Non-Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology

NHS; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading healthcare provider as a Non-Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology at Harrogate District Hospital. This role involves delivering high-quality diagnostic services and requires collaboration within a skilled team. Ideal candidates will have HCPC registration, a relevant degree, and significant practical experience in microbiology.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Programme

Counselling service

Fast-track Physiotherapy service

Staff Recognition Awards

Qualifications

• HCPC Registration required.
• At least 12 months post-registration experience in a UK Clinical Microbiology laboratory preferred.
• Experience in manual sensitivity testing and mycology is essential.

Responsibilities

• Support teaching and development of all staff groups.
• Participate in quality management for UKAS accreditation.
• Process approximately 150,000 samples annually in the Microbiology department.

Skills

Manual dexterity

Analytical skills

Good interpersonal skills

Ability to work under pressure

Organizational skills

Education

IBMS accredited BSc degree or equivalent

Tools

LIMS (WinPath, Clinisys)

Job description

Go back Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

Non-Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology

The closing date is 07 July 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a HCPC registered, Non-Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join our highly skilled and motivated Microbiology team at Harrogate District Hospital. The Microbiology team at Harrogate is highly regarded as having an excellent reputation with service users. The focus of the department is on delivery of a high quality service, with patients at the centre of everything we do. Our vision is to achieve excellence every time.

The team at Harrogate is small and friendly, requiring a high degree of team work and co-operation from its members; so candidates should be prepared to be part of the close knit environment fostered in the department.

The ideal candidate will have proven post-registration experience within Microbiology and meet the full criteria of the Non-Specialist BMS Band 5 Job Description and Person Specification.

Main duties of the job

Our well established Microbiology department processes approximately 150,000 samples per year. The comprehensive clinical service includes bacteriology, serology, molecular microbiology, mycology and parasitology. The department utilises several different platforms; such as BD BacTec FX, Sysmex UF5000, bioMerieux Biofire, DiaSorin Liaison XL and Cepheid GeneXpert.

The candidate must have previous experience working in a clinical microbiology laboratory. They must be a team player and have an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of general microbiology; including manual sensitivity testing, mycology, molecular techniques, virology / serology systems and automated urine analysis. The LIMS (WinPath, Clinisys) is connected to electronic requesting and reporting. The department holds full UKAS accreditation and utilises the QPulse document management system.

The post is for 37.5 hours per week; however, part time may be considered. In addition, once deemed competent, the post holder will be contracted to take part in the out of hours service (17:30 - 21:00 on weekdays; 12:45 - 21:00 on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays) and the weekend and Bank Holiday service (09:00 - 12:45).

About us

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area, as well as across North Yorkshire, Leeds and parts of the North East.

At HDFT we provide outstanding care to both our patients and our staff and we value Kindness, Integrity, Teamwork and Equality. If you're looking for an interesting and rewarding career in the NHS, where you can make a real difference to patients' lives, HDFT could be the place for you!

We offer colleagues:

• A supportive culture so colleagues can bring their whole selves to work.
• Staff Recognition - as well as regular appraisals, we recognise achievements with our Making a Difference & Team of the Month Awards, along with annual Colleague Recognition Awards.
• Employee Support and wellbeing - we offer a wide range of staff benefits including an Employee Assistance Programme, counselling service and a fast-track Physiotherapy service.

Please note:

• Due to high levels of interest, posts may close early if we reach a sufficient number of applications
• Visa sponsorship is only available for certain roles. Please ensure the role you are interested in meets the criteria for a visa before submitting your application.
• Please also be aware that the Trust does not offer relocation packages for Agenda for Change roles.
• All job offers are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.

Job responsibilities

The successful applicant will support teaching and development of all staff groups in the department, as well as participate in all aspects of quality management to assist continuing UKAS accreditation to ISO 15189 standards.

For further information please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• HCPC Registration
• IBMS accredited BSc degree or equivalent
• Membership to the IBMS

Experience

• At least 12 months post-registration experience in a UK Clinical Microbiology laboratory
• At least 12 months experience in a UKAS accredited laboratory
• Broad and specialist experience of clinical Microbiology procedures
• Experience in manual sensitivity testing, specifically using EUCAST guidelines
• Experience in mycology
• Experince in virology / serology systems
• Experience in automated urine analysis
• Experience in multi-disciplinary team working
• Experience in conducting audits

Knowledge

• Sound technical and scientific knowledge of diagnostic microbiology
• Knowledge of Health and Safety issues in pathology
• Knowledge of UKAS accreditation for clinical laboratories
• Ability to apply theoretical knowledge into practice
• Ability to provide frequent prolonged concentration
• Ability to work under pressure
• Knowledge and understanding of IT in a pathology environment

Skills

• Ability to provide and receive complex information whilst communicating with other healthcare professionals
• Possess high levels of manual dexterity and hand/eye co-ordination
• Good analytical skills
• Ability to observe and interpret complex result data
• Good organisational skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Persuasion and empathy skills

Personal Circumstances

• Self-motivated
• Interest in and enthusiasm for improving the laboratory service
• Able to prioritise and respond flexibly to changing demands within the department and corporate agenda
• Committed to continuous self-development
• Committed to equal opportunities
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Positive outlook
• Adaptability and flexibility

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.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

£29,970 to £36,483 a yearper annum (pro rata)