Job summary
- Main area
- Microbiology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 5/6 depending on qualifications and experience
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (Secondment opportunity also available)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Department moving to 24/7 shift patterns. Current working patterns involve weekends, late and on call shifts)
- Job ref
- 418-BIO48831-CW
- Employer
- Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Bedford Hospital
- Town
- Bedford
- Salary
- per annum
- Closing
- 28/09/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology (fixed term maternity cover)
NHS AfC: Band 5/6 depending on qualifications and experience
Job overview
We are seeking an experienced Biomedical Scientist to join the Microbiology Department at Bedford Hospital on a fixed-term basis to cover maternity leave.
The laboratory is equipped with a wide range of modern microbiology and diagnostic technologies, including bioMérieux BacT/ALERT VIRTUO, Beckman Coulter MicroScan, bioMérieux VIDAS, BioFire TORCH, Roche cobas 6800, Cepheid GeneXpert, BD MAX, Bruker MALDI-TOF, DS2 and BD MGIT.
The laboratory provides a comprehensive range of microbiological investigations to Bedford Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, and surrounding GP practices. The department is UKAS accredited to ISO 15189:2022 and is an IBMS-approved training laboratory, supporting the education and development of biomedical science staff.
As a member of the Microbiology Team, you will contribute to the delivery of a high-quality, efficient and patient-focused microbiology service. You will perform a range of microbiological analyses and investigations, providing accurate and timely results to support the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of patients across the Trust.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as a Biomedical Scientist, performing a range of microbiological techniques and investigations to support the accurate and timely diagnosis of infectious diseases.
Following completion of the required training and competency assessments, the post holder will be expected to participate in the department’s shift working arrangements, which will include working weekends and bank holidays, as well as participating in the on-call service where required.
The department is progressing towards a 24-hour, 7-day microbiology service, and the post holder will be expected to work flexibly as part of this developing 24/7 service provision.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this vacancy and should be reviewed for full details of the role, duties and responsibilities.
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To work as a HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist (BMS), contributing to the safe, effective and efficient delivery of the department’s diagnostic services.
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To support the Specialist Biomedical Scientists and Senior Biomedical Scientists in the implementation and delivery of a cohesive, high-quality service, working in conjunction with the Clinical Lead for the department.
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To support the implementation of the department’s Quality Policy and agreed quality objectives, ensuring that appropriate quality standards are maintained.
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To contribute to the implementation and maintenance of UKAS standards and ISO 15189 compliance, utilising the established Pathology Quality Management System and participating in relevant quality activities and audits.
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To assist with the implementation of action plans required to address non-conformities identified through internal and external audits, complaints or other quality processes, and to support the completion of identified corrective and preventive actions.
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To work in accordance with the department’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), accessing and following current controlled documents through the Q-Pulse Document Management System.
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Where appropriately assigned, to assist with the delivery of staff training and competency assessment in conjunction with the departmental Senior Biomedical Scientist and Training Officer. This will include providing one-to-one training, supporting competency assessments in accordance with ISO 15189, completing relevant training and competency documentation, and assisting with the collection and maintenance of appropriate evidence.
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To comply with all Trust, Pathology and departmental policies, procedures and protocols relevant to the role, ensuring that professional, quality, health and safety and regulatory requirements are consistently maintained.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Good knowledge of Microbiology (Bacteriology and Virology)
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of Serological and Molecular methods
- Specialised knowledge of Microbiology
- Knowledge of quality systems and processes such as audit
Experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable experience in Pathology Laboratory Environment
- Experience of working in Microbiology (Bacteriology/Serology/Molecular)
Desirable criteria
- Experience working at a specialist level within Microbiology
- Experience using LIMS (Winpath)
- Experience in use of quality systems and processes
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
- HCPC State registration
Desirable criteria
- Specialist portfolio in Medical Microbiology
- Specialist portfolio in Virology
Skills
Essential criteria
- Excellent inter-personal skills
- Ability to utilise evaluation tools
- Standard keyboard skills
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, at all levels
Desirable criteria
- Flexible in approach and working relationships
Other
Essential criteria
- Ability to tolerate frequent exposure to highly unpleasant substances and infectious substances
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Deborah Karim
- Job title
- Microbiology Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01234 795913
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