Specialist Biomedical Scientist Microbiology

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a proactive, HCPC-registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join the Microbiology Department. The post involves 37.5 hours per week over 7 days, with out-of-hours and on-call duties, and requires an IBMS specialist portfolio in microbiology.

The department processes ~690,000 specimens annually and is UKAS accredited. Applicants will contribute to a modern lab environment equipped with MALDI-TOF, Vitek, Virtuo, GeneXpert and other analysers,

Qualifications

• HCPC registration as Biomedical Scientist is required.
• IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Microbiology is required or requested.
• NHS microbiology experience with microbiology disciplines (Mycology, Parasitology) is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise work in the designated microbiology section.
• Perform pre-analytical specimen handling and data entry accurately.
• Analyse potentially infectious samples using specialised procedures and automated systems.
• Maintain and troubleshoot automated analysers; liaise with service engineers as needed.
• Participate in on-call rota and out-of-hours service with appropriate escalation.

Skills

IBMS Microbiology Portfolio

On-call rota experience

Team supervision

Education

HCPC Registration as Biomedical Scientist

IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Microbiology

Job description

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Specialist Biomedical Scientist Microbiology

The closing date is 12 November 2026

Applications areinvited from proactive, motivated,enthusiastic, HCPC Registered Specialist Biomedical Scientists to join theMicrobiology Department, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Candidates for the specialist role are required to hold an IBMS specialist portfolio in microbiology.

The post holders wouldbe working 37.5 hours/week over 7 days, out of hours and on-call. Participation in the discipline specific on-call service will be required. Rostered Late shifts (12:00 20:00), Saturdays, Sundays and Bank holidays (08:00- 16:00) rota asrequired.

The Department provides Microbiology services (including Serology and Molecular) to the population of Worcestershire.

The Microbiology Department receivesapproximately 690,000 specimens per year. The department currently uses theClinsys Winpath computer LIMS system and iPassport QMS.

This is a modernwell equipped laboratory, with arange of automation including the Biomerieux MALDI-TOF, Vitek, and Virtuo Bloodculture analysers, the Sedimax Urine analyser, Mast Urisystem, the VIDAS3, COBAS 6800 and Cepheid GeneXpert system.

The Department has UKAS accreditation. It isapproved by the IBMS as a training laboratory. The Department has a proventrack record in training and is committed to further education and personaldevelopment of staff through CPD and post-registration training

Main duties of the job

Amongst others duties will include ;

Tobe responsible for the work carried out in the designated section, supervisingBiomedical Scientists, associate practitioners and MLA staff, ensuring work iscompleted in line with service requirements

Toperform pre-analytical preparation of specimens including matching of specimensand data entry of patient and specimen information into the Laboratory ITsystem with accuracy.

Analyse potentially infectious samples using a range of highly specialised laboratoryprocedures, by either manual or automated techniques, to produce results of aquality consistent with excellent patient care. Undertakes these duties in allareas of the Department.

Carriesout troubleshooting and preventative maintenance on highly complex automatedsystems. Ensures appropriate records are kept and liaises with senior staff andservice engineers where appropriate.

Tohandle potentially highly infectious material and known highly infectiousmaterial, containing Hazard Group 2 & 3 pathogens, in order to performsubjective interpretation of diagnostic investigations and be responsible forthe validity of own results.

for further information please see Job description.

Previous applicants need not apply.

About us

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a largeacute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acuteservices to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to alarger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services fromthree sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester

Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and ourcaring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centredcare. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people towork with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin oureveryday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Being open and honest

Ensuring people feel cared for

Showing respect to everyone

We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.

We are proud to have achieved Timewiseaccreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible workingwithin our organisation as a flex positive employer.

DBS Checks and Costs

Any applicants who are offered posts requiring aDBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check(at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in SupportingInformation section for more details on DBS checks and costs.

Job responsibilities

Key Duties:

Tobe responsible for the work carried out in the designated section, supervisingBiomedical Scientists, associate practitioners and MLA staff, ensuring work iscompleted in line with service requirements

Toperform pre-analytical preparation of specimens including matching of specimensand data entry of patient and specimen information into the Laboratory ITsystem with accuracy.

Analysespotentially infectious samples using a range of highly specialised laboratoryprocedures, by either manual or automated techniques, to produce results of aquality consistent with excellent patient care. Undertakes these duties in allareas of the Department.

Carriesout troubleshooting and preventative maintenance on highly complex automatedsystems. Ensures appropriate records are kept and liaises with senior staff andservice engineers where appropriate.

Tohandle potentially highly infectious material and known highly infectiousmaterial, containing Hazard Group 2 & 3 pathogens, in order to performsubjective interpretation of diagnostic investigations and be responsible forthe validity of own results.

