West London NHS Trust
Team Leader - Blood Sciences (Band 4)

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
North Bristol NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust Merger
North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.
Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.
Job Overview
Applications are invited for the post of Team Leader - Blood Sciences Sample Reception.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced person who will be responsible for working within a team to provide day-to-day management and supervision of our Medical Laboratory Assistants working within Blood Sciences Specimen Reception, Automated Blood Sciences and Blood Transfusion.
As a Team Leader the successful applicant will be required to lead and motivate our team of MLAs to ensure we provide the best possible service to our patients - both within the hospital and to our GP practices across our 24/7 service.
The postholder will be expected to work within a shift system between 08:00 and 22:00 over 7 days per week, to include Bank Holidays.
Please note this is not a training post and does not support completion of the HCPC Portfolio.
To understand more about what it's like to work in Pathology, watch this video
This advert may close early, if we have received a sufficient amount of applications. Therefore you are highly advised to apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this position.
Main duties of the job
Key Tasks Will Include
- Day to day management and supervision of MLA staff.
- Training staff in the Sample Reception processes and other related areas.
- Organisation of staff rotas.
- Monitoring, approval and recording of annual leave.
- Undertaking first line sickness absence management.
- Staff recruitment.
- Ongoing appraisals of MLA staff.
- Creation, review and amendment of Standard Operating Procedures.
- Participating in data input of patient details and test request information.
- Sorting, pre-analytical preparation and processing clinical samples.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Working for our organisation
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.
With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
As a Team Leader the successful applicant will required to lead and motivate our team of MLAs to ensure we provide the best possible service to our patients - both within the hospital and in our GP practices.
You will be responsible for first line management and supervision of staff, organising staff rotas, monitoring and approving annual leave, participating in staff recruitment and appraisal processes and undertaking sickness absence management.
You will be responsible for creating, reviewing and amending Standard Operating Procedures and related competencies and for ensuring staff are trained and competent in all processes.
You will be required to participate in the day-to-day pre analytical processes of Sample Reception, carrying out data input into our Pathology computer system and ensuring all pre analytical processes are carried out correctly.
You must be able to deal with confidential information appropriately, be able to work accurately and to deadlines and be able to work with minimum supervision.
You should have previous supervisory experience.
Previous Pathology Experience Is Desirable But Not Essential.
You will need to be flexible and adaptable to meet our ever changing needs and able to demonstrate initiative and good communication skills.
Person specification
Essential/Desirable
Essential criteria
- Education to GCSE standard or equivalent in English, Maths and Sciences
- Previous staff supervisory experience
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Experience of using computer systems and data input
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
Desirable criteria
- Working knowledge of Pathology and Hospital computer systems, eg., Winpath, Q-Pulse, Care Flow and Health Roster
- ILM Lever 2 or IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part 1
- Previous experience of working in a Pathology Laboratory


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.
As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.
Important
Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.
Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification
Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.
As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.
When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location