Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology

NHS; Barrow-in-Furness; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Barrow-in-Furness is seeking a Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join their Microbiology department. The successful candidate will participate in a team ensuring high-quality Microbiology services and support trainee Biomedical Scientists. This permanent position offers a salary between £38,682 and £46,580 per year, pro rata, with opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Must have HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
• Minimum qualifications include a Biomedical sciences (Honours) degree.
• Experience of using Molecular Technologies is essential.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a team providing a high-quality Microbiology service.
• Support trainee Biomedical Scientists and local university placements.
• Commit to continuous development and quality improvement in the laboratory.

Skills

Ability to act as a lone worker

Highly developed technical/scientific skills

Experience of using Molecular Technologies

Ability to draft/construct Standard operating procedures

Education

Biomedical sciences (Honours) degree or equivalent qualification

HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist

FIBMS/MSc or equivalent

Job description

The closing date is 01 December 2025

A Permanent Band 6 position has arisen in the Microbiology Department at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust for a Specialist Biomedical Scientist based in the Microbiology department at Furness General Hospital.

One of the two Microbiology laboratories operated by Morecambe Bay Hospitals; the department is fully computerised (TECHNIDATA) and holds UKAS ISO 15189 (UK) LTD accreditation. All sub specialties are available within the laboratory with sample requests in the region of 250,000 samples per annum.

This is a challenging opportunity to participate in a team of Advanced Biomedical Scientists, Specialist Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Healthcare Science Assistants providing a high quality, efficient Microbiology service within this accredited Microbiology laboratory.

On 1st February 2026, Pathology services for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust will come together to form the Lancashire and South Cumbria Single Pathology Service.

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be the Lead Provider of the service and the employer of colleagues working within the service, across sites.

If you are successful in your application, and commence work prior to 1st February 2026, your employment will transfer to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on 1st February 2026 under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, 2006. There will be no impact for your job role, terms and conditions of employment or location of work.

If you are successful in your application, and commence work after 1st February 2026, you will be employed by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Main duties of the job

The Microbiology laboratories across the Trust work closely together utilising common analytical platforms and IT systems and the department is committed to continuous development and quality improvement. The department is also dedicated to developing the next generation of Biomedical Scientists; supporting several trainee Biomedical Scientists within Microbiology and further developing Registered and Specialist Biomedical Scientists to advance their careers, education, knowledge and skills. In addition, the UHMBT Pathology service supports local universities offering placements to undergraduate students. You will be an enthusiastic, self-motivated and an experienced HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist, trained in Microbiology, to join the professional team in our busy, friendly laboratory.

About us

UHMB operates from three main hospital sites - Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community health care premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre.

FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services.

WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.

All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies, day case and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.

Job responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay visiting our website https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

• Biomedical sciences (Honours) degree or equivalent qualification
• HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist
• FIBMS/MSc or equivalent

Experience

• Ability to act as a lone worker
• Evidence of highly developed technical/scientific skills
• Ability to evaluate new methods/technologies
• Evidence of updating knowledge/CPD
• Experience of using Molecular Technologies

Skills, ability and knowledge

• MLA/BMS supervision/training
• H&S training
• MLA/BMS supervision/training
• Experience of external and internal quality assurance schemes
• Awareness of Quality management systems
• Awareness of audit procedures
• Ability to draft/construct Standard operating procedures

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.

£38,682 to £46,580 a year, pro rata