Biomedical Scientist (Bacteriology)

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable healthcare provider in Lancashire is seeking experienced Specialist Biomedical Scientists in Bacteriology to join their Microbiology team. Candidates must hold a Biomedical Sciences degree and be HCPC registered. The role involves conducting diagnostic tests on clinical samples, ensuring adherence to quality standards, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. Applicants must be able to work variable hours, including evenings and weekends. This position offers an opportunity to contribute significantly to patient care and diagnostics.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist.
• Significant Post HCPC Registration Experience in a Clinical Bacteriology laboratory.
• Demonstrated competency in Bacteriology Department.

Responsibilities

• Perform diagnostic tests on clinical samples.
• Use culture, microscopy, and PCR techniques.
• Interpret and validate test results in compliance with standards.
• Communicate with healthcare professionals regarding results.
• Contribute to training and mentorship of junior staff.

Skills

Safe handling of hazardous materials

Laboratory quality understanding

Data input and IT skills

Good communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Biomedical Sciences (hons) degree or equivalent

Job description

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Biomedical Scientist (Bacteriology)

Closing date: 24 December 2025

Our busy and friendly Microbiology team at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals is looking for 2 WTE Band 6 Specialist Biomedical Scientists to join us as we continue to deliver high-quality diagnostics and patient care.

Are you an experienced and motivated HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist looking to take the next step in your career? Do you hold the following:

• An accredited Biomedical scientist degree
• A years' experience working in a Bacteriology laboratory as a Biomedical Scientist
• Has a completed Specialist portfolio in Microbiology (if HCPC registration attained after 2008)/or equivalent experience/qualifications (If HCPC registration attained before 2008)?

If you have answered yes to these questions, please feel free contact us for an informal chat, we would love to hear from you!

Consideration will be given to those with IBMS registration and relevant laboratory experience for a Band 5 position. Automatic progression to a Band 6 position will be awarded based upon the following criteria being met:

• 1 year experience as a Band 5 post HCPC registered BMS within a Microbiology department
• Completion of the BVH Microbiology lone working associated competencies and integration onto the out of hours on-call rota

Please ensure that all aspects of the role requirements are covered in the "supporting information" section of your application.

Applicants will need to be able to work between 8am and 8pm. Participation in weekend and Bank Holiday sessions is also required.

Main duties of the job

The post holders will work in the context of the objectives of the Pathology Directorate and the Blackpool Teaching Hospital Trust as a registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist within the Bacteriology laboratory.

The principal duty of the post holder is to perform the following:

• Perform a wide range of diagnostic tests on clinical samples (e.g. blood, urine, swabs, sputum) to detect bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections
• Use techniques such as culture, microscopy, antigen detection, PCR, and other molecular methods
• Interpret and validate test results in accordance with laboratory protocols and quality standards
• Ensure all work complies with UKAS/ISO 15189 quality management systems and infection prevention guidelines
• Maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment and analysers
• Participate in internal and external quality assurance schemes
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure timely and accurate results delivery
• Communicate effectively with clinicians and other healthcare professionals regarding urgent or significant results
• Contribute to training, supervision, and mentorship of less experienced staff or students
• Take part in the extended working hours shift pattern, including evenings, weekends, and on-call duties

About us

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a 1-hour drive from Manchester & Liverpool. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac and Haematology patients.

Blackpool is a great place to live. In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers several scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the North and London in the South.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals encourages flexible working in all our roles to support staff in maintaining healthy home-life balance. Working patterns such as part time working, self-rostering, compressed hours, annualised hours can be explored. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Bacteriology) - job description attached. Any questions, please feel free to contact the Microbiology team for further discussion.

We recommend that all individuals employed in patient facing roles, or those located on a ward or department where patients receive a service should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Person Specification

Qualification Requirement

• Current HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist
• Biomedical Sciences (hons) degree or equivalent qualification suitable for HCPC registration
• Completed Specialist portfolio or equivalent in relevant discipline (If HCPC registration attained after 2008 a completed Specialist Portfolio is required)

Experience And Achievement

• Significant Post HCPC Registration Experience working in a Clinical Bacteriology laboratory (Band 6)
• Ability to demonstrate competency in all aspects of the Bacteriology Department
• Experience of IQA and EQA schemes
• Experience in automated and manual laboratory techniques
• Experience of accreditation systems

Skills and Knowledge

• Safe handling of hazardous materials and knowledge of H&S legislation
• Understanding of laboratory quality issues
• Data input and IT skills
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Accurate hand-eye co-ordination
• Good organisational skills
• Ability to act on own initiative
• Ability to organise work, prioritise tasks and manage own workload
• Evidence of participation in CPD
• Supervisory skills, Problem solving ability

Personal Attributes

• Able to work as part of a dedicated team
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work effectively under unpleasant conditions
• Flexibility of working pattern - must be able to work unsocial hours including weekdays until 8pm, weekends and bank holidays on rotation.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Blackpool Teaching Hospital, Microbiology