Specialist Biomedical Scientist

NHS; North Shields; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider is seeking a Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join their Northumbria Healthcare Microbiology team. Candidates must be HCPC registered and have a strong background in microbiology. Responsibilities include performing laboratory investigations, maintaining SOPs, and supervising junior staff. This role requires a commitment to high-quality patient care and operates within a 24/7 service model. Competitive offers available based on qualifications.

Qualifications

• Must have experience in an NHS clinical laboratory.
• Must possess specialist microbiology knowledge.
• Should maintain a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Perform all designated duties in accordance with local SOPs.
• Manage and perform laboratory investigations and analyses.
• Assist in the training and teaching of staff.

Skills

Microbiology knowledge

Laboratory skills

Data management

Quality control

Education

Accredited BSc in Biomedical Sciences

HCPC State Registered Biomedical Scientist

Studying for MSc in Biomedical Sciences

Tools

Clinisys Winpath

Q-pulse

WASP

Vitek II XL

Job description

Specialist Biomedical Scientist

The closing date is 30 October 2025

Applications are invited from Biomedical Scientists registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to join our Northumbria Healthcare Microbiology team.

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and motivated individual to work in our busy, UKAS accredited laboratory.

The post will be based at the North Tyneside General Hospital and there is a requirement to participate in our 24/7 service provision, which covers the full 24 hour period, Monday to Sunday, including all bank holidays.

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received

Main duties of the job

The post holder will carry out the role of a Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology and will rotate through all sections of the laboratory including bacteriology, serology, molecular, mycology and parasitology.

You will perform all designated duties in accordance with local SOPs, and perform and interpret routine and specialist biomedical investigations autonomously, following required training and competency assessment. You will provide high quality patient results efficiently, and within the given turnaround times under the supervision of senior staff. You will need to provide professional leadership to Trainee Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners, Medical Laboratory Assistants, and provide technical advice to clinicians as to the appropriateness of tests and timescales.

About us

We manage three major locality hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, plus a number of smaller community hospitals and clinics from Tynemouth to Berwick on Tweed, in addition to our state‑of‑the‑art Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England. We also care for people in their homes and provide services from facilities in local communities such as health centres. We give people greater choice and control over their care to help them to live independently at home and avoid hospital admission where appropriate. High quality patient care is at the heart of everything we do and we strive to ensure every single patient and service user has an exceptional experience with us. We have one of the most extensive patient experience programmes of any trust in England.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will perform scientific and technical duties as required, within the post‑holders training and competence.

Scientific / Technical

• Carry out all laboratory investigations and analyses, including reporting results, maintaining appropriate records and documentation.
• Assist with the production, maintenance and implementation of SOPs.
• Participate in the departments 24/7 service provision, as required.
• Undertake quality control procedures and examine quality control results to identify poor performance and initiate appropriate corrective and preventative action.
• Participate in the operation and routine maintenance of equipment. The laboratory has a number of diagnostic systems, including WASP, Vitek II XL, Vitek MS Prime, BD BacTec, Panther Plus and Fusion, GeneXpert, BioFire TORCH, VIDAS3, Cobas, DS2, Liaison XL, and Seegene.
• Ensure that your personal work activity is managed to make effective use of time and maintain a sufficient supply of laboratory consumables, reagents and equipment.
• Ensure the competent and efficient use of digital data management systems, including Clinisys Winpath and Q-pulse.
• Assist in the supervision, training and teaching of staff and contribute to the departments training plan.
• Maintain a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolio and undertake training, courses and other activities to satisfy HCPC requirements.
• Assist with the development, evaluation, verification and implementation of new methods and technologies.
• Ensure that safe working practices are followed in accordance with the departmental Health and Safety Policy and risk assessments.
• Be aware of and adhere to Trusts policies, including those relating to sickness absence, health and safety, discipline, grievance and performance.
• Ensure compliance with all mandatory requirements including patient confidentiality and the Data Protection Act.
• Work flexibly and undertake other duties compatible with your work grade as required.

GENERAL DUTIES

• To participate in the provision of a high quality Microbiology service that meets UKAS standards.
• Assist the department with continuous improvement including audit.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Accredited BSc (Hons) degree, in Biomedical Sciences or degree with top up modules accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science
• Certificate of Competence or equivalent
• HCPC State Registered Biomedical Scientist
• Specialist portfolio preferably in Microbiology or equivalent
• Must possess specialist Microbiology knowledge and previous experience post State Registration practical experience to postgraduate specialist diploma level in a microbiology laboratory performing diagnostic microbiology
• Studying for MSc Biomedical Sciences (microbiology) or relevant equivalent

Experience

• Previous practical experience in an NHS clinical laboratory
• Practical and theoretical knowledge of microbiology as a specialist subject.
• Evidence of CPD
• Specialist areas of expertise in microbiology

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offences 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.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust