Senior Biomedical Scientist, Band 7- Microbiology

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Biomedical Scientist, Band 7- Microbiology

Salary Not Specified

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester

  • Full time
  • Permanent
  • Onsite working

Posted 2 weeks ago, 15 May | Get your application in now before you miss out!

Closing date: Closing date not specified

job Ref: 493fe1d6d5b2408b84bdea9f7dafff55

Full Job Description

  • To be able to work competently in the molecular section, taking overall day-to-day responsibility for the service provided

  • To maintain a high standard of professional competence and current knowledge of the relevant tests and service, maintaining evidence of continuing professional development

  • To act as a source of specialist molecular testing advice, providing advice to users and departmental staff where needed

  • To communicate with users and external stakeholders when needed to ensure quality of service is maintained

  • To use specialist knowledge to determine the relevant tests to be carried out on samples

  • To use specialist knowledge in the interpretation of test results and allocation of confirmation or identification tests

  • To ensure all new equipment and tests are appropriately verified or validated before use on clinical samples

  • To participate in the procurement of equipment, reagents and consumables relevant to the molecular section

  • To undertake regular horizon scanning activities to ensure the section is able to take advantage of potential technical and service developments

  • To authorise results on the department LIMS for the molecular section

  • To participate in rotas to cover authorising in other laboratory sections (e.g. serology)

  • To ensure the safe handling and reception of samples (including those designated as high-risk)

  • To ensure all work conforms to the procedures set out in laboratory polices and SOPs

  • To ensure all work conforms to the standards required by ISO15189 accreditation

  • To prioritise work, taking into account workload and stated urgency of requests

  • To be able to use and troubleshoot the equipment used in the section, including providing training on its use

  • To take a lead role in contingency planning for the section, including potential future pandemic / outbreak response

  • To ensure clinically significant results are notified to the user or Consultant Microbiologist as appropriate, including the telephoning of urgent results directly to users

  • To notify users of potential delays in reporting results that may impact on patient treatment

  • To report issues relating to the laboratory environment or building fabric directly to Estates or to the Laboratory Manager, as appropriate

  • To ensure all quality control tests are performed as required, and to prevent results being reported if QC results indicate a potential performance problem with a test.

  • To ensure all EQA samples are processed and reported according to laboratory protocols

  • To compile and communicate a monthly EQA summary report for the section

  • To ensure stocks of reagents and consumables are used efficiently and without unnecessary wastage.

  • To liaise with technical and sales staff of relevant suppliers

  • To undertake or participate in research activities relating to the section


  • Supervisory Duties

  • To ensure all safety procedures are followed within the laboratory

  • To be responsible for staff and work allocation within the section

  • To approve annual leave requests for staff

  • To investigate Datix / NCR incidents

  • To record sickness absence and conduct return-to-work interviews

  • To undertake induction for new staff

  • To undertake initial discussions with staff regarding poor or below-standard performance in the relevant section(s), referring to the Laboratory Manager where required

  • To liaise with other senior staff to ensure all sections in the laboratory are adequately covered

  • To undertake staff appraisals and produce personal development plans for assigned staff

  • To participate in the recruitment, selection and training of new staff

  • To be a member of the Senior Staff Management committee and relevant SOP groups

  • To deputise for the Lab Manager or Deputy Lab Manager, as required

  • To represent the department in external meetings or conferences as required

  • To ensure all relevant SOPs, work instructions and bench guides are managed in accordance with the document control policy

  • To complete risk assessments and COSHH assessments for the molecular section

  • To participate in the departmental audit programme, undertaking audits as required

  • To collate epidemiology data and produce reports, where required

  • To participate in the selection and approval of reference laboratories

  • To participate in the departmental competency programme, undertaking competency assessments for the section

    This is an excellent opportunity for a suitably qualified and experienced Biomedical Scientist to join a large and busy UKAS-accredited laboratory.


  • The Microbiology laboratory is located on the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital site and provides an extensive service to two acute hospitals, smaller local hospitals and to GPs in Gloucestershire and south Worcestershire. The current workload is 380,000 specimens a year.

    The successful candidate will be reliable, enthusiastic, motivated and forward thinking. They will be able to demonstrate the necessary skills to lead a small technical team within the laboratory, together with specialist technical knowledge in molecular infection services. The post-holder will be part of the departmental senior management team.

    Candidates must have current HCPC registration and substantial years previous experience of working in an NHS Microbiology laboratory at a Specialist BMS level. It is expected that this experience will include a significant amount in a molecular department.

    The department has a well-equipped laboratory offering a comprehensive service including automated urine analysis, molecular diagnostics, liquid TB culture, Virology, Mycology and Andrology.

    The successful candidate will be reliable, enthusiastic, motivated and forward thinking. They will be able to demonstrate the necessary skills to lead a small technical team within the laboratory, together with specialist technical knowledge in molecular services. The post-holder will be part of the departmental senior management team.

    Candidates must have current HCPC registration and substantial years previous experience of working in an NHS Microbiology laboratory at a Specialist BMS level. It is expected that this experience will include a significant amount in a molecular department.

    You will be expected to participate in the weekend and bank holiday rotas, as required by service needs.,
  • Postgraduate qualification in Medical Microbiology or Virology, equivalent to MSc level or FIBMS

  • Registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

  • Substantial years' experience of working as a Specialist BMS in Microbiology or Virology, including significant periods of working in a clinical molecular department

  • Specialist training, qualifications and experience in the relevant section(s)

  • IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Medical Microbiology or Virology, or equivalent experience

    Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest employer in the county and with over 8,000 staff, we are one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK. We offer a generous annual leave allowance, excellent bank rates, access to the excellent NHS Pension Scheme, discounts for local shops, restaurants and services, access to our health and well-being hub, access to our two on-site nurseries, flexible working options, discounted public transport, reward and recognition schemes, exercise and activity classes and membership to our popular hospital choir.