Biological Testing Technician

NWSSP Legal & Risk Services; Stonehouse; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare testing laboratory in the UK is looking for a Biological Testing Technician for a fixed-term role covering maternity leave. Responsibilities include testing medical devices and performing analyses to ensure safety and compliance with standards. The ideal candidate should have a biological degree and experience in a microbiological laboratory. This position fosters a collaborative work environment within the NHS and encourages a commitment to equality and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Requires scientific knowledge acquired through a relevant biological degree or equivalent.
• Previous practical microbiological or biological laboratory experience.
• Experience in working with pathogenic microorganisms.

Responsibilities

• Test medical devices to assess safety and suitability.
• Perform tests including endotoxin and antimicrobial testing.
• Analyze raw scientific data for compliance.

Skills

Microbial morphology and identification

Antimicrobial testing

Chemical analysis

Computer IT experience

Teamwork

Education

Biological degree or equivalent

Tools

Laboratory Information Management Systems

UNIX-like operating systems

Job description

If you are looking to join NWSSP, please see the additional information below that may be of interest to you:

Our Benefits video has been created to highlight and showcase some of the benefits of working for the NHS and NWSSP: https://youtu.be/zX3x046SDhg

The Tops Tips – Be Yourself video has been designed to support candidates applying for roles with NWSSP. We have outlined 8 key steps to help candidates articulate their capabilities and experience when completing applications with NWSSP. https://youtu.be/qe3ibY8b6m4

Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh. Any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.

Job Overview

The role will be based at both our Bridgend and Newport sites. It is within the biological laboratory and will involve testing medical devices for the NHS in Wales and commercial clients. The role will operate within a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited quality system. Duties include sample handling and testing of surgical materials, dressings, and medical/surgical devices using a variety of microbiological, biological and chemical techniques. This post is fixed term/secondment for 12 months to 01/09/2026 to cover maternity leave. If applying as a secondment, permission from your current line manager is required.

Main Duties

• Test medical devices for the Welsh NHS and industry to assess safety and suitability for patient use.
• Select and perform a wide range of tests on medical devices, including endotoxin, bioburden, antimicrobial testing of dressings and dry penetration of surgical drapes & gowns.
• Use knowledge of British, European, and International Standards to determine if testing can be conducted by the laboratory.
• Analyse, compare and interpret raw scientific data to determine compliance with standards.
• Write, validate and utilise Test Methods and Standard Operating Procedures for the department, ensuring databases and documentation systems are current.
• Apply the Control Of Substances Hazardous To Health Regulations, Risk Assessments and Hazard Data Sheets, and departmental Health and Safety Regulations.
• Liaise and communicate with clients and healthcare staff over testing projects at various levels.
• Check and maintain the supply of laboratory consumables, chemical stock, and monitor temperatures in fridges, freezers and incubators that store expensive biological materials, reagents and samples.

Working for Our Organisation

At NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership we expect everyone to embrace our values of Listening and Learning, Working Together, Taking Responsibility and Innovating. Our organisation encourages an agile working approach and is proud of being a learning organisation motivated by continuous improvement. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion, focusing on wellbeing and belonging. Excellent customer service is something we strive for, for both internal and external customers.

NWSSP works in an agile way where possible; all posts have a contractual base but may include working from home and other locations. We also consider balancing flexibility with community and managing opportunities to learn from each other.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Person Specification

Qualifications And Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Requires scientific knowledge acquired through a relevant biological degree or equivalent.
• Previous practical microbiological or biological laboratory experience and on-the-job training in the specific microbiological, biological and chemical test methods used in the laboratory, e.g. Gram staining, and water chemical testing.

Desirable criteria

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience in microbial morphology and identification, antimicrobial testing of medical devices, chemical analysis of water.
• Experience in working with a range of pathogenic microorganisms, animal cell lines, and bacteriophage.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working to a defined quality system, preferably ISO 17025 accredited.
• Good laboratory techniques such as pipetting, identification of organisms, endotoxin and TVC testing.

Skills and Attributes

Essential criteria

• Previous computer IT experience e.g. UNIX-like operating systems, MS office and Laboratory Information Management Systems.
• Ability to communicate with individuals on all levels.
• Ability to work as part of a team, or unsupervised.

Desirable criteria

• Ability to accurately follow written procedures.
• Ability to work to strict deadlines and manage conflicting demands on time and resources.

Other

Essential criteria

• Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner.

Desirable criteria

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1) or willingness to work towards.

We are committed to flexible working and equal opportunities.

Interview Process

If you are shortlisted for an interview you will be contacted by email using the email address with which you registered. Please ensure that you check your email account regularly.

Prior consideration for this vacancy will be given to staff awaiting redeployment. We therefore reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any stage.

When applying for this post it is essential that you read the Job Description and Person Specification (where available) and demonstrate how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the person specification. Only candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted.

To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or a Skilled Worker visa, unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self‑assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK. If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.

Applicant Requirements

Welsh language skills are desirable.

Documents to Download

• Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, 360.4KB)
• Swydd ddisgrifiad Cymraeg (PDF, 472.4KB)
• English (PDF, 640.5KB)
• Biological testing technician Technical Document Welsh (PDF, 576.5KB)
• NWSSP Recruitment Services Privacy Notice (PDF, 696.3KB)
• NWSSP - About Us (PDF, 6.6MB)
• NWSSP - Our Benefits 2023 (PDF, 487.5KB)
• NWSSP - Buddion (PDF, 491.0KB)
• PCGC -Amdanom (PDF, 6.7MB)
• Guidance Notes for Applicants Nov25 (PDF, 322.5KB)
• Intergrated Medium Term Plan 2025-2028 (PDF, 15.1MB)
• Intergrated Medium Term Plan 2025-2028 - Cymraeg (PDF, 18.0MB)

Further Details / Informal Visits Contact

Name: Pamela Ashman
Job title: Technical Manager
Email address: [e-mail]
Telephone number: 01656 752820