Job summary
- Main area
- Medical Microbiology
- Grade
- Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 430-CC25-383A
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Microbiology (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £31,049 - £37,796 Per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 26/09/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Biomedical Scientist
Band 5
At Milton Keynes University Hospital, you will be welcomed into a friendly and supportive environment where teamwork and respect are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to live our Trust values and behaviours every day, creating a culture where everyone feels heard and valued.
MKUH staff's Motivation and Involvement scores are among the highest in our peer group, showing that our people feel inspired and included in decision-making (Staff Survey, 2024).
Our benefits
We believe in recognising and rewarding the amazing contribution of our staff and that is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, work-life balance, and professional growth, including:
- Free on-site parking including EV charging
- Complimentary refreshments
- Flexible working arrangements
- Discounted gym membership
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Generous annual leave, with the option to bank holiday entitlement
- Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
- On-site nursery (charges apply)
- A wide-ranging staff health and wellbeing programme including EAP
- VIVUP products to support your mental, physical, and financial Wellbeing
Job overview
Biomedical Scientist
Department: Microbiology
Band 5 pro rata if part-time
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The Microbiology Department at Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is part of an ever-growing UKAS accredited Pathology Department.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and enthusiastic HCPC-registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join our dynamic Microbiology laboratory team. We are seeking a dedicated professional with proven competency and experience at the required level.
To be considered, you must have:
✅ HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist
✅ Relevant experience in a UK clinical microbiology laboratory
✅ IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Medical Microbiology (or completed and pending verification)
We are looking for a passionate and driven individual who would enjoy the challenge of working in a busy microbiology laboratory.
The ideal applicant for this role will need to be a team player with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, familiar with Quality Assurance and Quality Management Systems with a genuine desire to further their learning and provide a safe service at the highest standard.
The laboratory processes over 220,000 sample requests per year, the Department is accredited for HCPC/IBMS training and is currently working towards acquiring UKAS accreditation status.
Interview date: 24.10.2025
Main duties of the job
The post holder will prioritise their own workload, communicate with senior laboratory staff, clinicians, and patients.
The post holder will undertake their responsibilities within the Bacteriology, Serology, Molecular, Mycology, Parasitology sections of the laboratory to meet all required national and local standards.
The post holder will work with complete patient confidentiality in line with the departments/ Trusts policy on Data Protection Act 1998.
The post holder will be expected to work alone or as part of a team providing a 24-hour laboratory cover throughout the year as required, this will include covering the core, late and night shifts including weekends and public holidays.
The laboratory has recently undergone modernization, incorporating advanced technologies such as MALDI-ToF, Biomerieux Biofire, Vitek, Bactec FX 400, Vidas, IQ100 Sprint analysers, and Cepheid GeneXpert.
The successful candidate will be required to participate in the current core, late afternoon, and night shifts or on-call system, providing a 24/7 service, including weekends and public holidays.
The department provides good opportunities for CPD and ongoing education/training relevant to the job role will be supported. The laboratory is also a part of South 4 Pathology Partnership Network and works very closely with other Network laboratories.
Working for our organisation
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a “Good” rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.
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Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Technical
a. Carry out analytical duties manipulating samples and reagents with accuracy, precision, and speed to ensure a high-quality cost-effective service.
b. To follow the standard operating procedures and participate in their regular review and update.
c. To undertake routine operative maintenance on laboratory instruments.
2. Scientific
a. To undertake method and laboratory instrument evaluation as directed by the section senior BMS/lead.
b. To participate in research and development and clinical trials as directed by the laboratory Chief/Senior BMS.
c. To participate in the introduction of new equipment or methods into the department.
d. To keep up to date with current scientific and technical developments including participation in scientific meetings as appropriate to propose service developments/improvements to the appropriate section supervisor.
3. Clinical
a. To work in any section of the laboratory as required.
b. Prioritisation and planning of the daily workload and take part in the daily routine work as required.
c. To use guidance (where needed), experience, knowledge, and judgement to make interpretative decisions on laboratory analysis of patient’s samples and cultures. e.g. the pathogenic and clinical significance of culture results.
4. Laboratory Informatics
a. To comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure, and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
b. To use the Laboratory Information System according to the authorised protocols.
c. To maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.
d. To enter patient demographics and technical laboratory data on to the laboratory information system.
5. Administrative
a. To ensure that all results are reported within the agreed turnaround time, and to take appropriate action, for example communicating with colleagues and managers, in the event of a situation arising preventing timely reporting of results.
b. To advise the senior or Chief Biomedical Scientist when stocks of reagents and consumables are approaching minimum stock levels.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria
- HCPC Registration
- Evidence of relevant CPD
- Knowledge of UKAS accreditation process and standards
- Understanding of Health and safety policies, COSHH assessments
- Knowledge of laboratory QMS
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experienced in: - Instrument trouble shooting and maintenence
- Out of hours service, weekend, public holiday working pattern
- Development/change implementation in Microbiology
- Use of LIMS
- Use of QPulse (or equivalent)
Desirable criteria
- Night shift work
Skills
Essential criteria
- Possess excellent practical skills
- Be able to prioritise work
- Work under pressure
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Be proficient in IT skills
Desirable criteria
- Conflict resolution skills
Personal and people development
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable ability to: Work individualy or as part of a team.
- Be confident, diplomatic and have personal & professional maturity.
- Be enthusiastic
- Organised with good interpersonal skills
Communication
Essential criteria
- To possess: Clear, and concise in communication
- Good command of English language
- Familiar with multiple modes of communication (email, MS teams)
Specific requirements
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable ability to: To perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Demonstrate reliability and commitment
- To carry out the lifting and handling requirements of the post
- Capable of working independently without supervision
- Professional maturity
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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
- Rizalea Echaluse
- Job title
- Chief Biomedical Scientist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
If you think this opportunity for you, call us for an informal chat.
For more information, please contact Rizalea Echaluse, Chief Biomedical Scientist on 01908 995781.
Practical experience assessment may be performed during interviewing of successful applicants.
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