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Job summary

Main area
Microbiology
Grade
Band 7
Contract
Permanent: hours to be worked across 7 day week.
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Weekend shifts are anticipated to be 1:4 alternating Saturday/Sunday ( but still under consultation). Participation in the on call rota is expected.)
Job ref
359-7222239-T1
Employer
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Maidstone Hospital
Town
Maidstone
Salary
£46,148 - £52,809 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
23/06/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust logo

Senior BMS (Microbiology) CL3 Enteric and Joint Health and Safety Lead

Band 7

Job overview

The Microbiology Department at Maidstone Hospital is looking for an experienced  Advanced Specialist Microbiology Biomedical Scientist with an interest in enteric microbiology and Health and Safety to join the team.  Experience with CL3 regulations is essential, but study for qualifications will be available.

The post holder will be responsible for overseeing the CL3 enteric laboratory and will be jointly responsible for all aspects of health and safety within the department, working in a small team with the Head BMS and the CL3 respiratory/joint H&S  lead to deliver a safe working environment conforming to all required regulations. The post involves overall responsibility for the enteric department alongside joint responsibility for all aspects of Health and safety within the department. You will be an integral part of the microbiology BMS team, taking responsibility on a rotational basis for a laboratory section. You will be an integral member of the senior MTW team as we work across Kent within the emerging Kent and Medway Pathology Network, shaping the future.  The post holder will be given protected time to undertake their H&S and other senior responsibilities.

Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date, so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.

Main duties of the job

Lead the enteric CL3 laboratory. Jointly responsible for departmental  H&S delivery, reporting to the HBMS, who has the responsibility for H&S.

Working within the microbiology Senior team, shaping the future of the department.

Performing asana SBMS, undertaking required laboratory work regularly across a 7-day cycle. Day-to-day responsibility for a section of the department and the staff assigned to it.

Participation in the bacteriology on-call rota

Working for our organisation

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?

We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

•    At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
•    Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
•    Blue Light card eligibility
•    And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission. 

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Standard Level. 

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed. 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • IBMS Specialist Diploma Microbiology
  • MSc Medical Microbiology
  • HCPC registration
Desirable criteria
  • IOSH managing safely

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of comprehensive microbiology experience
  • Evidence of leading a team
  • Evidence of H&S training
  • Evidence of intermediate to high use of microsoft packages
Desirable criteria
  • Use of Qpulse
  • Use of Winpath enterprise

Experience/Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of writting COSHH and risk assesment
  • Experience of working within CL3 facilities and understanding of H&S requirements
  • Minimum 3 years post IBMS Specialist Diploma or 5 years post HCPC Registration
  • Evidence of training and supervising a team
  • Comprehensive knowledge of microbiology, serology and molecular testing techniques
  • Experience with quality control and assurance programmes.
Desirable criteria
  • Capable of providing a single-handed microbiology ‘on call’ service
  • Experience of HSE CL3 inspection

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Kent and Medway Work Place Wellbeing AwardNHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardTrust IDVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - SilverStep into healthArmed Forces CovenantRoyal College of Anaesthetists AccreditedNHS England Bronze Award

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.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Sandra Hobden
Job title
Head Biomedical Scientist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01622 224040
Additional information

Julia Thwaites (SBMS) - 01622 224040

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