NHS
Biomedical Scientist- Microbiology
This job is now closed
Job Description
- Req#: C9298-PATH-513?language=en&page=57&sort=publicationDateDesc
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Teaching and training skills
- IBMS approved degree or evidence of top up modules completed
- HCPC registration - please provide HCPC number and date obtained
- Recent evidence of CPD activities
- Post registration experience within Microbiology
- Understanding and knowledge of pathology and disease processes
- Experience within a laboratory environment
- Line manager experience
- Proven ability to work unsupervised out of hours
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Communication and collaboration skills
- Teaching and training skills
- IBMS approved degree or evidence of top up modules completed
- HCPC registration - please provide HCPC number and date obtained
- Recent evidence of CPD activities
- Post registration experience within Microbiology
- Understanding and knowledge of pathology and disease processes
- Experience within a laboratory environment
- Line manager experience
- Proven ability to work unsupervised out of hours
Job summary
Expected Shortlisting Date
01/04/2026
Planned Interview Date
21/04/2026
Do you have a passion for Microbiology and want to continue your career journey within an innovative and busy department?
Working within the Centre For Laboratory Medicine at St James University Hospital, a brand new, £30m, purpose built laboratory facility, this role offers a multitude of opportunities to learn within a diverse and exciting environment.
You will be fundamental in delivering a collaborative regional Microbiology service. Currently the department delivers services for Leeds Teaching Hospitals and Mid Yorkshire Teaching Hospitals Trust with services for Calderdale due to move Q3 2026.
This post is advertised as a full time position working within Bacteriology, with rotation within Mycology and Environmental and Waters Laboratories. Previous experience within Microbiology is an advantage but full training will be given.
Applicants will be HCPC registered with a Biomedical Science degree or equivalent.
Interviews will be held during week commencing 20th April
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be a member of the departmental team carrying out examination of samples for diagnosis of bacterial and mycological causes of infection.
On a daily basis you will be allocated to a laboratory section where you will work with other scientists and support staff to process samples and report results. As a Band 5 Registered Scientist, after training, you will be responsible for managing your workload and using professional judgement and specialist knowledge in difficult situations
We provide a full 24/7 laboratory service supported by a shift system covering weekends, extended days and nights. (agenda for change T&Cs). As a Registered Biomedical Scientist you will participate in providing cover for the service after suitable training.
You will be pro-active in your own development and that of the service. Our charity partner organisation Leeds Cares provides funding for staff and contributes to training and development including further IBMS & professional qualifications. Specialist portfolio training is often supported after a set period of post registration training and where sufficient specialist skills gained.
About us
The department is currently located within St James University Hospital processing in excess of two million samples per annum. The department uses a number of technologies to deliver the service including WASPlab, MS Prime, UF5000 & Serosep alongside traditional culture based Microbiology. The successful candidate will be working in a busy laboratory; delivering services to one of the UKs largest teaching hospitals leading to a diverse workload.
The department is also the lead laboratory for Public Health England in the Yorkshire and Humber region and plays important role in delivering Microbiology & Virology services to support this function.
The team are diverse and enthusiastic to deliver a quality service.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.
Details
Date posted
17 March 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
£32,073 to £39,043 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
C9298-PATH-513
Job locations
St. James's University Hospital
Beckett Street
Leeds
LS9 7TF
Job descriptionJob description
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY
As a State Registered Biomedical Scientist, the post holder will be a member of the departmental team and assist in the delivery of a quality driven, cost effective, patient focused service consistent with LTHT Pathology objectives. To provide that service in a manner commensurate with the profession
The post holders main role is to carry out the examination of pathological samples using various technologies and to report or present the results as appropriate.
Working in different sections of the department you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute towards the provision of an accurate and timely service for patients. You will be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills to technically complex and sometimes difficult situations, and how to work, often under pressure, either independently or as part of the team.
You will be required to communicate information, often related to patient management and care, to colleagues, healthcare staff and other organisations.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical/ Scientific/ Technical
Carry out appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that are consistent with the post levels of knowledge, skills and experience. These tasks may vary from day to day but examples would include:
o Carry out analysis
o Reporting results (appropriate to discipline) with appropriate escalation as required
o Maintaining appropriate records and documentation
o Plate reading and reporting
o Basic tissue & disease recognition
o Specialist reagent set up
o Dealing with unauthorised telephone results enquires
Participate in the departments rosters as required
Work flexibly and undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as agreed with line manager
This job requires a high degree of dexterity and precision when manipulating small tools such as pipettes, handling very small volumes of clinical material or when preparing microscope slides for examination by others. In order to achieve the required turnaround times the work must be performed with both speed and accuracy.
Technical validation and designated clinical authorisation of results as determined by specialist area
Communication of complex, technical information to users of the service
Use of LIMS to report, retrieve and manage technical information.
Participate and ensure the operation and routine maintenance of equipment.
The post holder will be expected to second line trouble shoot in response to operational issues
Leadership/ Management
Support and inspire staff to provide efficient , effective, safe, quality care to patients
Provide day to day supervision and co-ordination of staff.
Responsible for professional/clinical supervision of qualified staff or students
Deputise for the Specialist BMS
Help to ensure the effective deployment of staff is mapped against the flow of work to provide safe and effective service delivery
Promote the building of effective teams and collaboration between teams
Ensure compliance with all statutory and legislative requirements including patient confidentiality and the Data Protection Act.
Anticipate problems and take preventative or mitigating actions, or have contingency plans available
Help manage the use of agency staff in the team
Supports effective and efficient management of section, including optimisation of workflow.
