Specialist Biomedical Scientist Microbiology

Overview

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Specialist Biomedical Scientist Microbiology

The closing date is 29 March 2026

Applications are invited from proactive, motivated, enthusiastic HCPC Registered Specialist Biomedical Scientists to join the Microbiology Department, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

The post holders would be working 37.5 hours/week over 7 days, out of hours and on-call. Participation in the discipline specific on-call service will be required. Rostered Late shifts (12:00–20:00), Saturdays, Sundays and Bank holidays (08:00–16:00) rota as required.

The Department provides Microbiology services (including Serology and Molecular) to a population of Worcestershire.

The Microbiology Department receives approximately 690,000 specimens per year. The department currently uses the Clinsys Winpath computer LIMS system and iPassport QMS.

This is a modern well equipped laboratory, with a range of automation including the Biomerieux MALDI-TOF, Vitek, and Virtuo Blood culture analysers, the Sedimax Urine analyser, Mast Urisystem, the VIDAS3, COBAS 6800 and Cepheid Gene Xpert system.

The Department has UKAS accreditation. It is approved by the IBMS as a training laboratory. The Department has a proven track record in training and is committed to further education and personal development of staff through CPD and post-registration training.

Amongst other duties will include:

• Be responsible for the work carried out in the designated section, supervising Biomedical Scientists, associate practitioners and MLA staff, ensuring work is completed in line with service requirements.
• Perform pre-analytical preparation of specimens including matching of specimens and data entry of patient and specimen information into the Laboratory IT system with accuracy.
• Analyse potentially infectious samples using a range of highly specialised laboratory procedures, by either manual or automated techniques, to produce results of a quality consistent with excellent patient care. Undertakes these duties in all areas of the Department.
• Carries out troubleshooting and preventative maintenance on highly complex automated systems. Ensures appropriate records are kept and liaises with senior staff and service engineers where appropriate.
• To handle potentially highly infectious material and known highly infectious material, containing Hazard Group 2 & 3 pathogens, in order to perform subjective interpretation of diagnostic investigations and be responsible for the validity of own results.
• Completes the work process by the verification and validation of results and report generation. This involves the interpretation of clinical data and requires in-depth theoretical knowledge.
• Is able to exercise individual skills through the observation and interpretation of clinical material or data. Recommends additional tests where appropriate to assist the requesting clinician in the diagnostic process.
• Responsible for ensuring efficient use and maintenance of resources, is aware of stock levels and rotation, storage conditions, batch numbers and expiry dates, thus ensuring the viability of reagents used. Communicating any ordering requirements to the associate practitioner team and reagent issues to Senior BMS and Quality Manager.
• Be able to exercise own initiative and work in conjunction with other staff members to ensure that the workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the assessment, planning and prioritisation of tasks.
• Is fully conversant with departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), ensuring that personal performance complies with ISO 15189 and other professional standards.
• Practices in accordance with the professional, ethical and legal codes of the Health Care Professions Council and the Trust’s protocols and guidelines.
• To frequently offer specialist technical advice to Medical staff and other service users on validity of results including reference ranges, appropriate specimens/sampling and turnaround times.
• Communicates effectively with other staff groups, both internal and external, including healthcare professionals, patients…