Completes the work process by theverification and validation of results and report generation. This involves theinterpretation of clinical data and requires in-depth theoretical knowledge.

Is able to exercise individual skillsthrough the observation and interpretation of clinical material or data.

Recommends additional tests whereappropriate to assist the requesting clinician in the diagnostic process.

Responsible for ensuring efficient useand maintenance of resources, is aware of stock levels and rotation, storageconditions, batch numbers and expiry dates, thus ensuring the viability of thereagents used. Communicating anyordering requirements to the associate practitioner team and reagent issues toSenior BMS and Quality Manager.

Be able to exercise own initiative and work in conjunction with other staff members to ensure that the workload isprocessed in a timely and efficient manner.

Demonstrates proficiency in theassessment, planning and prioritisation of tasks.

Is fully conversant with departmentalpolicies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), ensuring that personalperformance complies with ISO 15189 and other professional standards.

Practices in accordance with theprofessional, ethical and legal codes of the Health Care Professions Counciland the Trusts protocols and guidelines.

To frequently offer specialist technicaladvice to Medical staff and other service users on validity of resultsincluding reference ranges, appropriate specimens / sampling and turnaroundtimes.

Communicates effectively with otherstaff groups, both internal and external. To include healthcare professionals,patients and their representatives, external agencies, commercial suppliers,service engineers and visitors to the laboratory.

Provides and receives complex scientificand clinical information to and from colleagues and service users. Is aware ofbarriers to understanding and is able to present information accordingly.

Demonstrates specialist skill andprofessional knowledge acquired through post Registration, Specialist Portfolio(or equivalent) academic and scientific development through work performed atbench level.

Provides and receives sensitiveinformation to and from patients and their representatives where empathic andre-assurance skills are required. May include notification of adverse events.

Displays and maintains an appropriatelevel of IT skills.

Works to, and ensures that performancetargets and sample turnaround timesaremet by continually assessing quality and priority of work.

As a HCPC registered BiomedicalScientist, participate in the Microbiology on call rota, processing samplesaccording to the SOP.

Demonstrates continuing ability to workindividually and unsupervised to a level required in the provision of an out ofhours service for lone working on shift or on call.

To be able to work alone as part of theon call rota, with 24/7 off site clinical and technical support when required.To be aware of escalation procedures and processes to follow when required.

To participate in the Quality ManagementSystem in accordance with accreditation bodies. This includes:

Conductvertical, horizontal and examination audits in accordance with the DepartmentAudit Programme.

Completesnon-conformance record forms when required, and submits to the Senior BMS and /or Quality Manager

Knowhow to proceed in the event of a technical / analytical non-conformance andwhen to inform Senior BMS and / orQuality Lead and Quality Manager & Laboratory Manager

Complieswith the requirements of internal and external/national quality assuranceschemes along with internal requirements for audits and competence assessmentto national standards.

Understandingand involvement in departmental risk assessments.

Contributeto the revision and development of Standard Operating Procedures.

Assists in improving and developingdepartmental quality by contributing ideas as appropriate and participating inthe change management process, in conjunction with senior staff.

Has awareness of the requirements ofClinical Governance, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) andlocal Health and Safety Policies, reporting problems, errors or breaches viathe appropriate mechanisms. (Ipassport, Datix,RIDDOR).

Attends departmental and directoratestaff meetings as appropriate.

To participate in induction, trainingand supervision of AP, MLA, Trainee BMS, Band 5 BMSs and other staff andvisitors in all relevant aspects of laboratory work including Health &Safety as directed by the Laboratory Manager

To participate in the DepartmentalCompetency Assessment schemes for Trainee BMS, Band 5 BMS, AP and MLA staff incollaboration with the Laboratory Manager and Senior BMS / Training Officer.

To maintain good working relations withall members of staff and to promote effective team working taking action whenown or others behaviour undermines equality and diversity.

To participate in Mandatory Training andPersonal Development System as required, and maintain continued professionaldevelopment.

To participate in Clinical Trials /Research and Development as directed by a Consultant Microbiologist.

To be able to present scientific,technical data and audit data at staff meetings using appropriate communicationtools.

To carry out any other duties deemednecessary to maintain a Microbiology Service.

Thisjob description will be subject to annual review and may be amended asnecessary following consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Experience

• Demonstrate post HCPC registration Laboratory experience
• Specialist knowledge in an NHS microbiology Laboratory.
• Participates in CPD maintaining up to date knowledge in microbiology.
• Understands good laboratory practice and laboratory Health and Safety.
• Has participated in out of hours and on on-call
• Experience in Mycology
• Experience in Parasitology
• Good communication skills within the team and users of the department
• Can carry out troubleshooting on equipment or procedures.

Qualifications

• Registration with HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist

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.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust