Management systems within NWLP, which will involve the reporting and following up of incidents, administration of Quality management software, preparing reports using quality data and carrying out audits of the quality management system across all sites and Pathology disciplines.

This post will also require your involvement with any administrative tasks required by the quality team including minute taking. Previous experience in quality is not required for this post as full training will be given. We are a multisite organisation and you will work on a two weekly rota covering all 6 sites across NWLP.

• To deliver high quality support providing effective, confidential, administrative supporton a day to day basis to the Pathology Quality Team.
• To deputise for the Senior Pathology Quality Support Officer as necessary.
• To monitor Pathology-related incidents reported on NWLP's incident reporting systems.
• To collate reports that enable monitoring of the functioning and effectiveness of Pathology incident and risk management.
• To review the laboratory department conformance with ISO
  15189 and other accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• To plan, carry out and document objective, multi-site internal audits as per the Pathology and Divisional internal audit schedules and procedures.

Benefits include career development, flexible working, staff wellbeing programmes, staff awards and recognition scheme. We also have available benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

NWLP Induction

The NWLP induction will run on the first Monday of each month (provided it does not fall on a bank holiday) and includes laboratory training (for relevant laboratory roles). All new staff must attend the NWLP induction during their first week with NWLP.

For 2025/26, see below the start dates which you will be able to book once you have completed all your pre-employment checks.

Monday 2 February 2026

Monday 2 March 2026

Monday 13 April 2026

Monday 11 May 2026

Monday 1 June 2026

Monday 6 July 2026

Monday 3 August 2026

Monday 7 September 2026

Monday 5 October 2026

Monday 2 November 2026

Monday 7 December 2026

Candidates are advised to consider these start dates before agreeing end of service date with their current employer.

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

• A' Levels or equivalent
• ECDL or proven relevant experience
• Educated to degree level / Management qualification

• Able to read and follow written methodologies or protocols.
• Ability to plan ahead and manage large amounts of information
• Able to undertake continuous VDU usage maintaining intense concentration to ensure high standards of accuracy
• Proficient working knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs
• Ability to work with a range of multidisciplinary groups
• Experience of using Quality management system software

• Experience of working within an NHS or Healthcare setting
• Experience of dealing with conflict and difficult situations
• Knowledge and understanding of good time management
• Experience of filing systems and general clerical duties
• Experience of accreditation procedures and standards (e.g. UKAS, EFI, GLP)
• Data retrieval from LIMs system
• Knowledge of regulations relevant to the department.
• Previous pathology laboratory experience

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.