Job summary
- Main area
- Microbiology
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- 12 months (12 Month Fixed Term (Maternity Cover))
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Including on call and weekend working)
- Job ref
- 249-7747743-3
- Employer
- Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Great Western Hospital
- Town
- Swindon
- Salary
- £49,387 - £56,515 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 30/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Advanced Biomedical Scientist
Band 7
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.
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used, then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
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
Advanced Biomedical Scientist | 12 Month Fixed Term
The Senior Biomedical scientist will work with other seniors in the team responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Microbiology department. The role involves providing a cost-effective quality service through review if processes and policies’ and interpreting technical laboratory tests and diagnostic processes. In addition they must act as a line manager for laboratory staff and provide technical support and advice to the Microbiology consultants.
PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY
Main duties of the job
The Advanced Band 7 Biomedical Scientist in Bacteriology plays a vital role in delivering a high-quality, patient-centered diagnostic service by overseeing day-to-day laboratory operations in line with Trust protocols, safety regulations, and quality standards.
The post holder ensures effective time management and supervision of staff, maintains competency in bacteriology, provides technical support to consultants, and participates in the weekend and out-of-hours service. Responsibilities include processing and interpreting complex microbiological samples, ensuring timely and accurate reporting, maintaining and troubleshooting advanced laboratory equipment, leading method evaluations, and supporting audits and quality management initiatives.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group – a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people. We are creating a heath and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The role also involves regular communication with internal and external stakeholders, training and mentoring junior staff, contributing to business cases, and ensuring compliance with UKAS, COSHH, and ISO 15189 standards. Professional competence is maintained through continuous development, adherence to HCPC requirements, and active participation in training and appraisal processes.
Please see attached full Job Description
Person specification
Education, Qualifications and 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
- Evidence of on-going CPD
Desirable criteria
- MSc Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
- Management training/Qualification
- Higher Specialist Diploma in Medical Microbiology
- Health & Safety training.
Experience
Essential criteria
- In-depth experience of working in all areas of a Medical Microbiology laboratory in the NHS.
- In-depth experience of working at a management level in Microbiology in the NHS..
- Previous experience of working alone out of hours is essential.
- Advanced knowledge in Clinical Virology and Bacteriology.
Desirable criteria
- Experience in use of automated molecular and serological platforms.
- Experience of training staff
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 604804
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