Job summary
- Main area
- Specimen Reception
- Grade
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent: 24/7 Multi-site
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (24/7 Multi Site)
- Job ref
- 349-CSS-7901181*
- Employer
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Clinical Sciences Building - Wythenshawe
- Town
- Manchester
- Salary
- £28,392 - £31,157 per annum (pro rata)
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 22/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Specimen Reception Team Leader
Band 4
Job overview
An excellent opportunity for an experienced supervisor for career development in Wythenshawe Hospital Specimen Reception (WHSR). As the service expands, there is an opportunity to contribute to how the department operates and processes undertaken going forward.
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the leading Trust for teaching, research and specialist services in the Northwest of England.
Main duties of the job
The WHSR team you will be joining provides a quality service running and maintaining pre-analytical equipment as well as unpacking, labelling and registering samples, results reporting and supporting our GPs.
As a Team Leader, we’ll look to you to support the administration and management of the WHSR service, supervise its teams, co-ordinate training and undertake first line management with oversight from the management of Central Specimen Reception (CSR), Oxford Road .
A challenging role where accuracy is an essential factor, you’ll be responsible for a large team of staff. This role is an integral part of the MFT CSR team, who are crucial to the operational effectiveness of the laboratory service in one of the leading University Hospital NHS Trusts. The main interface between the Laboratories and Clinical Users, we’ll look to you to ensure that patient samples are collected, processed and reported safely and in a timely manner.
There are 1 post, predominantly based at the WHSR, but you will be required to work at Trafford and other MFT sites as part of your training as well as resilience of the service.
You'll also need to be organised and committed. Ideally you will have experience of leading or managing teams, good IT and communications skills are essential, as is a genuine dedication to delivering a high standard of care as part of a close-knit team.
In return we will provide a comprehensive induction and training programme and you will be appraised on a yearly basis .
Working for our organisation
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe – a great place to shape your career.
With a workforce of over 30,000 colleagues, we work together to deliver exceptional care to more than 1 million people every year.
Behind every patient cared for are people like you - keeping services running smoothly, supporting clinical teams, and helping create safe, welcoming environments for patients and our people alike.
At MFT, we believe in the power of teamwork, respect, and inclusion. Our People Plan reflects our commitment to making MFT a place where everyone feels they belong, where your ideas are heard, and your contribution is truly valued. Join us and work smarter with our digital technology and thrive in a collaborative culture that empowers you to deliver your best to ensure that your work behind the scenes creates seamless, high-quality care and exceptional patient outcomes.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, we offer clear pathways for development and a culture that supports your wellbeing, ambition, and success. Everything you do makes a real difference to the lives of others.
At MFT, your role matters, your impact is real, and you’re part of something bigger from day one.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading.
Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are — what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place', simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Documents to download’ section and once opened, you can either scan or click on the QR code.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU—for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application—especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions—is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- • Literate and numerate with 5 GCSE grade C or above including English and Maths
- • Vocational Qualification Level 3 or equivalent level plus additional theoretical or applied training in specific discipline to diploma equivalent level.
Desirable criteria
- • General Management qualification
- • Evidence of Ongoing CPD
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- • Experience of working in a busy and pressured environment
- • Evidence of using complex equipment
- • Understanding of Laboratory Health and Safety procedures and protocols
Desirable criteria
- • Experience of working in a pathology laboratory
- • Previous Stores experience
Skills
Essential criteria
- • Competent user of MS Office Word, Excel; Email, internet, databases
- • Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times
- • Able to communicate both verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner
- • Ability to prioritise work and supervise a team effectively and to work well within a team
Desirable criteria
- • Experience with Q Pulse
- • Previous development of appropriate interpretative skills
- • Previous experience of using laboratory IT systems e.g. APEX
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- David Rhead
- Job title
- CSR Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0161 276 4692
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