Specialist Biomedical Scientist

NHS; North Shields; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job description

Job summary

Applications are invited from Biomedical Scientists registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to join our Northumbria Healthcare Microbiology team.

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and motivated individual to work in our busy, UKAS accredited laboratory.

The post will be based at the North Tyneside General Hospital and there is a requirement to participate in our 24/7 service provision, which covers the full 24 hour period, Monday to Sunday, including all bank holidays.

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will carry out the role of a Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology and will rotate through all sections of the laboratory including bacteriology, serology, molecular, mycology and parasitology.

You will perform all designated duties in accordance with local standard operating procedures (SOPs), and perform and interpret routine and specialist biomedical investigations autonomously, following required training and competency assessment. You will provide high quality patient results efficiently, and within the given turnaround times under the supervision of senior staff. You will need to provide professional leadership to Trainee Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners, Medical Laboratory Assistants, and provide technical advice to clinicians as to the appropriateness of tests and timescales.

About us

We manage three major locality hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, plus a number of smaller community hospitals and clinics from Tynemouth to Berwick on Tweed, covering one of the largest geographical areas of any NHS trust in the country. Leading in innovation and quality - opening a state of the art Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England. Do you want to work in one of the best performing NHS organisations in England? Work in an organisation that supports its staff and focuses on staff experience as much as it does the experience of its patients? You can live and breathe in an area that has the cleanest air, cost effective living, great nightlife, some of the best schools with a wealth of history available on your doorstep. Sound too good to be true? Well it isn't, this is what you get when you work for Northumbria Healthcare, this is the Northumbria Way! Please read 'applicant guidance notes' before submitting your application.

Date posted

08 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

319-7062616GH

Job locations

North Tyneside General Hospital
Rake Lane
North Shields
NE29 8NH

Job description Job responsibilities

The post holder will perform scientific and technical duties as required, within the post-holder's training and competence.

Scientific / Technical

• Carry out all laboratory investigations and analyses, including reporting results, maintaining appropriate records and documentation.
• Assist with the production, maintenance and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Participate in the departments 24/7 service provision, as required.
• Undertake quality control procedures and examine quality control results to identify poor performance and initiate appropriate corrective and preventative action.
• Participate in the operation and routine maintenance of equipment. The laboratory has a number of diagnostic systems, including WASP, Vitek II XL, Vitek MS Prime, BD BacTec, Panther Plus and Fusion, GeneXpert, BioFire TORCH, VIDAS3, Cobas, DS2, Liaison XL, and Seegene.
• Ensure that your personal work activity is managed to make effective use of time and maintain a sufficient supply of laboratory consumables, reagents and equipment.
• Ensure the competent and efficient use of digital data management systems, including Clinisys Winpath and Q-pulse.
• Assist in the supervision, training and teaching of staff and contribute to the departments training plan.
• Maintain a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolio and undertake training, courses and other activities to satisfy HCPC requirements.
• Assist with the development, evaluation, verification and implementation of new methods and technologies.
• Ensure that safe working practices are followed in accordance with the departmental Health and Safety Policy and risk assessments.
• Be aware of and adhere to Trust policies, including those relating to sickness absence, health and safety, discipline, grievance, and performance.
• Ensure compliance with all mandatory requirements including patient confidentiality and the Data Protection Act.
• Work flexibly and undertake other duties compatible with your work grade as required.

GENERAL DUTIES

• To participate in the provision of a high quality Microbiology service that meets UKAS standards.
• Assist the department with continuous improvement including audit.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Accredited BSc (Hons) degree, in Biomedical Sciences or degree with top up modules accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science
• Certificate of Competence or equivalent
• HCPC State Registered Biomedical Scientist
• Specialist portfolio preferably in Microbiology or equivalent
• Must possess specialist Microbiology knowledge and previous experience post State Registration practical experience to postgraduate specialist diploma level in a microbiology laboratory performing diagnostic microbiology

Desirable

• Studying for MSc Biomedical Sciences (microbiology) or relevant equivalent

Experience Essential

• Previous practical experience in an NHS clinical laboratory
• Practical and theoretical knowledge of microbiology as a specialist subject.
• Evidence of CPD

Desirable

• Specialist areas of expertise in microbiology

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name: Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address:
North Tyneside General Hospital
Rake Lane
North Shields
NE29 8NH

Employer's website: https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)