Laboratory Manager

About Metabolic

Metabolic is a pioneering healthcare clinic based in Knightsbridge, London, delivering comprehensive, technology-enabled, and patient-centric care for individuals with diabetes, obesity, cardiometabolic conditions and other metabolic disorders. We are redefining chronic disease management through an integrated care model, continuous monitoring technologies, and a multidisciplinary team approach that places the patient at the centre of every clinical decision.

Job Summary

We are seeking a qualified and experienced Laboratory Manager – HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist or equivalent – to lead the day-to-day operation, quality and regulatory standing of our laboratory and diagnostic services. The successful candidate will play a critical role in delivering accurate, timely and clinically meaningful pathology results that underpin the diagnosis and management of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, endocrine disorders, obesity-related complications and associated metabolic conditions. The post-holder will work collaboratively across our integrated care model and contribute to the continued development of laboratory and point-of-care services at Metabolic.

Key Responsibilities

1. Laboratory Operations & Diagnostic Service Delivery

• Manage the daily operation of the laboratory across the pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phases, ensuring accurate and timely reporting against agreed turnaround times (TATs).
• Oversee the metabolic test repertoire — including HbA1c, oral glucose tolerance testing, lipid profiles, liver and renal function, thyroid and reproductive hormone panels, vitamin and micronutrient assays, inflammatory markers, and emerging cardiometabolic biomarkers.
• Manage point-of-care testing (POCT) services in clinic rooms in line with ISO 22870 / ISO 15189 POCT requirements, including operator training, competency and integration with the LIMS.
• Establish and maintain referral arrangements with UKAS-accredited reference and esoteric laboratories (NHS and private), including service-level agreements, sample logistics and result integration.
• Ensure adequate stocks of reagents, controls, calibrators and consumables, managing supplier contracts and cost control within the agreed budget.
• Lead the setup, configuration and ongoing optimisation of the EMR and LIMS, driving end-to-end laboratory digital workflow implementation and integration with clinical systems.
• Manage real-time laboratory operations and TAT-driven workflows, using performance dashboards and exception reporting to maintain throughput and service standards.
• Plan and monitor the laboratory budget, providing financial oversight, cost-per-test analysis and variance reporting to support sustainable service delivery.
• Lead vendor negotiation and contract management discussions for analysers, reagents, consumables and managed-service agreements, ensuring value for money and continuity of supply.

2. Patient Pathway & Sample Management

• Oversee the patient journey from phlebotomy and sample collection through to reporting, ensuring patient comfort, dignity, privacy and safety at every step.
• Ensure robust patient identification, consent capture for diagnostic testing, and clear communication of pre-test instructions where required.
• Support clinicians in the sensitive communication of significant or unexpected results, in line with Duty of Candour expectations.
• Ensure safe transport of pathology specimens in line with UN3373 (Category B) and ADR road transport regulations for couriered samples.

3. Collaboration and Consultation

• Work closely with other healthcare professionals – including endocrinologists, cardiologists, bariatric physicians, surgeons, GPs, dietitians, nurses and allied health practitioners – to deliver coordinated, comprehensive care.
• Participate actively in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and clinical governance forums, providing pathology insight on complex cases.
• Liaise with external referrers, reference laboratories, tertiary centres and NHS partners as required.
• Support business development by advising on new test introductions, pricing of test bundles and capacity planning for advanced metabolic diagnostics (e.g. advanced lipoprotein analysis, CGM-linked diagnostics, insulin resistance panels).

4. Quality, Safety and Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain the highest standards of diagnostic quality and clinical governance, acting as the laboratory Quality Manager and owner of the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure compliance with UKAS ISO 15189 (Medical laboratories – Requirements for quality and competence), ISO 15190 (laboratory safety) and ISO 22870 (point-of-care accreditation/certification with UKAS).
• Comply with all Care Quality Commission (CQC) Fundamental Standards and contribute to evidence for inspections, internal audits and management reviews.
• Ensure compliance with Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) requirements for in-vitro diagnostic medical devices, including incident and vigilance reporting
• Adhere to information governance obligations under the UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, Caldicott principles and, where applicable, the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT).
• Maintain compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, COSHH 2002, RIDDOR 2013, the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 and Hazardous Waste Regulations.
• Understand, follow and actively support all clinic infection prevention and control programmes, in line with UKHSA guidance and the Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice.
• Manage internal quality control (IQC), External Quality Assessment (EQA) participation (e.g. UK NEQAS) and corrective action processes; investigate non-conformities and incidents and lead root cause analysis and CAPA SOPs & Policies.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in laboratory medicine and implement evidence-based best practice.

5. People Management, Professional and Administrative Duties

• Lead, develop and retain a high-performing team of Biomedical Scientists, Medical Laboratory Assistants and phlebotomists; manage rotas, leave and absence in line with the Working Time Regulations 1998 and the Equality Act 2010.
• Maintain employee files, induction records, competency assessments and CPD evidence; conduct appraisals and support staff through IBMS portfolio progression, HCPC revalidation and registration renewal.
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and complete laboratory and patient records, including LIMS audit trails and document control.
• Participate in continuous professional development (CPD) in line with IBMS / HCPC requirements and engage fully with annual appraisal and revalidation.
• Maintain appropriate professional indemnity cover at all times.
• Complete all mandatory training, including (but not limited to) Basic Life Support, fire safety, manual handling, equality and diversity, information governance and infection prevention and control.
• Assist in the development and implementation of departmental policies, standard operating procedures and service improvement initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience

• BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science (IBMS-accredited) or equivalent life-science degree recognised for HCPC registration.
• Current Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration as a Biomedical Scientist (essential).
• Active membership of, and CPD compliance with, the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS); Specialist Portfolio or Higher Specialist Diploma in Clinical Biochemistry (or related specialism) preferred.
• Postgraduate qualification (MSc in Biomedical Science / Clinical Science, or MBA / MSc in Healthcare Management) is desirable.
• Right to work in the United Kingdom.
• Satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Minimum of 5 years’ post-qualification experience in a UKAS-accredited clinical laboratory, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or management capacity.
• Demonstrable experience of UKAS ISO 15189 implementation, CQC inspection and laboratory quality management; experience working in a private / independent healthcare setting is highly advantageous.
• Strong working knowledge of clinical biochemistry within metabolic, endocrine and cardiovascular pathways; experience of haematology, immunoassay and point-of-care testing is desirable.
• Familiarity with LIMS, EPR integration and digital pathology workflows.
• Strong analytical, leadership and people-management skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and proven ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Fluent English (written and spoken).

Personal Attributes

• Patient-centred approach with a commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care.
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to contribute to a multidisciplinary, integrated model of care.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for innovation in chronic disease management and digital health.
• Reliability, professionalism and sound clinical judgement.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work in a cutting-edge, patient-first integrated care model in the heart of Knightsbridge.
• A supportive, collegiate and innovative clinical environment.
• Continuous learning and career development in chronic disease management and digital health.
• A competitive salary and benefits package.
• Remuneration: Competitive salary
• Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave
• Development: Support for specialist training and professional development in metabolic medicine.
• Bonus: Performance-related bonus scheme, reviewed annually, based on the achievement of agreed operational, governance, and service development objectives. Bonus payments are entirely discretionary, non-contractual, and will never be linked to prescribing volumes, medicines sales, or any clinical decision making. Full details of the scheme will be provided at offer stage.

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