Job overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Virology Biomedical Scientist to join the Microbiology Department at Bedford Hospital.

Our laboratory is equipped with an extensive range of modern platforms, including the Beckman Coulter Microscan, BioMérieux BacT/Alert Virtuo, Cepheid GeneXpert, BD MGIT, BioMérieux VIDAS, BioFire TORCH and FilmArray, Roche Cobas 6800, Bruker MALDI‑TOF, BD MAX, Stratec Gemini, Roche Cobas 8000, and the DS2 system.

Following our merger with the Luton Microbiology Department, we now provide a comprehensive diagnostic service for Bedford Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, and local GP practices. The department is UKAS‑accredited to ISO 15189:2022 and is recognised by the IBMS as an approved training laboratory.

In this role, you will be a key member of the senior Microbiology team, with a primary focus on Virology and Quality.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will serve as a Senior Biomedical Scientist, working closely with the Laboratory Manager and the Quality team to support the Virology service through robust quality processes, documentation management, and staff training, ensuring continued compliance with UKAS accreditation standards. Applicants must demonstrate substantial experience with Quality Management Systems, a strong understanding of quality principles, and a proven ability to train staff across all grades.

In this role, the post holder will support the senior Virology team by maintaining and developing departmental documentation, monitoring and managing non‑conformances, conducting audits, implementing quality improvements, and delivering training. They will also assist the Laboratory Manager with the operational running of the department, contributing to the implementation, monitoring, and review of contractual requirements while ensuring service continuity and effective risk mitigation.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton.  Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

It is an exciting time to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

 

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.