Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology

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Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology

The closing date is 11 September 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

We are seeking a Band 6 Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join the Microbiology department at Bedford Hospital. Our laboratory is equipped with a comprehensive range of modern platforms, including the BioMrieux BacT/Alert Virtuo, BD MGIT, DS2, BioMrieux Vidas, Biofire Torch and FilmArray, Roche Cobas 6800, BD Max, Cepheid GeneXpert, Beckman Coulter Microscan, Stratec Gemini and the Bruker MALDI-TOF.

The service provides an extensive repertoire of investigations for Bedford Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, as well as local GP practices. The department is UKAS accredited to ISO 15189:2022 and is an IBMS-approved training laboratory.

In this role, you will work as part of a dedicated Microbiology team, delivering high-quality microbiological analysis to support accurate diagnosis and optimal patient care.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist, performing a range of microbiological techniques to support the clinical diagnosis of infectious diseases in accordance with established SOPs.

They will be expected to contribute to the delivery of training in line with the departmental training policy and to support Senior staff in maintaining a high-quality, efficient and effective service.

Once fully trained, the post holder will participate in the departmental shift rota, which includes weekend, bank-holiday and on-call duties. The service is progressing towards a 24/7 shift model.

About us

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.

Details

Date posted

28 August 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

418-BIO48713-CW

Job locations

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities.

• Work as an HCPCregistered Specialist Biomedical Scientist, contributing to the effective delivery of departmental services.

• Support the Manager and Senior Biomedical Scientists in implementing and maintaining a cohesive, wellcoordinated service in collaboration with the departments clinical lead.

• Apply the departmental quality policy and work towards achieving agreed quality objectives.

• Contribute to the implementation and maintenance of UKAS standards, using the established Pathology Quality Management System to support quality cycles and audits required for ISO 15189 compliance.

• Act as deputy for the Senior Biomedical Scientist when required.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities.

• Work as an HCPCregistered Specialist Biomedical Scientist, contributing to the effective delivery of departmental services.

• Support the Manager and Senior Biomedical Scientists in implementing and maintaining a cohesive, wellcoordinated service in collaboration with the departments clinical lead.

• Apply the departmental quality policy and work towards achieving agreed quality objectives.

• Contribute to the implementation and maintenance of UKAS standards, using the established Pathology Quality Management System to support quality cycles and audits required for ISO 15189 compliance.

• Act as deputy for the Senior Biomedical Scientist when required.

Person Specification

Personal Skills

Essential

• Excellent inter-personal skills
• Personal integrity - leading by example
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, at all levels.
• Good awareness of quality processes in Microbiology
• Document writing skills

Desirable

• Ability to analyse complex data and use information to inform judgements

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
• HCPC State Registration
• IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Medical Microbiology or equivalent, or working towards

Desirable

• Master degree or related professional health care qualification

Experience

Essential

• Significant specialist knowledge of Microbiology
• Experience of verification and validation processes
• Training of staff

Desirable

• Audit and evaluation
• On call and out of hours working
• Good knowledge of antibiotics and resiatance mechanisms
• QC management - Westgard, QC software

Person Specification

Personal Skills

Essential

• Excellent inter-personal skills
• Personal integrity - leading by example
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, at all levels.
• Good awareness of quality processes in Microbiology
• Document writing skills

Desirable

• Ability to analyse complex data and use information to inform judgements

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
• HCPC State Registration
• IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Medical Microbiology or equivalent, or working towards

Desirable

• Master degree or related professional health care qualification

Experience

Essential

• Significant specialist knowledge of Microbiology
• Experience of verification and validation processes
• Training of staff

Desirable

• Audit and evaluation
• On call and out of hours working
• Good knowledge of antibiotics and resiatance mechanisms
• QC management - Westgard, QC software

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

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Microbiology Manager

Deborah Karim

[email protected]

01234795913

Details

Date posted

28 August 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

418-BIO48713-CW

Job locations

Bedford Hospital

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

United Kingdom

Supporting documents

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