Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Swindon; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Swindon seeks a Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6) for a 12-month fixed-term maternity cover. The role involves Bacteriology and Virology work, with on-call responsibilities and weekend shift requirements.

The post requires HCPC registration, IBMS specialist diploma in Medical Microbiology, and an MSc in Medical Microbiology, plus relevant NHS lab experience. Salary £39,959-£48,117 per annum pro rata.

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science (IBMS approved) or equivalent and HCPC registration.
• IBMS Specialist Diploma in Medical Microbiology.
• MSc Medical Microbiology.
• Quality Management, Health & Safety, Parasitology, Mycology training.

Responsibilities

• Perform specialized tasks in the Bacteriology and Virology sections.
• Authorise specific result types.
• Oversee and supervise Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) and Assistant Practitioners (APs).
• Manage the use and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Participate in validation and verification projects.
• Take responsibility for a specific technical function within the laboratory.

Skills

Bacteriology

Virology

Laboratory skills

Education

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

HCPC registration

IBMS Specialist diploma in Medical Microbiology

MSc Medical Microbiology

Quality Management training

Health & Safety training

Parasitology training

Mycology training

Job description

Main area Biomedical Sciences Grade Band 6 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity Cover) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Including on call, weekends and bank holidays) Job ref 249-7754679-3

Employer Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Great Western Hospital Town Swindon Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 26/10/2026 23:59

Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Band 6

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a unique organisation, serving as the sole integrated provider in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire system. Our scope extends beyond boundaries as we oversee adult community services in Swindon and provide acute care from the Great Western Hospital.

Our 5,500 staff have 1.2m patient contacts a year, with 13,000 operations carried out in our Theatres, around 4,000 babies born, and our emergency attendances are now well over 100,000 per year. Those numbers only tell part of our story about what an exciting time it is to join Great Western Hospitals.

We are cultivating a culture that fosters our ambitions, prioritising equality, diversion, inclusion, wellbeing, and leadership. We aim to create an environment where every member of our team can truly thrive.

Job overview

12-month Fixed Term Contract - Maternity Cover

We are seeking an enthusiastic Specialist Biomedical Scientist with excellent interpersonal skills and a high degree of self-motivation to join our dynamic team. This role is integral to the laboratory, where you will provide specialist technical expertise in the Bacteriology and Virology sections.

Specialist Biomedical Scientists (BMS) play a crucial role in the laboratory team, responsible for diagnosing infections and disease processes. They leverage the latest scientific knowledge and methods, while also utilizing traditional techniques when necessary. Specialist BMS conduct and interpret laboratory tests providing essential data to clinical staff for accurate diagnoses and evaluating the effectiveness of treatments.

Main duties of the job

Technical Duties

• Perform specialized tasks in the Bacteriology and Virology sections.
• Authorise specific result types.
• Oversee and supervise Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) and Assistant Practitioners (APs).
• Manage the use and maintenance of laboratory equipment.

Quality and Project Management

• Participate in validation and verification projects.
• Take responsibility for a specific technical function within the laboratory.

Development and Support

• Stay updated with scientific advancements and managerial developments in the field.
• Support senior staff and the Laboratory Manager in providing an efficient, expert, and cost-effective laboratory service.
• Take on additional laboratory responsibilities with appropriate support and training.

Working Hours

• Routine hours are Monday to Friday, 08:45 to 17:15 (37.5 hours per week).
• Participation in a rotational schedule for weekends and Bank Holidays.
• Involvement in the on-call (out-of-hours) service provision is required.

Working for our organisation

We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group – a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people. We are creating a heath and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances, in discussion with the post holder. This role profile is intended to provide a broad outline of the main responsibilities only. The post holder will need to be flexible in developing the role with initial and on-going discussions with the designated manager.

Person specification

Education, Qualifications, Training

• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science (Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) approved) or equivalent, plus, further knowledge acquired through training and practical experience
• Current registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• IBMS Specialist diploma in Medical Microbiology
• MSc Medical Microbiology
• Quality Management training
• Health & Safety training
• Parasitology training
• Mycology training

Experience

• In-depth experience of working in all areas of a Medical Microbiology laboratory in an NHS laboratory, post HCPC registration
• Previous experience of working alone out of hours is essential
• Experience in automated and manual identification methods
• Quality Management experience
• Health & Safety Management experience
• Stock Management and stock control experience

Certificate of Sponsorship - Sponsorship can only be offered where the role meets the relevant eligibility criteria, including minimum salary requirements. Please note that not all roles within the organisation are eligible for sponsorship. Eligibility for this role includes:

• Current right to work in the UK, subject to verification

Meeting the Skilled Worker visa criteria, where applicable

From 4 April 2024, UK immigration policy changes increased the minimum salary levels required for Skilled Worker visas. Further information is available on the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Current employees should be aware that this position is advertised as a Great Western Hospitals position and appointment ends any TUPE protection.

Candidates are responsible for covering the cost of their own DBS check if required: £21.50 for a Standard DBS check, recoverable from the first pay, or £49.50 for an Enhanced DBS check, divided and recoverable over the initial two pay periods. Payment for DBS checks for bank posts must be settled prior to commencement. Apprentices are exempt from DBS payment.

We are committed to supporting our staff in achieving a healthy work-life balance through flexible work arrangements. Upon joining the Trust, you have the right to request flexible working, with an unlimited number of requests allowed.

The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer; all applicants who have a disability can opt to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme, which means that, providing they meet the minimum essential criteria for the post, they will be offered an interview. We are also proudly accredited as a Veteran Aware organisation and have signed The Armed Forces Covenant.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.