Job summary
We are seeking energetic, enthusiastic, and motivated HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientists (Band 5 or 6) to join our busy Bacteriology Department within Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services.
Our laboratories are equipped with modern, automated technology including Kiestra, MALDI-TOF, and PCR platforms, offering an exciting and innovative working environment. We are fully accredited with UKAS ISO 15189 and hold HCPC training status, giving you excellent opportunities for career progression and professional development.
What we're looking for:
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HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist
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Completion of, or working towards, the IBMS Specialist Portfolio (or equivalent)
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Commitment to continuous learning, embracing new ways of working and developing specialist skills
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Flexibility to participate in a full shift rota, including early/late shifts, weekends, bank holidays, and on-call duties
What we offer:
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The opportunity to work across a dynamic, multi-site service (Frimley Park, Wexham Park, and Heatherwood)
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A supportive environment for career development, with structured training and mentorship
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Experience across all sections of the Bacteriology laboratory through rotational working
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The chance to be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking team
If you are an ambitious and motivated Biomedical Scientist, ready to contribute to high standards of patient care and laboratory excellence, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
- To perform the diagnostic microbiology examination and reporting of specimens received in order to aid patient treatment and care.
- To use interpretive skills on culture plates and complex analysers combined with the Laboratory Information Management Computer System in order to deliver the diagnostic microbiology service to our users.
- The diagnostic work of the department includes processing, for example, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, faeces, sputum, tissues and diverse secretions. Processed samples are then interpreted for the presence of pathogens, these could be bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic
About us
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.
Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.
We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.
Frimley Health Trust benefits on Vimeo
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To participate in the analytical work of all aspects of the microbiology department to ensure that the most efficient microbiology service is provided for the users of the department.
- To work as part of the team, or independently, processing specimens and producing accurate relevant diagnostic results, by the interpretation of clinical information and specimen type against the organisms isolated or detected.
- To initiate and interpret microscopy examinations, complex biochemical profiles, agglutination patterns and antibiotic sensitivity patterns as necessary.
- To make judgements and initiate follow up tests as required.
- To authorise diagnostic results using judgement and departmental guidelines ensuring they are correct, complete and clear and are within the departmental guidelines.
- To refer to more senior Scientific/ Medical staff as required.
- To use in depth knowledge and skills to communicate with colleagues regarding investigations to be undertaken and to communicate with clinicians and other users tests to be performed and interpretation of results.
- To be responsible to the Lead BMS for maintaining good standards of discipline, dress, timekeeping and behaviour of subordinate staff.
- To discuss with staff the expected outcomes of training and development activities prior to training events and afterwards to discuss actual outcomes.
- To assist staff to transfer, develop and use the new skills acquired.
- To participate in the audit of quality control measures within the department and to present this data to the Lead BMS in a timely fashion.
- For more information please review the attached job description and person specification
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To participate in the analytical work of all aspects of the microbiology department to ensure that the most efficient microbiology service is provided for the users of the department.
- To work as part of the team, or independently, processing specimens and producing accurate relevant diagnostic results, by the interpretation of clinical information and specimen type against the organisms isolated or detected.
- To initiate and interpret microscopy examinations, complex biochemical profiles, agglutination patterns and antibiotic sensitivity patterns as necessary.
- To make judgements and initiate follow up tests as required.
- To authorise diagnostic results using judgement and departmental guidelines ensuring they are correct, complete and clear and are within the departmental guidelines.
- To refer to more senior Scientific/ Medical staff as required.
- To use in depth knowledge and skills to communicate with colleagues regarding investigations to be undertaken and to communicate with clinicians and other users tests to be performed and interpretation of results.
- To be responsible to the Lead BMS for maintaining good standards of discipline, dress, timekeeping and behaviour of subordinate staff.
- To discuss with staff the expected outcomes of training and development activities prior to training events and afterwards to discuss actual outcomes.
- To assist staff to transfer, develop and use the new skills acquired.
- To participate in the audit of quality control measures within the department and to present this data to the Lead BMS in a timely fashion.
- For more information please review the attached job description and person specification
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered BMS, registered with HCPC
- BSc Hons degree
- Has completed either the IBMS Specialist Portfolio or the IBMS Specialist Diploma in Microbiology
- Willing to undergo relevant training to ensure sound relevant knowledge
Desirable
- Higher degree or Post Graduate Diploma
- BSc Hons IBMS accredited degree
- IBMS member at member level
- Evidence of CPD
Experience
Essential
- Experienced team member
- Experience of most areas of diagnostic microbiology
- Good interpretive skills at bench level
- Able to perform technically advanced procedures where applicable
- Able to provide judgment on a range of complex problems
Desirable
- Experience of training trainee and MLA staff
- Molecular biology technical expertise
- Able of organize workload of less qualified staff
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Good at multi-tasking
- Well organised
- Able to plan day to day organization of area of work
- Able to communicate complex information to clinicians and other users to advise on tests performed and results obtained
- Able to use and maintain equipment
Desirable
- IT literate
- Lateral thinking
- Committed to working in healthcare environment
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered BMS, registered with HCPC
- BSc Hons degree
- Has completed either the IBMS Specialist Portfolio or the IBMS Specialist Diploma in Microbiology
- Willing to undergo relevant training to ensure sound relevant knowledge
Desirable
- Higher degree or Post Graduate Diploma
- BSc Hons IBMS accredited degree
- IBMS member at member level
- Evidence of CPD
Experience
Essential
- Experienced team member
- Experience of most areas of diagnostic microbiology
- Good interpretive skills at bench level
- Able to perform technically advanced procedures where applicable
- Able to provide judgment on a range of complex problems
Desirable
- Experience of training trainee and MLA staff
- Molecular biology technical expertise
- Able of organize workload of less qualified staff
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Good at multi-tasking
- Well organised
- Able to plan day to day organization of area of work
- Able to communicate complex information to clinicians and other users to advise on tests performed and results obtained
- Able to use and maintain equipment
Desirable
- IT literate
- Lateral thinking
- Committed to working in healthcare environment
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
