Biomedical Scientist

Ncic; Carlisle; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27-day holiday scheme rising to 33

NHS Discounts

Salary Sacrifice schemes (lease cars,

Vivup wellbeing support

Job summary

NCIC is seeking a Band 5 Biomedical Scientist to join the Microbiology team at Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle. You must be HCPC registered and experienced in microbiology, with a commitment to weekend and on-call duties after training.

The department handles about 250,000 requests annually using automated platforms and culture techniques, in an ISO 15189 accredited setting. The post offers a full-time contract with progression through training, and a supportive CPD culture within Infection

Qualifications

• HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist.
• Experience in microbiology laboratory.
• Willingness to work weekends and on-call after training.

Responsibilities

• Process ~250,000 microbiology requests annually.
• Operate automated platforms (IRIS urine analyser, Mast Urisystem, Dynex DS2, Cepheid, BacTec).
• Engage in CPD and training; participate in weekend/on-call rota.
• Demonstrate planning, organisation, and strong communication.
• Permanent full-time position.

Skills

Practical laboratory skills

Communication skills

Organisation

Prioritisation

Problem solving

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Education

BSc in biomedical science or equivalent

HCPC registration

Tools

Telepath LIMS

ICE

Q-Pulse

IRIS urine analyser

Mast Urisystem

Dynex DS2

Cepheid

BacTec

Job description

Would you like to join a centre of excellence in rural and remote healthcare?

Main area CIC Microbiology - 200043 Grade NHS AfC: Band 5 Contract Permanent: Commitment to weekend working and on call after completion of required training Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Following completion of training will be required to work on call and weekend working commitment) Job ref 262-A-26-8247894

Site Cumberland Infirmary Town Carlisle Salary £32,073 - £39,043 Per Annum Salary period Yearly Closing 11/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

Band 5 Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology

Based at the Cumberland Infirmary, Microbiology Department.

Applications are invited from HCPC registered BMS’s .

Experience of working in a microbiology laboratory is required.

The Virology, Immunology and Microbiology departments that make up Infection Sciences are well equipped and are all ISO 15189 accredited. We use Telepath LIMS with ICE electronic requesting and reporting, and Q-Pulse quality management system.

Main duties of the job

The diagnostic workload in Microbiology is approx. 250,000 requests annually with all work centralised at the Cumberland Infirmary site in Carlisle.

We use a range of automated testing platforms including IRIS urine analyser, Mast Urisystem, Dynex DS2, Cepheid and BacTec Blood Culture. We also perform traditional culture for the main laboratory areas and both Parasitology and Mycology are included in our repertoire.

The department is approved for training by the HCPC and IBMS and you will be encouraged to participate in CPD. After suitable training you will be expected to participate in a rota for weekend and out of hours working for which an additional payment will be paid. You should show evidence and be able to demonstrate good planning, organisational and interpersonal skills as well as evidence of competence in problem solving and prioritising workloads. Excellent communication skills are essential for this post. This is a permanent full time position.

Working for our organisation

At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria.The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.

Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of ‘safe, high quality care every time’:

• Being a clinically led organisation
• Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust
• A positive patient experience every time
• A great place to work
• Managing our money well

As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.

Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.

Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.

Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligiblevacancies.

Disclosure and Barring Service:

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:

Standard Check: £21.50 + Administration cost of £6.50 = £28.00. Deducted from salary over following 4 months or one off payment.

Enhanced Check: £49.50 + administration cost of £6.50 = £56.00. Deducted from salary over following 4 months or one off payment.

NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:

27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years

NHS Discounts*

Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*

Vivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems

*Subject to eligibility

Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.

Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.

Person specification

Skills and Aptitudes

• Practical laboratory skills.
• Able to use initiative appropriately within a team.
• Ability to analyse work to determine compliance with standards.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to prioritise work to meet deadlines.
• Good hand/eye co-ordination.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to demonstrate the compassionate values and behaviours needed for dignified care

Qualifications

• BSc in biomedical science or equivalent. HCPC registration.
• HCPC registration
• Essential IT skills (EITS) or equivalent.

Experience

• All areas of chosen discipline.
• Supervision and training.
• Technical audit.

Knowledge

• Underpinning theory of laboratory practice in area of chosen discipline.
• Laboratory health and safety, COSHH, and risk assessment.
• Continuing professional development with portfolio.
• Equality legislation and best practice.

Other Requirements

• Flexible approach to working unsocial hours including nights, weekends and public holidays.
• Ability to travel independently between sites.

Personal Circumstances

• Meticulous
• Motivation

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.