Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology

Salisbury; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

On site facilities

Job summary

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology for a 12‑month contract at Salisbury District Hospital. You will work within a Pathology team, supporting day‑to‑day operations and helping to develop the laboratory's diagnostic service.

The role requires HCPC registration and IBMS Specialist Diploma in Microbiology, with rotation through the lab, training provided, and participation in extended hours, weekends, and on‑call rotas.

Qualifications

• HCPC registered and IBMS Specialist Diploma in Microbiology.
• Evidence of CPD in an NHS environment or equivalent.
• Two years post-registration experience in diagnostic microbiology.

Responsibilities

• Interpret pathogenic results and determine clinical significance.
• Perform manual, semi-automated and automated lab investigations.
• Maintain quality systems and investigate QC issues.
• Supervise junior staff and trainees.
• Participate in 24/7 on-call rotas and weekend duties.

Skills

Adv Microbiology techniques

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Education

BSc Hons Biomedical Sciences

HCPC registration

IBMS Specialist Diploma in Microbiology

CPD in NHS environment

MSC in related discipline

QA experience

Job description

Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology

6

Main area Microbiology Grade 6 Contract 12 months (Fixed Term) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (37.5 hours per week including weekend, bank holiday and on-call working) Job ref 269-SFT10017

Site Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust Town Salisbury Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum pro rata if part time Salary period Yearly Closing 21/10/2026 23:59

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used, then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced, well motivated and suitably qualified Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology to work at Salisbury District Hospital for a 12 month contract to cover maternity leave. Working as part of a team you will contribute to the provision and further development of a high quality diagnostic service. You will support the Senior Biomedical Scientists responsible for the day to day organisation of the laboratory. You should be highly motivated, a good communicator and enjoy working as part of a Pathology wide team.

Rotation throughout the laboratory will be expected and training will be provided. The laboratory has core hours of 09:00 - 17:30, but provides 24/7 cover via extended hours and an on-call service. Once successful training is complete, the successful candidates will be expected to participate fully in extended hours and weekends, Bank holiday and on-call rotas.

Applicants must be HCPC registered and have a IBMS Specialist Portfolio.

If you are applying for a role with a secondment opportunity, you must speak with your current line manager about your application prior to making it. You must discuss the department’s ability to support you on this secondment and that the current service of your department isn’t effected

Main duties of the job

• Uses interpretative skills to determine the pathogenic and clinical significance of the results of laboratory tests including:
  • Preparing, examining and reporting on microscopic examination of specimens.
  • Deciding on appropriate tests and procedures to identify pathogenic organisms.
  • Performing and interpreting molecular diagnostic tests.
  • Referring results for clinical interpretation or opinion.
• Performs manual, semi-automated and fully automated laboratory investigations.
• Takes corrective action when quality control or assurance procedures indicate loss of performance of the laboratory instruments or methods.
• Ensures first line trouble shooting of complex analytical equipment or methods.
• Performs work strictly according to current Standard Operating Procedures.
• Safely handle blood, urine, faeces, organs, other body tissue, and hazardous materials.
• Participates in the introduction of new equipment or methods.
• Supervises the work and monitor performance of Medical Laboratory Assistants, Associate Practitioners and trainees/students.
• Participates in the maintenance and the further development of the quality system.

Please see attached Job description and person specification for full details of roles and responsibilities.

Working for our organisation

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust (SFT) is part of the Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) Hospitals Group, alongside Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust. Together, we are committed to delivering outstanding, sustainable healthcare through collaboration, innovation and excellent patient care.

With a history spanning more than 250 years, SFT combines a proud heritage with a forward-looking approach to healthcare. We employ more than 4,000 staff, provide around 470 beds and deliver acute, specialist and regional services across Wiltshire and beyond.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace where colleagues feel valued, developed and empowered to reach their potential. Flexible working helps colleagues balance work and personal commitments while meeting the needs of patients.

We offer NHS benefits including the NHS Pension Scheme, generous annual leave, staff discounts and onsite facilities.

Salisbury offers an exceptional quality of life, combining a historic city with beautiful countryside, access to the south coast and excellent transport links. Find out more at Experience Salisbury.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job description and person specification for full details of roles and responsibilities

Person specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

• BSc Hons Biomedical Sciences or equivalent.
• Registration with HCPC
• IBMS Specialist Diploma in Microbiology
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development in an NHS environment or equivalent
• MSC in related discipline
• Experience of internal and external QA.

Experience

• Two years post registration experience in an HCPC approved diagnostic microbiology laboratory
• Knowledge of laboratory information and management computer system
• Knowledge of safety
• Ability to use, control and maintain analytical equipment
• Ability to train/support less qualified/experienced staff
• Experience of internal and external QA.

Knowledge and skills

• Advanced Microbiology techniques
• Ability to work alone or in a team
• Good interpersonal skills

Other Job related requirements

• Able to work Saturday/Sundays/Public holidays

We offer excellent benefits that help make SDH a great place to work. Take a look at our Employee Value Proposition (EVP) for more detailed information https://www.salisbury.nhs.uk/media/2lfatov2/employee-value-proposition-document-v12-final.pdf

These include but aren't limited to:-

• Holiday starting at 27 days plus Bank Holidays rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years for Agenda for Change staff
• Holiday entitlement for Medical and Dental staff starts at 27 days for Junior/Senior Clinical Fellows, Specialty Doctors and rises to 32 days after 5 years. Consultant entitlement starts at 32 days and rises to 34 days after 7 year.
• Access to a career average revalued earnings pension scheme
• Life assurance if a member of the pension scheme
• An extensive Health and Wellbeing offer to help you deal with life's challenges
• Exclusive deals and discounts websites saving you money on everyday purchases, treats for the family, eating out and utility bills for home
• Cycle to work scheme
• Uniform provided (where required)
• 40% bus discount exclusive to SFT employees (period tickets only)
• On site Day Nursery and Holiday Play scheme
• On site health and fitness club
• On site car parking (fees and restrictions apply)
• Opportunities to get on - take advantage of our ongoing learning opportunities and training, to help you achieve the job and career you want.

Please note - Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship (or will need sponsorship at the end of a current visa eg those with graduate visa's) should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications. We will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

We continue to encourage and support our staff to participate in the seasonal respiratory vaccination programme in order to protect themselves, colleagues and their patients.

GETTING TO WORK

We offer parking on site at Salisbury District Hospital, a daily charge applies. We encourage our staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible, and our Trust is well connected through the bus services to the city centre and other areas.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUALITY

We are committed to making Salisbury an inclusive and welcoming place for every single staff member, regardless of who they are and where they come from. Equality sits at the heart of everything we do, and we ensure that all employees have equal opportunity to develop, to apply for promotions and to work flexibly.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for staff to ensure this happens. We also closely monitor recruitment activity, training, development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, martial status and age.

OTHER INFORMATION

If this job requires you to have DBS check to enable you to properly fulfil the requirements of the job, on appointment, you will be required to replay the cost of obtaining a DBS check and this amount will be reclaimed in instalments from your salary. Many staff use the DBS update service at a cost of £16 per annum but you need to sign up for this via their website.

Please read the job description and person specification carefully and ensure that your application reflects the knowledge, skills and experience required.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Find us on social media, we’re on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn - search for SDHRecruitment or Salisbury District Hospital.

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.