Job summary
- Main area
- Microbiology
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 430-CC26-903A-A
- Employer
- Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Microbiology (Dept)
- Town
- Milton Keynes
- Salary
- £39,959 - £48,117 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 24/06/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 07/07/2026
Employer heading
Specialist Biomedical Scientist
Band 6
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
Specialist Biomedical Scientist
Department: Microbiology
Band 6 - £39,959 - £48,117
Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week
All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
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.
Applicants must be HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists with a minimum of 3 years’ post-registration experience in a UK clinical microbiology laboratory. Candidates should also have completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Medical Microbiology or be nearing completion with verification pending.
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.
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Previous applicants that have applied in the last 3 months need not apply
Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Interview date: 07 July 2026
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be part of a team of Specialist Biomedical Scientists delivering a diagnostic Microbiology Service analysing and reporting on blood, urine, faeces and other materials to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care, effective resource management.
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. These will include analytical, technical, and administrative troubleshooting to ensure reliable service delivery.
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 working morning, afternoon, and night shifts or on-call on weekends and public holidays.
Please refer to the Job Description attached for full details
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. Prioritisation of section work to take account of workload and urgency of analyses
c. To follow the standard operating procedures and participate in their regular review and update.
d. Use of specialist knowledge to determine the relevant tests to be carried out on samples received in each section
e. To undertake routine operative maintenance on laboratory instruments.
f. To ensure that appropriate preventative maintenance has been carried out on laboratory instruments and equipment prior to them being used for patient’s samples.
g. Measure and monitor the accuracy and imprecision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
Please refer to the Job Description attached for full details
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria
- HCPC Registration
- In process/completed IBMS Specialist Portfolio
- Evidence of relavent CPD
- Knowledge of UKAS accreditation process and standards
- Understanding of Health and safety policies, COSHH assessments
- Knowledge of working in CL2 & 3 areas of the lab, QMS, LIMS etc…
Experience
Essential criteria
- Instrument trouble shooting and maintenence
- Staff training/H&S/QMS
- Out of hours service (lone worker), weekend, public holiday working pattern
Desirable criteria
- Development/change implimentation in Microbiology
- Use of CliniSys WinPath
- Use of QPulse
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
- 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
- Clear, and concise in communication
- Good command of English language
- Familiar with multiple modes of communication (email, MS teams)
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
- Rizalea Echaluse
- Job title
- Chief Biomedical Scientist & Operations Manager
- Telephone number
- 01908 995781
- Additional information
Duncan Lyons, Lab Manager on 01908995790.
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