• Job Description

  Req#: K9919-25-0198?language=en&page=517&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  We are looking for Biomedical Scientist - Team Leaders to support our Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge. The Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge currently provides services to Addenbrooke's, Royal Papworth, and the E&N Herts Hospitals, the surrounding district, and other NHS Laboratories.

  It has active research and epidemiological interests. The laboratory undergoes assessment against UKAS ISO 15189 standards and has strong teaching interests.

  Set on the outskirts of the university city of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital is one of the top hospitals in the UK and a thriving NHS Foundation Trust. Addenbrooke's is closely associated with leading educational providers including the University of Cambridge and is a major centre for biomedical research and education.

  The department undertakes a wide range of routine and specialist microbiological and molecular investigations. It makes extensive use of automation including Qiagen platforms, Biofire, BacTec, Sedimax, MGIT, Vitek, Centaur XP, Panther, Liaison and Vidas analysers and Kiestra.

  Main duties of the job

  • Advises staff regarding technical difficulties.
  • Participates in implementing and suggesting changes to work practices and procedures.
  • Selection of appropriate test profiles for samples received according to agreed protocols.
  • Analysis of cultures, determination of antibiotic susceptibility and biomedical identification of micro-organisms
  • Performance of immunological and other assays to investigate microbial infection and management of therapeutic agents.
  • Screen and interpret test results (including those from regional specialties within the hospitals served) and communicate findings to senior colleagues and medical microbiology staff.
  • Technical validation of reports for clinical authorisation
  • Under strict protocols authorisation of reports for release to other departments, wards, general practitioners and other customers.
  • Participate in provision of out of hours on-call service (lone-working).
  • Participate in SeniorBiomedical Scientist (BMS) rotation through all sections of the department.
  • Contribute to preparation of documents and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
  • Contribute to incident and outbreak investigations
  • Participate in and support relevant Research and development (R&D) activities of the laboratory and UKHSA, including epidemiological characterisation of organisms by alternative technologies

  For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

  About us

  We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

  UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

  Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

  Details

  Date posted

  23 May 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 7

  Salary

  £46,148 to £52,809 a year Per Annum, Pro Rata

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

  Reference number

  919-CW-300895-EXT

  Job locations

  Cambridge

  Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road,

  Cambridge

  CB2 0QW

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Working as a Biomedical Scientist Team Leader, you will supervise the bench work of a team within the laboratory in processing of microbiological specimens and related tasks including isolation, identification, interpretation and reporting of results in accordance with agreed polices and standard operating procedures.

  As a member of the management team, take a specialised lead role within the department and perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with the grade.

  On a day-to-day basis you would manage and allocate work to BMS, Healthcare Science Support workers and other junior grade staff within a section of the laboratory to comply with agreed laboratory turnaround times.

  You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.

  For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

  Selection Process Details

  This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and/or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

  Essential criteria - The 15 essential criteria, you will be assessed on have been selected from the Job Description.

  • (FIBMS) Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science or equivalent
  • Registration with The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist
  • Maintains professional competence in biomedical sciences
  • Understands quality assurance principles and procedures
  • Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures
  • Relevant experience of working in a microbiology laboratory
  • Aptitude for managing people and assessing performance
  • Ability to analyse data and present it in a meaningful way
  • Computer literate
  • Ability to work individually and as part of a team
  • Ability to prioritise work in a timely manner
  • Managing staff
  • Able to convey ideas and opinions clearly, concisely, orally and in writing
  • Evidence of negotiating skills
  • Able to relate to other staff

  Stage 1: Application & Sift

  Competency-based assessments

  You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 15 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 1000-word Statement of Suitability.

  This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

  The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together

  Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

  Longlisting : In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  1. Meets all essentialcriteria
  2. Meets someessential criteria
  3. Meets no essentialcriteria

  Please note Piles 1& 2 will be carried though to shortlisting

  Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

  • (FIBMS) Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science or equivalent

  Stage 2: Interview

  (Competency based)

  You will be invited to a face-to-face interview. As a face-to-face interview isplanned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview

  Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview

  Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

  Eligibility Criteria

  External

  Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

  Location

  Role is being offered as lab working based at:Cambridge UKHSA laboratory Level 6, Pathology Dept,Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road,Cambridge,CB2 0QW

  Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

  Security Clearance Level RequirementSuccessful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

  Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check (CTC)

  For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requiresCounter Terrorism Check (CTC).

  UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Working as a Biomedical Scientist Team Leader, you will supervise the bench work of a team within the laboratory in processing of microbiological specimens and related tasks including isolation, identification, interpretation and reporting of results in accordance with agreed polices and standard operating procedures.

  As a member of the management team, take a specialised lead role within the department and perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with the grade.

  On a day-to-day basis you would manage and allocate work to BMS, Healthcare Science Support workers and other junior grade staff within a section of the laboratory to comply with agreed laboratory turnaround times.

  You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.

  For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

  Selection Process Details

  This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and/or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

  Essential criteria - The 15 essential criteria, you will be assessed on have been selected from the Job Description.

  • (FIBMS) Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science or equivalent
  • Registration with The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist
  • Maintains professional competence in biomedical sciences
  • Understands quality assurance principles and procedures
  • Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures
  • Relevant experience of working in a microbiology laboratory
  • Aptitude for managing people and assessing performance
  • Ability to analyse data and present it in a meaningful way
  • Computer literate
  • Ability to work individually and as part of a team
  • Ability to prioritise work in a timely manner
  • Managing staff
  • Able to convey ideas and opinions clearly, concisely, orally and in writing
  • Evidence of negotiating skills
  • Able to relate to other staff

  Stage 1: Application & Sift

  Competency-based assessments

  You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 15 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 1000-word Statement of Suitability.

  This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

  The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together

  Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

  Longlisting : In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  1. Meets all essentialcriteria
  2. Meets someessential criteria
  3. Meets no essentialcriteria

  Please note Piles 1& 2 will be carried though to shortlisting

  Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

  • (FIBMS) Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science or equivalent

  Stage 2: Interview

  (Competency based)

  You will be invited to a face-to-face interview. As a face-to-face interview isplanned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview

  Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview

  Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

  Eligibility Criteria

  External

  Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

  Location

  Role is being offered as lab working based at:Cambridge UKHSA laboratory Level 6, Pathology Dept,Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road,Cambridge,CB2 0QW

  Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

  Security Clearance Level RequirementSuccessful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

  Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check (CTC)

  For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requiresCounter Terrorism Check (CTC).

  UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

  Person Specification

  Application Form & Statement of Suitablity

  Essential

  • Application Form & Statement of Suitablity

  Interview

  Essential

  • Questions on experience, knowledge and skills

  Person Specification

  Application Form & Statement of Suitablity

  Essential

  • Application Form & Statement of Suitablity

  Interview

  Essential

  • Questions on experience, knowledge and skills

  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.

  Certificate of Sponsorship

  Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

  From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Additional information

  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.

  Certificate of Sponsorship

  Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

  From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Employer details

  Employer name

  UK Health Security Agency

  Address

  Cambridge

  Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road,

  Cambridge

  CB2 0QW

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  UK Health Security Agency

  Address

  Cambridge

  Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road,

  Cambridge

  CB2 0QW

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (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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