Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, suitably qualified HCPC registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist to work within the Microbiology and Virology Department, based at the Freeman Hospital.
The successful candidate will join a large progressive team of healthcare professionals. We require enthusiastic and flexible individuals who work to the highest professional standards.
Applicants should be highly motivated, have an accredited degree in Biomedical Sciences and have completed the IBMS Specialist Diploma (or equivalent qualifications).
- Interview Date: 19th August 2025
- 37 hours 30 minutes/week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
The post involves investigating samples for the detection of a range of pathogens in order to diagnose infection to support patient management. Future personal development will be actively encouraged.
The post holder will perform microscopic analysis of samples, interpret bacterial culture results, use automated testing platforms, liaise will medical colleagues and document results in the laboratory information management system (LIMS). The post holder must be flexible to the needs of the service and will be required to participate in the out-of-hours rotas when fully competent.
About us
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospital
o Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
o Newcastle Dental Hospital
o Newcastle Fertility Centre
o Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
o Northern Genetics Service
o Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
The department of Microbiology and Virology plays a pivotal role in the provision of diagnostic services, which are essential for the delivery of high quality clinical care, both within the Trust and in Primary Care.
The post holder will act as an experienced and specialist registered Biomedical Scientist to provide comprehensive service as an aid to effective diagnosis and treatment. They will confirm analytical and technical validity of investigations, liaising with medical staff to ensure diagnostically abnormal results are acted upon urgently.
Responsibilities:
- The post holder will rotate through different sections of Microbiology and Virology as required.
- Perform analytical and other laboratory work as directed by senior staff with Microbiology and Virology.
- Ensure data integrity when entering patient demographics and results into the laboratory information system.
- Perform microscopical examinations on a variety of samples, identifying any abnormal results and taking appropriate actions.
- Use judgement and specialist knowledge to decide on possible significant pathogens, identify micro-organisms, perform antibiotic susceptibility tests, validate and report results, add interpretive comments and initiate any further tests that may be required.
- Process blood and serum samples by automated or manual methods, analysing and reporting results and interpretive comments.
- To bring any significant or aberrant results to the attention of the departmental senior staff, Medical staff and Infection Prevention & Control Nurses as appropriate.
- To provide technical advice to Medical and Infection Prevention & Control staff regarding the results obtained.
- Operate subject to manufacturers constraints and laboratory policy, instrument and analysers in the laboratory.
- Troubleshoot, repair and maintain instruments for correct operation, keeping equipment in optimal condition for use, making adjustments as necessary.
- Participate in the department Quality Assurance programmes and to report any non-compliant events to a senior member of staff.
- Adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances.
- Maintain an up to date relevant knowledge of the technical aspects of the laboratory.
- Continually improve service by, when necessary, contributing to the development of SOPs or undertaking evaluations.
- In the absence of the Section Leader supervise work of the section.
- Assist Section Leaders in organisation of work within a subsection of microbiology and virology.
- In the absence of the Section Leader ensure adequate stock of reagents and consumables.
- Supervise, teach and train students, unqualified staff, Specialist Registrars or visitors, and to cover for absent colleagues.
- Participate in relevant audit under the supervision and of guidance of Advanced Biomedical Scientist.
- Participate in Microbiology on-call rotas when sufficiently trained. The post holder will be required to provide cover for Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday duties in the department.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The department of Microbiology and Virology plays a pivotal role in the provision of diagnostic services, which are essential for the delivery of high quality clinical care, both within the Trust and in Primary Care.
The post holder will act as an experienced and specialist registered Biomedical Scientist to provide comprehensive service as an aid to effective diagnosis and treatment. They will confirm analytical and technical validity of investigations, liaising with medical staff to ensure diagnostically abnormal results are acted upon urgently.
Responsibilities:
- The post holder will rotate through different sections of Microbiology and Virology as required.
- Perform analytical and other laboratory work as directed by senior staff with Microbiology and Virology.
- Ensure data integrity when entering patient demographics and results into the laboratory information system.