Supports waste reduction incentives for designated area
Supports collaborative team working across all sections
Quality/ Training
Support and participate in level 1 incident investigations.
Assist with the production, maintenance and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures.
Maintain standards of laboratory policies and procedures to ensure that the department meets National External Quality Assurance (EQA) and Accreditation standards.
Undertake quality control procedures, examine quality control results to identify poor performance and instigate appropriate action.
Support and participate with the production, maintenance and implementation of risk assessments.
Participate in audits and clinical governance
Assist the department with the continuous improvement of the Quality Management System.
Keep up to date with and communicate service developments, advances and research.
Participate in and contribute to own Personal Development Review.
Ensure that safe working practices are followed in accordance with departmental Safety Policy. Be aware of and adhere to Trusts policies, including those relating to discipline, grievance, sickness, absence and health & safety
To be a training lead ambassador
Promote a learning and development culture to the improve staff skills, knowledge and competence
Delivers training and competency assessment for staff within own area
Assist in the supervision, training and teaching of staff and participate in the departments training plan
To maintain registered status as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Maintain a safe working environment
Other
The post holder will be expected to gain competence in techniques to enable participation in the delivery of 24 hour Pathology service. This entails contracted participation in a 24/7 rota and / or the out of hour rota.
The post holder will be required to work cross site locations (LGI & SJUH) if the service requires it.
This is not an exhaustive list of roles and responsibilities, and these may be subject to change with professional and service developments
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY
As a State Registered Biomedical Scientist, the post holder will be a member of the departmental team and assist in the delivery of a quality driven, cost effective, patient focused service consistent with LTHT Pathology objectives. To provide that service in a manner commensurate with the profession
The post holders main role is to carry out the examination of pathological samples using various technologies and to report or present the results as appropriate.
Working in different sections of the department you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute towards the provision of an accurate and timely service for patients. You will be expected to apply professional judgements and specialist skills to technically complex and sometimes difficult situations, and how to work, often under pressure, either independently or as part of the team.
You will be required to communicate information, often related to patient management and care, to colleagues, healthcare staff and other organisations.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical/ Scientific/ Technical
Carry out appropriate technical laboratory procedures and tasks that are consistent with the post levels of knowledge, skills and experience. These tasks may vary from day to day but examples would include:
o Carry out analysis
o Reporting results (appropriate to discipline) with appropriate escalation as required
o Maintaining appropriate records and documentation
o Plate reading and reporting
o Basic tissue & disease recognition
o Specialist reagent set up
o Dealing with unauthorised telephone results enquires
Participate in the departments rosters as required
Work flexibly and undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as agreed with line manager
This job requires a high degree of dexterity and precision when manipulating small tools such as pipettes, handling very small volumes of clinical material or when preparing microscope slides for examination by others. In order to achieve the required turnaround times the work must be performed with both speed and accuracy.
Technical validation and designated clinical authorisation of results as determined by specialist area
Communication of complex, technical information to users of the service
Use of LIMS to report, retrieve and manage technical information.
Participate and ensure the operation and routine maintenance of equipment.
The post holder will be expected to second line trouble shoot in response to operational issues
Leadership/ Management
Support and inspire staff to provide efficient , effective, safe, quality care to patients
Provide day to day supervision and co-ordination of staff.
Responsible for professional/clinical supervision of qualified staff or students
Deputise for the Specialist BMS
Help to ensure the effective deployment of staff is mapped against the flow of work to provide safe and effective service delivery
Promote the building of effective teams and collaboration between teams
Ensure compliance with all statutory and legislative requirements including patient confidentiality and the Data Protection Act.
Anticipate problems and take preventative or mitigating actions, or have contingency plans available
Help manage the use of agency staff in the team
Supports effective and efficient management of section, including optimisation of workflow.
Supports waste reduction incentives for designated area
Supports collaborative team working across all sections
Quality/ Training
Support and participate in level 1 incident investigations.
Assist with the production, maintenance and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures.
Maintain standards of laboratory policies and procedures to ensure that the department meets National External Quality Assurance (EQA) and Accreditation standards.
Undertake quality control procedures, examine quality control results to identify poor performance and instigate appropriate action.
Support and participate with the production, maintenance and implementation of risk assessments.
Participate in audits and clinical governance
Assist the department with the continuous improvement of the Quality Management System.
Keep up to date with and communicate service developments, advances and research.
Participate in and contribute to own Personal Development Review.
Ensure that safe working practices are followed in accordance with departmental Safety Policy. Be aware of and adhere to Trusts policies, including those relating to discipline, grievance, sickness, absence and health & safety
To be a training lead ambassador
Promote a learning and development culture to the improve staff skills, knowledge and competence
Delivers training and competency assessment for staff within own area
Assist in the supervision, training and teaching of staff and participate in the departments training plan
To maintain registered status as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Maintain a safe working environment
Other
The post holder will be expected to gain competence in techniques to enable participation in the delivery of 24 hour Pathology service. This entails contracted participation in a 24/7 rota and / or the out of hour rota.
The post holder will be required to work cross site locations (LGI & SJUH) if the service requires it.
This is not an exhaustive list of roles and responsibilities, and these may be subject to change with professional and service developments
Person SpecificationPerson Specification
Skills & behaviours
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
Essential
Experience
Essential
Desirable
Skills & behaviours
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
Essential
Experience
Essential
Desirable
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Address
St. James's University Hospital
Beckett Street
Leeds
LS9 7TF
Employer's website
https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Address
St. James's University Hospital
Beckett Street
Leeds
LS9 7TF
Employer's website
https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
About the company
National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.
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