Job summary
- Main area
- Microbiology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent: Commitment to on call, extended working day and weekend working
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Commitment to on call, extended working day and weekend working)
- Job ref
- 262-A-25-7228304
- Employer
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Cumberland Infirmary
- Town
- Carlisle
- Salary
- £37,338 - £44,962 pa pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 24/06/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Specialist Biomedical Scientist
NHS AfC: Band 6
Job overview
Band 6 Specialist Biomedical Scientist, 37.5 hours per week, full time
An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, professional, reliable and self-motivated HCPC registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology. Applications are invited from experienced HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientists for the above post. Consideration will be given to applicants who are HCPC registered but lack relevant laboratory experience equivalent to a Specialist Biomedical Scientist and are willing to undertake the IBMS Specialist Diploma in medical microbiology. These candidates, if successful, will be required to complete their Specialist Portfolio in post prior to progression to Band 6. During the period of training, Annex 21 will be applied to post, where the successful candidate will be paid a percentage of the fully qualified rate
The diagnostic workload is approximately 250,000 tests/annum with all work centralised at the Cumberland Infirmary.
We use a range of automated testing platforms including IRIS urine analyser, Mast Urisystem, Dynex DS2, Cepheid, Maldi-TOF and BacTec Blood Culture. We also perform traditional culture for the main laboratory areas and both Parasitology and Mycology are included in our repertoire. Successful applicant must have a keen interest in training as the post holder will be required to train and supervise junior staff and assist the band 6 team of Biomedical Scientists in the day to day running of the microbiology laboratory.
Main duties of the job
Carry out & supervise technical and scientific work in a section of the laboratory under the direction of the biomedical scientist team manager. Ensure prompt processing of patient specimens including analysis, utilising highly complex automated analytical equipment, manual methods, specialist and complex testing. Perform laboratory procedures effectively, rotating through the sections of the department, to provide a comprehensive pathology service as an aid to effective diagnosis and treatment of patients.
The appointee will be a point of contact for the Microbiology Team Managers and be expected to keep up to date with scientific and managerial developments. It is essential that you have a BSc in Biomedical Science (or equivalent qualification), hold the appropriate registration with HCPC and have relevant post state registration practical experience with significant experience as a health care scientist. You should show evidence of continuing professional development and be able to demonstrate quality leadership in the department with good planning, organisational and interpersonal skills as well as evidence a high level of competence in problem solving and prioritising workloads. Excellent communication skills are essential for this post. This is a permanent full time position.
After suitable training you will be expected to participate in a rota for weekend and out of hours working for which an additional payment will be paid.
Working for our organisation
At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding hospital and health services to half a million people. Established on 1st October 2019, the Trust is creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout north Cumbria and beyond. We’re responsible for delivering over 70 services across 15 main locations and we employ more than 6,500 members of staff.
Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of ‘safe, high quality care every time’.
- Being a clinically led organisation
- Quality and safety at the heart
- A positive patient experience every time
- A great place to work
- Managing our money well
As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.
Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment. Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed.
If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies.
· Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.
· If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.
Important Information
Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.
For candidates applying using a Hotmail account or have strict firewall settings please ensure the following:
- Junk Mail is checked regularly
Disclosure and Barring Service:
On 28 November 2020, the new Disclosure and Barring Service filtering rules will come into effect.
The changes mean that:
- youth cautions, reprimands and final warnings will no longer be subject to automatic disclosure
- the multiple conviction rule has been removed, meaning that if an individual has more than one conviction, regardless of offence type or time passed, each conviction will be considered against the remaining rules individually, rather than being automatically disclosed.
If you are unsure about whether you need to disclose certain criminal record information, free confidential advice may be sought from one of the charity bodies listed below. These bodies can advise you on what you are legally required to declare and may also be able to advise you on how you can disclose criminal record information to a prospective employer and your legal rights when doing so.
Nacro – Tel: 0300 123 1999, or email: [email protected]
Unlock – Tel: 01634 247350, email [email protected] or complete the online form on the Unlock website
The Trust is committed to safeguarding adults and children therefore if the post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended) the successful candidate(s) will be subject to a criminal records check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:
Standard Check: £18 + Administration cost of £3.85 = £21.85. Deducted at £6.85 from 1st month salary and £5 deducted from salary over following 3 months.
Enhanced Check: £38 + administration cost of £3.90 = £41.90. Deducted at £11.90 from 1st month salary and £10 deducted from salary over following 3 months.
As part of the one of the largest employers in the UK NCIC future employees will have also access to the following benefits.
A lease car may be available for this position; further details will be provided upon appointment if applicable.
27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
Flexible working Scheme
Excellent opportunities for development
Competitive NHS Pension scheme
Access to NHS discounts with retailers and leisure companies
EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems
These schemes are subject to availability
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent
- HCPC registration.
- Postgraduate diploma in specialist biomedical science or equivalent
Desirable criteria
- IT skills (EITS) or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
- Healthcare sciences in at least one relevant discipline
- Specialist role in an appropriate pathology discipline.
Desirable criteria
- Supervision and training of less experienced staff
- NHS roles
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Continuing professional development with portfolio.
- Consolidated development in the chosen discipline.
- Analytical procedures.
- Health & safety legislation and procedures.
- Quality management systems and accreditation requirements.
- Word processing.
- Current requirements for training and career progression.
- Equality issues.
Desirable criteria
- Equality legislation and best practice.
- Equality impact assessment.
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential criteria
- Competent in routine laboratory techniques and troubleshooting.
- Ability to analyse, interpret and present routine data, results and concepts
- Supervisory skills.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Good hand-eye coordination.
Personal Circumstances
Essential criteria
- Able to work as part of a team
Other Requirements
Essential criteria
- Flexible approach to working unsocial hours including nights, weekends and public holidays
- Able to travel independently between hospital sites.
Desirable criteria
- Driving licence.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
.png "Better Health - Silver")
Applicant requirements
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Kevin Berttram
- Job title
- Infection Sciences Operational Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01228 81433
- Additional information
Emma McKerr [email protected]
Kim Cookson [email protected]
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