Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist Microbiology

NHS; Chichester; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Chichester is seeking a Band 7 Senior specialist Biomedical Scientist for its Microbiology Department. The role involves managing laboratory sections, ensuring high-quality diagnostics, and working independently to maintain a full 24-hour service. Applicants must have a postgraduate qualification and a minimum of 2 years' experience in NHS microbiology laboratories. Competitive salary between £47,810 and £54,710 annually.

Qualifications

• Post registration experience in NHS microbiology laboratory (2+ years) required.
• Experience of UKAS assessments and QMS is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage sections of the Microbiology laboratory under supervision.
• Provide high quality diagnostic service and results.
• Work independently to support a 24-hour service.
• Participate in out-of-hours rota.

Skills

Specialist knowledge in microbiology

Use of computer software

Dexterity and hand-eye coordination

Supporting clinical trials

Education

Postgraduate qualification (e.g., MSc / FIBMS)

Job description

Job summary

The Microbiology Department is looking for a Band 7 Senior specialist Biomedical Scientist. The successful candidate will be working alongside Band 5 and 6 Biomedical Scientists, Band 4 Associate Practitioners and Band 3 and Band 2 Medical laboratory Assistants based at St Richards Hospital, Chichester and reporting to the Microbiology Lead / Deputy Head / Head Biomedical Scientist.

Main duties of the job

• Provide day‑to‑day management of allocated sections within the Microbiology laboratory under the direction of the Lead / Deputy Head / Head BMS.
• Practice as a Senior Specialist HCPC Registered BMS and provide a high quality service at all times.
• Support the provision of a specialised, diagnostic service, within Microbiology, contributing to the clinical care of the patient, to enable diagnosis and subsequent monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment given.
• Apply professional judgement and utilise specialist skills and detailed scientific knowledge to provide a high quality and timely results service.
• Work independently in all areas of the microbiology laboratory and enable a full 24‑hour pathology service to be provided to the Trust.
• Participate in the Saturday and Bank Holiday rota and, if required by the Department, the laboratory "out‑of‑hours" rota.

About us

Working for our organisation – UHSussex values diversity, aims to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere and holds an Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. We support new members with a buddy and pride ourselves as a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Candidate Pack

Details – Date posted: 10 November 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time

Reference number: 279-7584407‑NOV24

Job locations

St. Richard's Hospital, Chichester

Spitalfield Lane

CHICHESTER

PO19 6SE

Job description / responsibilities

• This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role‑specific criteria.
• Participate in the provision of a specialised diagnostic Microbiology service autonomously, contributing to the clinical care of the patient, to enable diagnosis and subsequent monitoring of the effectiveness of the treatment given.
• Apply professional judgement and utilise specialist skills and detailed scientific knowledge to provide a high quality and timely results service, performing routine procedures and investigations as required.
• Ensure day‑day running of the department in liaison with Lead / Deputy Head / Head Biomedical scientists.
• Work independently as an autonomous practitioner.
• See attached Job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Essential: Postgraduate qualification e.g. MSc / FIBMS
• Desirable: Additional qualifications e.g. quality, H & S, Leadership, IT

Experience

• Essential: Post registration experience in NHS microbiology laboratory (2+ years)
• Desirable: Post registration experience in NHS microbiology laboratory (5+ years); Experience of UKAS assessments and QMS

Skills

• Essential: Up‑to‑date and in‑depth highly specialist knowledge of a sub‑specialist area within primary discipline.
• Regularly use computer software to produce reports, spreadsheets and presentations including complex scientific data.
• Dexterity, high levels of hand‑eye coordination, fine motor skills and keyboard accuracy.
• Experience of supporting clinical trials led by other departments e.g. GUM.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Essential: Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

St. Richard's Hospital, Chichester

Spitalfield Lane

CHICHESTER

PO19 6SE

Employer's website: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)