Job summary
- Main area
- Biomedical Sciences
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity Cover)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Including on call, weekends and bank holidays)
- Job ref
- 249-7754679
- Employer
- Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Great Western Hospital
- Town
- Swindon
- Salary
- £38,682 - £46,580 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 20/02/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Specialist Biomedical Scientist
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
12-month Fixed Term Contract - Maternity Cover
We are seeking an enthusiastic Specialist Biomedical Scientist with excellent interpersonal skills and a high degree of self-motivation to join our dynamic team. This role is integral to the laboratory, where you will provide specialist technical expertise in the Bacteriology and Virology sections.
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.
Main duties of the job
-
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).
- Participation in a rotational schedule for weekends and Bank Holidays.
- Involvement in the on-call (out-of-hours) service provision is required.
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
Please see attached job description for full details.
This job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances, in discussion with the post holder. This role profile is intended to provide a broad outline of the main responsibilities only. The post holder will need to be flexible in developing the role with initial and on-going discussions with the designated manager.
Person specification
Education, Qualifications, Training
Essential criteria
- BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science (Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) approved) or equivalent, plus, further knowledge acquired through training and practical experience
- Current registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- IBMS Specialist diploma in Medical Microbiology
Desirable criteria
- MSc Medical Microbiology
- 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 in an NHS laboratory, post HCPC registration
- Previous experience of working alone out of hours is essential
Desirable criteria
- Experience in automated and manual identification methods
- Quality Management experience
- Health & Safety Management experience
- Stock Management and stock control experience
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
- Christopher Frearson
- Job title
- Laboratory Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01793 604798
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