Specialist Biomedical Scientist- Microbiology

Synlab; Basildon; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing allowance

27 days annual leave+bank holidays

iPP Pension Scheme

MySYNLAB Benefits

Job summary

SYNLAB Essex is seeking a Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Microbiology) in Basildon, Essex. The role involves joining a 25+ strong team, rotating through Kiestra TLA, manual bacteriology, NAATs, urinalysis and serology to support two hospitals and the local GP community.

The position offers training, mentorship, and opportunities to advance through IBMS routes within Europe’s largest clinical diagnostics company. A 24/7 service model applies with varied shifts.

Qualifications

• GCSE level or equivalent education is required.
• Postgraduate diploma or equivalent specialist portfolio is expected.
• Progress towards higher degree or management qualification is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Perform and interpret routine and specialist biomedical investigations.
• Provide leadership to Trainee BMS, Associate Practitioners, and technicians.
• Advise clinicians on test appropriateness and turnaround times.
• Rotate through Automation Kiestra TLA, manual bacteriology, NAATs, urinalysis and serology.
• Support two general hospitals and the local GP community on a 24/7 basis.

Skills

Adaptability

Time management

Analytical skills

Education

GCSE level or equivalent

Postgraduate diploma / Specialist portfolio / BBTS

Tools

LIMS

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)

Job description

Job Title: Specialist Biomedical Scientist- Microbiology

Location: Basildon, Essex

Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 per annum depending on experience

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

We are expanding and are looking for an experienced Specialist Biomedical Scientist (BMS) who is ready to advance their career aspirations in a supportive and collaborative environment. At SYNLAB Essex, we believe in building a strong, collaborative team where individuals are encouraged to grow with us, not just work for us.

As a part of this team, you will play a critical role in delivering top-quality laboratory services. We operate a 'hub and spoke' model with non-urgent community samples being analysed at our off-site hub on the outskirts of Basildon and two acute laboratories providing essential services at the hospitals. With your exceptional skills and expertise, you will be an integral part of our team, providing essential support to our laboratory operations. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to advance your career and make a significant impact in the field of healthcare.

We offer ongoing training and mentorship to help you further develop your existing skill set and advance within our organisation (we happen to be the largest clinical diagnostics company in Europe!). We are proud to be the first lab in the UK to offer some of our BMS staff the opportunity to read bacterial cultures from home, using cutting-edge BD Kiestra Synapsys technology. This role is based at our Hub site in Essex.

Main Duties of the Job:

You will join our close-knit team of 25+ Biomedical Scientists (Bands 5-7), serving two general hospitals and the local GP community, and rotate through Kiestra TLA automation (MRSA and urogenital), manual bacteriology (CL3 and mycology), NAATs, urinalysis and serology.

We are UKAS accredited and an IBMS training laboratory, offering ongoing training and mentorship across Registration, Specialist Portfolio, Certificate of Achievement and MSc/HSD routes, as part of Europe's largest clinical diagnostics company. Working at the Hub will give you exposure to a broad routine and specialist repertoire.

This is a 24/7 service operating across a variety of shift patterns, all of which include a 1-hour unpaid lunch break:

• Routine Shift: 09:00 - 17:30
• Early Shift: 08:00 - 16:30
• Late Shift: 11:30 - 20:00
• Weekend Shifts (Saturday - Sunday): 09:00 - 17:30

We also operate an on‑call service Monday to Friday (20:00 - 08:00) and over the weekend starting from 17:30.

This role is based at our purpose‑built Hub laboratory at Bentalls, Basildon (SS14 3BY), Dobson House at Bentalls, Basildon (SS14 3BY) is easily accessible by car via the nearby A127 and A13 road networks also using public transport you can also reach the site via Basildon Station or by catching local bus routes.

Based off‑site in Basildon, Essex, our purpose‑built, state‑of‑the‑art hub laboratory undertakes consolidated, harmonised, routine testing as well as an increasing range of specialist laboratory work. This leaves the hospital‑based 'Essential Service Laboratories' - also run by SYNLAB - to focus on urgent clinical laboratory tests, which require a fast turnaround time.

Over 450 employees service a population of over 850'000 people locally, providing over 16 million tests annually.

You will be a fundamental part of our close‑knit Microbiology team, providing an efficient and effective service to two general hospitals and the local GP community.

In this role, you will:

• Perform and interpret routine and specialist biomedical investigations.
• Provide professional leadership to Trainee BMS, Associate Practitioners, Laboratory technicians, and MLAs.
• Offer technical advice to clinicians on the appropriateness of tests and timescales.

Rotate through all areas of Microbiology, including:

• Automation Laboratory - Kiestra TLA, MRSA, and Urogenital Sections
• Manual Bacteriology - CL3, Mycology, and Waste Management
• NAATs and urinalysis
• Serology

About you:

Qualifications - Essential

• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent
• Experience to post graduate diploma level e.g.: Specialist portfolio, BBTS or equivalent

Qualifications - Desirable

• Progress towards a higher degree or management qualification

Skills - Essential

• Ability to adapt efficiently to change
• Ability to effectively manage own time, able to prioritise work for self and others and able to plan activities within area of work
• Ability to analyse and technically interpret complex test results
• Good knowledge and experience of LIMS and computer applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Statistical Packages

Experience - Essential

• Relevant experience post HPC registration as a BMS with on-going specialist training.
• Previous working experience of Biomedical techniques and practices
• Scientific knowledge locally, regionally and Nationally

You’ll be entitled to:

• £1,500 per annum wellbeing allowance
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays increases after 5 years' service to 28 days plus bank holidays
• iPP Pension Scheme
• MySYNLAB Benefits: Gives you access to a great range of discounts on: travel bookings, high street vouchers, gift cards, days out, leisure activities and your day to day spending. There is something for everyone and thousands of ways to save on your employee benefits platform, whether you like to shop in-store or online.

Candidates with experience of; Biomedical Scientist, Biomedical Technician, Biochemist, Microbiology Specialist, HCPC Registered Specialist, Biomedical Laboratory Specialist, Microbiologist may also be considered for this role.