Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology | East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Ipswich is seeking a Specialist Biomedical Scientist to lead a section of the microbiology laboratory. The ideal candidate will have a Specialist Portfolio in Microbiology and experience in a similar role. Responsibilities include processing investigations, providing specialist advice to clinicians, and mentoring junior staff. This position offers a generous pension scheme, flexible working options, and a strong commitment to professional development.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

27 days annual leave

Access to NHS discounts

Qualifications

• Completed Specialist Portfolio in Microbiology or equivalent required.
• Experience leading a section of a laboratory is essential.
• Ability to train and mentor junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Process specialist investigations in the department.
• Provide specialist advice to clinicians regarding tests.
• Act as a mentor for junior scientific staff.

Skills

Specialist skills in microbiology

Problem-solving skills

Flexibility

Education

Specialist Portfolio in Microbiology or equivalent

Job description

Overview

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust have an exciting opportunity to apply for the role of a Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology at Ipswich Hospital. You will need a completed Specialist Portfolio in Microbiology or equivalent. We will consider at least 80% completed for a Band 5 developmental post.

As an experienced, flexible and knowledgeable Biomedical Scientist with specialist skills in microbiology you will be required to lead a section of the laboratory. You will delegate tasks and use your problem solving skills to assist in the smooth running of the laboratory.

Our vision is to deliver innovations, high-performing pathology services that is focussed on our customers and delivers high quality and fully compliant services. Our service is clinically led and designed to achieve the benefits of scale that can be achieved by working together, while remaining close enough to our customers to meet their needs and support the excellent clinical care provided by our hospitals.

We are committed to attracting and retaining the best pathology staff and if you want to work with us to develop your own career and help us achieve our vision then we would like to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Process specialist investigations in department.
• Provide specialist advice to clinicians as to appropriateness of tests and timescales.
• Provide specialist service e.g. training, problem solving for specialist requirement.
• Work independently and lead on specialist area as directed by Lead BMS.
• Act as mentor for more junior scientific and support staff.
• Work flexibly in reflection of service needs this may include an extended working day and/or participation in delivery of a 24 hour, 7 days per week service.
• Supervise and/or train less experienced staff in own area of work.
• Maintain and promote professional image of the pathology department.
• Where required, to lead and supervise a section of the laboratory.

About ESNEFT

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes.

We are the largest NHS organisation in East Anglia, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Benefits and Development

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offers a variety of services. Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

This advert closes on Monday 13 Oct 2025