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Job summary

Main area
Microbiology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity Cover)
Hours
Part time - 30 hours per week (Including on call and weekend working)
Job ref
249-7168960
Employer
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Great Western Hospital
Town
Swindon
Salary
£46,148 - £52,809 with 5% RRP
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
22/05/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Advanced Biomedical Scientist

NHS AfC: Band 7

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a unique organisation, serving as the sole integrated provider in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire system. Our scope extends beyond boundaries as we oversee adult community services in Swindon and provide acute care from the Great Western Hospital. 

Our 5,500 staff have 1.2m patient contacts a year, with 13,000 operations carried out in our Theatres, around 4,000 babies born, and our emergency attendances are now well over 100,000 per year. Those numbers only tell part of our story about what an exciting time it is to join Great Western Hospitals.

We are cultivating a culture that fosters our ambitions, prioritising equality, diversion, inclusion, wellbeing, and leadership. We aim to create an environment where every member of our team can truly thrive.

The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer; all applicants who have a disability can opt to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme, which means that, providing they meet the minimum essential criteria for the post, they will be offered an interview. We are also proudly accredited as a Veteran Aware organisation and have signed The Armed Forces Covenant.

If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close adverts prior to the published closing date. Therefore, we advise you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Job overview

Part Time - 30 hours per week

Fixed Term Contract - Maternity Cover

The Senior Biomedical scientist will work with other seniors in the team responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Microbiology department. The role involves providing a cost-effective quality service through review if processes and policies’ and interpreting technical laboratory tests and diagnostic processes. In addition they must act as a line manager for laboratory staff and provide technical support and advice to the Microbiology consultants.

Main duties of the job

The Advanced Band 7 Biomedical Scientist in Bacteriology plays a vital role in delivering a high-quality, patient-centered diagnostic service by overseeing day-to-day laboratory operations in line with Trust protocols, safety regulations, and quality standards. The post holder ensures effective time management and supervision of staff, maintains competency in bacteriology, provides technical support to consultants, and participates in the weekend and out-of-hours service. Responsibilities include processing and interpreting complex microbiological samples, ensuring timely and accurate reporting, maintaining and troubleshooting advanced laboratory equipment, leading method evaluations, and supporting audits and quality management initiatives. The role also involves regular communication with internal and external stakeholders, training and mentoring junior staff, contributing to business cases, and ensuring compliance with UKAS, COSHH, and ISO 15189 standards. Professional competence is maintained through continuous development, adherence to HCPC requirements, and active participation in training and appraisal processes. The post holder is expected to manage resources responsibly, contribute to service improvement, and operate effectively under conditions that include physical effort, exposure to infectious materials, and occasional distressing scenarios.

Working for our organisation

Our STAR values – Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect – are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. At all times to act in accordance with and adhere to laboratory and Trust procedures and protocols.
2. To undertake effective time management in the daily planning of the sections work and to direct BMS/AP/BSW staff in the provision of a diagnostic Microbiology service, working within departmental 
guidelines and safety policies.
3. To be responsible for health and safety issues pertinent to diagnostic laboratory work, adhering to all Trust and laboratory employment Health and Safety policies and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 
(COSHH) regulations. 
4. To be responsible for the maintenance and safe operation of highly complex and expensive laboratory equipment.
5. To maintain competency in all areas of bacteriology.

Person specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential criteria
  • • BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science (Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) approved) or equivalent.
  • • Current registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
  • • IBMS Specialist diploma in Medical Microbiology
  • • Evidence of on-going CPD
Desirable criteria
  • • MSc Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
  • • Higher Specialist Diploma in Medical Microbiology
  • • Quality Management training.
  • • Health & Safety training.
  • • Management Qualification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • • In-depth experience of working in all areas of a Medical Microbiology laboratory.
  • • In-depth experience of working at a management level in Microbiology.
  • • In-depth experience of UKAS assessments
  • • Previous experience of lone working and our of hours working
Desirable criteria
  • • Quality Management experience.
  • • Health & Safety Management experience.
  • • Bacteriology Training experience

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • • Advanced knowledge of Bacteriology and Virology
  • • Ability to demonstrate problem solving and trouble-shooting skills
  • • Knowledge of LIMS systems, exclusively WinPath Enterprise
Desirable criteria
  • • Presentation skills
  • • A good knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Other Job-Related Requirements

Essential criteria
  • • Able to demonstrate an organised and methodical approach to working.
  • • Ability to work successfully in a team.
  • • Ability to work effectively under pressure, managing time and prioritize workloads.
  • • Ability to motivate/lead a team successfully

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in People: Goldhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/kickstart-scheme-brand-guidelinesStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthArmed Forces Covenant

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Mitchell Reed
Job title
Laboratory Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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