- Perform microscopical examinations on a variety of samples, identifying any abnormal results and taking appropriate actions.
- Use judgement and specialist knowledge to decide on possible significant pathogens, identify micro-organisms, perform antibiotic susceptibility tests, validate and report results, add interpretive comments and initiate any further tests that may be required.
- Process blood and serum samples by automated or manual methods, analysing and reporting results and interpretive comments.
- To bring any significant or aberrant results to the attention of the departmental senior staff, Medical staff and Infection Prevention & Control Nurses as appropriate.
- To provide technical advice to Medical and Infection Prevention & Control staff regarding the results obtained.
- Operate subject to manufacturers constraints and laboratory policy, instrument and analysers in the laboratory.
- Troubleshoot, repair and maintain instruments for correct operation, keeping equipment in optimal condition for use, making adjustments as necessary.
- Participate in the department Quality Assurance programmes and to report any non-compliant events to a senior member of staff.
- Adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances.
- Maintain an up to date relevant knowledge of the technical aspects of the laboratory.
- Continually improve service by, when necessary, contributing to the development of SOPs or undertaking evaluations.
- In the absence of the Section Leader supervise work of the section.
- Assist Section Leaders in organisation of work within a subsection of microbiology and virology.
- In the absence of the Section Leader ensure adequate stock of reagents and consumables.
- Supervise, teach and train students, unqualified staff, Specialist Registrars or visitors, and to cover for absent colleagues.
- Participate in relevant audit under the supervision and of guidance of Advanced Biomedical Scientist.
- Participate in Microbiology on-call rotas when sufficiently trained. The post holder will be required to provide cover for Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday duties in the department.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- In depth knowledge of clinical microbiology or virology
- Participates in continuous professional development
- Knowledge of laboratory health and safety
- Knowledge to operate highly complex microbiology or virology equipment
- Knowledge of UKAS, HSE and quality systems in a diagnostic laboratory
Skills
Essential
- Ability to apply knowledge to laboratory problems
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Good organisational skills
- IT skills and keyboard skills
- Broad based and specialised technical skills in microbiology or virology
- Good judgement and ability to problem solve
- Ability to prioritise work
Desirable
- Troubleshooting skills
- Analytical and technical problem
- Leadership skills
- Additional responsibilities i.e. H&S, manual handling, first aid, quality
- Continuous improvement methodologies
Experience
Essential
- Previous post HCPC registration experience in NHS clinical microbiology or virology laboratory
Desirable
- Previous experience of organisational change
- QI or Lean Management Projects
- IBMS portfolio verifier
- Mentorship
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc Biomedical Science Degree or equivalent qualification
- Registered with the HCPC
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS) Specialist Portfolio, IBMS Diploma of Specialist Practice, Councils for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM) Log Book or equivalent qualification
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- In depth knowledge of clinical microbiology or virology
- Participates in continuous professional development
- Knowledge of laboratory health and safety
- Knowledge to operate highly complex microbiology or virology equipment
- Knowledge of UKAS, HSE and quality systems in a diagnostic laboratory
Skills
Essential
- Ability to apply knowledge to laboratory problems
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Good organisational skills
- IT skills and keyboard skills
- Broad based and specialised technical skills in microbiology or virology
- Good judgement and ability to problem solve
- Ability to prioritise work
Desirable
- Troubleshooting skills
- Analytical and technical problem
- Leadership skills
- Additional responsibilities i.e. H&S, manual handling, first aid, quality
- Continuous improvement methodologies
Experience
Essential
- Previous post HCPC registration experience in NHS clinical microbiology or virology laboratory
Desirable
- Previous experience of organisational change
- QI or Lean Management Projects
- IBMS portfolio verifier
- Mentorship
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc Biomedical Science Degree or equivalent qualification
- Registered with the HCPC
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS) Specialist Portfolio, IBMS Diploma of Specialist Practice, Councils for Professions Supplementary to Medicine (CPSM) Log Book or equivalent qualification
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.
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.
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).
