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Job summary

Main area
Biomedical Sciences
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Bank
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
249-7693262
Employer
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Great Western Hospital
Town
Swindon
Salary
£38,682 - £46,580 Based on experience
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
18/02/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Bank - Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Microbiology)

Band 6

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a unique organisation, serving as the sole integrated provider in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire system. Our scope extends beyond boundaries as we oversee adult community services in Swindon and provide acute care from the Great Western Hospital. 

Our 5,500 staff have 1.2m patient contacts a year, with 13,000 operations carried out in our Theatres, around 4,000 babies born, and our emergency attendances are now well over 100,000 per year. Those numbers only tell part of our story about what an exciting time it is to join Great Western Hospitals.

We are cultivating a culture that fosters our ambitions, prioritising equality, diversion, inclusion, wellbeing, and leadership. We aim to create an environment where every member of our team can truly thrive.

The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer; all applicants who have a disability can opt to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme, which means that, providing they meet the minimum essential criteria for the post, they will be offered an interview. We are also proudly accredited as a Veteran Aware organisation and have signed The Armed Forces Covenant.

If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close adverts prior to the published closing date. Therefore, we advise you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic Specialist Biomedical Scientist with excellent interpersonal skills and a high degree of self-motivation to join our Bank. This role is integral to the laboratory, where you will provide specialist technical expertise in the Bacteriology and Virology sections.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Technical Duties:

    Perform specialized tasks in the Bacteriology and Virology sections.
    • Authorise specific result types.
    • Oversee and supervise Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) and Assistant Practitioners (APs).
    • Manage the use and maintenance of laboratory equipment
  • Quality and Project Management:

    • Participate in validation and verification projects.
    • Take responsibility for a specific technical function within the laboratory.

  • Development and Support:

    • Stay updated with scientific advancements and managerial developments in the field.
    • Support senior staff and the Laboratory Manager in providing an efficient, expert, and cost-effective laboratory service.
    • Take on additional laboratory responsibilities with appropriate support and training.

Working Hours:

  • Routine hours are Monday to Friday, 08:45 to 17:15 (37.5 hours per week).

Main duties of the job

Specialist Biomedical Scientists (BMS) play a crucial role in the laboratory team, responsible for diagnosing infections and disease processes.

They leverage the latest scientific knowledge and methods, while also utilizing traditional techniques when necessary.

Specialist BMS conduct and interpret laboratory tests providing essential data to clinical staff for accurate diagnoses and evaluating the effectiveness of treatments.

Working for our organisation

Our STAR values – Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect – are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. At all times to act in accordance with and adhere to laboratory and Trust procedures and protocols.

2. To work under the direction of Senior BMS staff in the provision of a diagnostic Microbiology service, working within departmental guidelines and safety policies.

3. To be responsible for health and safety issues pertinent to diagnostic laboratory work, adhering to all Trust and laboratory employment Health and Safety policies and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations. 

4. To rotate (after suitable training and competency verification) through all sections of the Bacteriology department.

5. To participate in mandatory training requirements of the Trust and attend training sessions, educational meetings and laboratory meetings as appropriate.

6. To be aware of and support the goal of providing a quality driven patient centered service, participating in the laboratory’s quality management procedures.

7. To rectify and or bring to the attention of more senior staff/Laboratory Management any issues compromising this goal.

8. To be courteous and professional when dealing with other health care professionals or patients.

Please see attached Job Description for full details.

Person specification

Education, Qualifications, Training

Essential criteria
  • BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science (Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) approved) or equivalent.
  • Current registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
  • IBMS Specialist diploma in Medical Microbiology
Desirable criteria
  • MSc Medical Microbiology (or equivalent experience/qualification)
  • Quality Management training
  • Health & Safety training
  • Parasitology training
  • Mycology training

Experience

Essential criteria
  • In-depth experience of working in all areas of a Medical Microbiology laboratory, post HCPC registration
  • Previous experience of working alone out of hours
Desirable criteria
  • Quality Management experience
  • Health & Safety Management experience

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in People: Goldhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/kickstart-scheme-brand-guidelinesCare Leaver CovenantStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthArmed Forces Covenant

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Christopher Frearson
Job title
Laboratory Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01793 604798
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