Sonal Kachaliya
Laboratory Manager and Laboratory Director
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About
Experienced HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist with over 20 years of expertise across NHS and private healthcare laboratories. Holding a BSc in Microbiology and an MSc in Medical Molecular Biology, I have extensive experience leading multidisciplinary laboratory services, quality management systems, UKAS accreditation, molecular diagnostics, microbiology, and regulatory compliance. Proven ability to establish and transform laboratory services from concept through to UKAS accreditation, whilst delivering operational excellence, governance, innovation, and continuous service improvement.
Recognised for strategic leadership, quality assurance, laboratory governance, stakeholder engagement, and implementation of robust diagnostic services that improve patient care and organisational performance.
Experience
Laboratory Director (Band -9) & Laboratory Manager (Band 8C) at Harley Street Pathology Services (2021-10 – Present)
Provide strategic and operational leadership for a multidisciplinary UKAS-accredited pathology laboratory delivering microbiology, molecular diagnostics, serology, haematology and biochemistry services.
- Led laboratory establishment from initial setup to successful UKAS accreditation
- Directed strategic planning, governance and operational delivery
- Developed laboratory frameworks for Microbiology, Molecular Biology and STD Serology
- Full responsibility for laboratory budgets, procurement and supplier contracts
- Managed multidisciplinary scientific and clinical teams
- Oversaw EQA, IQC, CAPA and non-conformance investigations
- Implemented enterprise LIMS and STD-specific LIMS
- Introduced automated temperature monitoring systems
- Managed document control and quality systems across all pathology disciplines
- Chaired Management Review Meetings
- Conducted comprehensive laboratory risk assessments
- Approved SOPs, policies, forms and controlled documentation
- Led continuous improvement programmes
- Managed UKAS surveillance visits and regulatory inspections
- Represented the laboratory with regulatory bodies and external stakeholders
Consultant Biomedical Scientist at Kernel Biolab (2021-06 – 2022-09)
- Led UKAS accreditation planning for a newly established microbiology laboratory
- Conducted compliance gap analysis
- Performed laboratory risk assessments
- Reviewed and implemented SOPs
- Conducted internal audits
- Participated in strategic management meetings
- Supported laboratory design and quality systems implementation
Consultant Biomedical Scientist – Quality & UKAS at Oxsed Testing (Oxford) (2021-01 – 2021-09)
- Primary contact for UKAS accreditation
- Led assessor meetings
- Managed CAPA and non-conformance investigations
- Conducted audits across airport testing facilities
- Reviewed quality indicators
- Updated Measurement of Uncertainty
- Introduced Internal Quality Assessment programmes
- Oversaw KingFisher RNA extraction
- Managed QuantuMDx COVID RT-PCR testing
Biomedical Scientist at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (Watford Hospital) (2017-11 – 2021-10)
Provided specialist diagnostic microbiology and molecular diagnostic services while supporting COVID-19 testing throughout the pandemic.
- Led COVID molecular diagnostic services
- Managed laboratory workload and staffing
- Trained Biomedical Scientists and Trainee Biomedical Scientists
- Performed internal audits
- Managed CAPA investigations
- Developed Quality Control libraries
- Managed IQC and EQA programmes
- Supported infection prevention initiatives
Biomedical Scientist (Band 6) at NHS Blood and Transplant (Colindale) (2004 – 2008)
- Performed specialist microbiology and virology testing
- Trained Biomedical Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants
- Wrote and reviewed SOPs
- Supervised laboratory workflow
- Performed equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
- Coordinated daily laboratory operations
Education
MSc in Medical Molecular Biology – University of Westminster, London (2002 – 2004)
MSc in Biomedical Science – Gujarat University (1999 – 2001)
Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) – Gujarat Cancer Institute (1998 – 1999)
BSc in Microbiology – Gujarat University (1995 – 1998)
