Specialist/Trainee Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology

Wirral University Teaching Hospital; Chester; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Biomedical Scientist to join their dynamic team. This role involves working in a state-of-the-art microbiology laboratory, where you'll rotate through various sections and engage in critical tasks such as specimen reception, bacteriology, and serology. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in microbiology and a commitment to ongoing professional development. This organization values its staff and provides a supportive environment for career progression, making it an excellent opportunity for those looking to advance in their field.

Qualifications

• HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist with Specialist Portfolio required.
• 3 years of specialist microbiology experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through laboratory sections and manage specimen reception.
• Perform bacteriology, serology, and microscopy tasks.

Skills

Bacteriology

Serology

Molecular Diagnostics

Microscopy

Organizational Skills

Education

Degree in Biomedical Sciences

IBMS Specialist Portfolio Assessment

Tools

Telepath LIMS

Job description

HoursFull time - 37.5 hours per week (24/7 Night, Late, Early and Weekend Shift working)Job ref408-25-257EmployerWirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation TrustEmployer typeNHSSiteChester and Wirral Microbiology ServiceTownBromboroughSalary£29,970 - £44,962 per annumSalary periodYearlyClosing31/03/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Band 6 or Band 5/Trainee

To discover why you should consider applying for a role at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, please watch our video and hear directly from our staff about what it’s truly like to work at WUTH and its surrounding areas:https://youtu.be/Z5oMaNXprn8

Job overview

Applications are invited from highly motivated and enthusiastic HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists with Specialist Portfolio or earlier equivalent, for a permanent Band 6 role with Chester & Wirral NHS Microbiology Service (CWMS).

Motivated pre-registration / trainee BMS are also welcomed to apply for this role with a view to progression to Specialist BMS, successful applicants who do not meet the criteria for Specialist BMS will be employed at Band 5 pay scale.

CWMS is the shared microbiology service for Countess of Chester Hospital and Wirral University Teaching Hospital. The laboratory is based off-site from the hospitals in Bromborough and is open 7 days a week 24/7.

CWMS performs bacteriology, mycology, serology and molecular diagnostics.

CWMS uses the “Telepath” LIMS and has a significant number of interfaced analysers.

After suitable training, you would be expected to participate in the 24/7.

The successful candidate will join our friendly team of experienced Biomedical Scientists and support staff rotating through all sections of our busy laboratory.

You will be encouraged and supported to participate in further education, training and Continuing Professional Development.

Main duties of the job

To work and rotate around sections of the laboratory.

Specimen reception: receipt and checking of samples against request forms, liaising with ward staff where there are doubts, assigning high risk samples to an appropriate containment area and dealing with leaking/damaged specimens.

Bacteriology: Selection of an appropriate media, incubation temperatures and atmospheres as indicated by specimen type and clinical information provided. Interpretation of culture results and selection of appropriate organism (bacterial, fungal or yeast) for identification and antimicrobial sensitivity testing, based on the interpretation of clinical information and application of specialist knowledge and experience of infectious diseases. Interpretation of findings from these results to produce a final report with an appropriate report comment. Perform extra/further investigations as indicated by culture findings or when requested by Microbiology medical staff.

Microscopy: The examination of clinical specimens using a range of microscopes, e.g. fluorescent, lights and inverted microscopes.

Serology: Perform routine serological procedures in the diagnosis of viral diseases, particularly Hepatitis B and HIV.

Working for our organisation

All new colleagues can expect to receive a warm and friendly Wirral welcome from the very first time they make contact with us. We are described as “competent and caring staff” by our patients.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is situated on The Wirral peninsula which has a stunning coastline and beautiful countryside surroundings, with great activities for its residents.

We are one of the largest and busiest acute Trusts in the North West of England, comprising of the Wirral’s only Emergency Department. We provide a high quality range of acute care services and employ over 6,000 staff, who serve a population of approximately 400,000 people across Wirral, Ellesmere Port, Neston, North Wales and the wider North West footprint.

We have approximately 855 beds trust-wide and our financial turnover is in excess of £337m.

The Wirral is easily accessible with excellent transport links including motorway, train, bus or ferry and within easy reach to the major cities of Liverpool, Chester and Manchester as well as neighbouring North Wales.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description for further information about the Specialist Biomedical Scientist position available at WUTH.

Person specification

Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training

Essential criteria

Degree or equivalent in Biomedical sciences or a qualification acceptable by the Health & Care Professions Council and 3 years Specialist microbiology experience

Able to satisfy registration requirements with the Health & Care Professions Council, plus, if registered prior to July 2008, have met registration requirements at the time

Completed IBMS Specialist Portfolio Assessment (Diploma)

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria

A good understanding of microbiological concepts in relation to patient care and environmental services

Demonstrates ability to work competently and unsupervised

Demonstrates technical expertise and experience in bacteriology, serology and molecular methods

Demonstrates good organisational skills in a pressurised work environment

Demonstrates ability to organise, prioritise workload and good time management skills

Desirable criteria

Proficient in the use of the laboratory computer systems

Personal Attributes

Essential criteria

Demonstrates ability to communicate and relate effectively, clearly and professionally at all levels

Adopt a courteous, approachable and helpful manner when dealing with customers, staff and the public

Able to work in a team

Respond to unexpected changes and adopt a flexible approach

Demonstrate adaptable and flexible approach in undertaking duties required of the post

Ability and willingness to undergo further training and continual professional development

Comply with Trust Health & Safety Policy and Procedures

Maintain confidentiality in line with Trust’s Policies

Desirable criteria

Ability to motivate and lead staff, evidence of a management or supervisory role

Experience of laboratory audit procedure to comply with quality standards

Apprenticeship Eligibility Criteria

Should this vacancy be recruited as an apprenticeship, the following criteria will apply:

UK nationals or other persons with a right of abode have an eligible residency status if they have been ordinarily resident in the UK or the British Overseas Territories, or the Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of the apprenticeship.

You are required to apply for this role via apps.trac.jobs and this is where you will be able to track the progress of your application. This will ensure we deal with your application quickly and efficiently.

Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application throughout the process.

By applying for this post you are agreeing to Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust viewing and managing the information contained in the application.

Please note; that if you are offered a position, your personal details will automatically be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system (ESR).

The Trust reserves the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received a minimum amount of applications from which to make a shortlist. To prevent this happening please complete and submit your application without delay.

Trust policy requires that the cost of submitting & processing a DBS application is met by the successful applicant/s. DBS costs are recovered via salary deduction following starting in post.

If the post you are applying for requires a DBS - Inline with Trust policy the cost of submitting and processing a DBS for successful applications would be met by the individual themselves. The amount would vary depending on the level required: Standard Disclosure £21.50+£6.50 or Enhanced Disclosure £49.50+£6.50 (please be aware the additional sum is an administration fee and may increase due to inflation). This will be deducted from your salary, in manageable monthly instalments for up to 3 months following commencement of employment.

The Trust would encourage all post holders who require a DBS for their role to registered with the DBS Update Service. You can find out more information and guidance on how to do this at https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.

The Department of Health and Social Care has released a new publication to support overseas candidates looking to work in health and care in the UK.

The new guidance provides information on the recruitment process that candidates should expect when applying for work in the UK. Please follow the below link:

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all unborn babies, children and adults and is signed up to both the Wirral Safeguarding Childrens Partnership and the Wirral Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board associated policies and procedures. All Trust staff must be familiar with, and adhere to these procedures. It is the post holders responsibility to attended the Trusts mandatory training Protecting Vulnerable People training, and to follow the relevant Trusts polices and practice guidance.