Senior Biomedical Scientist

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is inviting applications for a Biomedical Scientist in the Severn Pathology Bacteriology Department. The role involves technical leadership of a section, ensuring quality, and supporting clinicians with accurate diagnostics.

Based at Southmead Hospital, the post requires HCPC registration, a Biomedical Science degree, and a postgraduate qualification. Participation in out-of-hours and on-call duties is expected.

Qualifications

• HCPC registration as Biomedical Scientist.
• BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent.
• MSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent post graduate qualification/experience.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.

Responsibilities

• Manage and be in technical charge of a section of the Bacteriology service.
• Check quality of teamwork and take remedial action where needed.
• Plan daily staff rotas for work allocation and training.
• Manage laboratory information service for the specialty and enable client access to results.
• Train staff and demonstrate methodologies on complex equipment.
• Ensure standards meet ISO 15189:2022 accreditation requirements.
• Support high-quality, safe healthcare and participate in on-call/out-of-hours duties.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Leadership

Education

MSc Biomedical Sciences or equivalent

BSc in Biomedical Science

Job description

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received.

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Job Overview

An exciting opportunity to join the Bacteriology Department at Severn Pathology.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Hold registration with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) as a Biomedical Scientist
• Have a BSc Honours Degree in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
• Have a postgraduate level qualification in Biomedical Science equivalent to Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Science (FIBMS) or equivalent experience.
• Have experience in a UK Microbiology laboratory

Have responsibility to manage a section/s of the Bacteriology Laboratory, ensuring that all designated tasks are completed. They will use professional judgment to support and advise requesting clinicians upon effective diagnosis and treatment to improve patient management. Ensuring that quality management systems are maintained and implemented to maintain UKAS accreditation.

Participate in provision of the out of hours service (weekends and Bank Holidays) is expected along with participation in the provision of the on-call service (lone working).

Main duties of the job

To manage and be in technical charge of a section of the Bacteriology service. Required to check all aspects of the quality of teamwork, to detect problems and take appropriate remedial action where necessary. Manage daily staff rotas for work allocation and training for medical staff, clinical scientists, other Biomedical Scientists, new staff, students and support staff.

Manage the laboratory information service for own speciality on a daily basis allowing service users/clients access to accurate and updated patient test results.

As a specialised staff member, you will be required to train and demonstrate methodologies on complex analytical equipment to medical staff, clinical scientists, other BMS staff, new starters, students and HSSW’s. You will have great communication skills and leadership qualities to empower your team in a complex and busy department.

To ensure technical standards are maintained through internal and external QA schemes in accordance with ISO 15189:2022 standards for accreditation.

To support the delivery of a high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare service. All staff are expected to act as a role model to others in all aspects of their work and consistently demonstrate BFT CARE values of Caring, Ambitious, Respectful, and supportive and encourage an inclusive culture.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

For full information please see the Job Description and Personal Specification attached to this vacancy.

Severn Pathology Bacteriology Department is based at the Southmead Hospital Bristol and is a collaboration between Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and UKHSA. Providing the sole Bacteriology service for Bristol, Bath and Weston. We provide diagnostic and clinical services across four busy hospital sites, at Southmead Hospital, UHBW Bristol Royal Infirmary, UHBW Weston District Hospital and Royal United Hospital Bath, along with the local Integrated care boards (ICBs) and the Health Protection Team. We deliver high quality, efficient, ISO15189 accredited, pathology services across Bacteriology, Mycology, Virology, and the Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory.

To understand more about Pathology services at NBT, click here to watch our video.

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria

• State Registration with the HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist
• BSc in Biomedical Science degree or equivalent
• MSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent post graduate qualification/experience
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Desirable criteria

• Study on a management course or working towards a recognised management qualification
• IOSH Managing Safely certification

Work Experience

Essential criteria

• Strong working knowledge of lab procedures
• A high level of theoretical and practical microbiological knowledge
• Technically competent in receipt, preparation and processing of samples

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Good interpersonal skills
• Working knowledge of Health & Safety issues within a laboratory
• Knowledge of common IT programmes
• Keyboard skills and accurate data entry skills
• Able to plan day-to-day organisation of a section
• Able to organise less qualified staff
• Experience of staff training
• Good communication skills both verbal and written
• Good organisational skills
• Ability to work in a team

Desirable criteria

• Working knowledge of the laboratory computer system used
• Knowledge of some specialist tests at an expert level
• Able to initiate changes in procedures or policies to induce service development
• Presentation skills
• Auditor trained

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of