Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for a well-motivated individual to work in our Microbiology and Virology Department as a Registered Biomedical Scientist.
Applicants must have an accredited degree in Biomedical Science, be registered with the HCPC or be working towards such status and be eager to learn and participate in continuous professional development. Candidates should ideally have experience in Microbiology and/or Virology.
Applications for a Trainee BMS position will be considered from candidates with an IBMS accredited Biomedical Sciences degree. The successful applicant will be expected to undertake a period of on the job training whilst completing an IBMS Registration Training Portfolio, which will result in the award of an IBMS Certificate of Competence on successful verification. Typically, this will take approximately 12 months to achieve and will enable application for HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist. During this period the trainee will be placed on Annex 21 at 75% of Band 5.
- Interview Date 26th January 2026
- 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
As a biomedical scientist, you will utilise scientific knowledge and technical skills to investigate a wide variety of patient samples to detect bacterial and viral pathogens . You will use both manual bacteriology methods, automation such as ROCHE Flow molecular systems and a wide range of stand alone serology platforms. You will primarily be expected to work in one of the 4 core sections Bacteriology, Serology, Molecular or TB, however there may be opportunities to rotate through all sections of the laboratory depending on service need. You will work closely with department medical/infection prevention and control/health protection teams to contribute to delivery of high quality patient care.
Applicants will be required to participate in out of hour's service once trained.
The Microbiology & Virology team processes 1.8 million samples per year from patients within the Newcastle Hospitals Trust and wider Newcastle area. The department also acts as a regional reference laboratory for specialist testing such as TB and Mycology and is part of the North East North Cumbria ICB Pathology Alliance. The department is UKAS accredited ISO 15189 (2022) and is IBMS and National School of Healthcare Science accredited for training, with participation in CPD being actively encouraged.
About us
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.
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 is made up of several specialist sections and the post holder will normally rotate between them and participate as part of a team, in providing Microbiology and Virology laboratory support to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners and other legitimate users of the service.
- Procedures will be carried out without supervision under the guidance of an Advanced Biomedical Scientist. The post holder will be required to evaluate situations and seek advice from senior members of staff if deemed appropriate.
Responsibilities
- To undertake the reception, sorting, numbering, booking in and preparation of Microbiology and Virology samples for analysis, including interpretation of clinical details and deciding which investigations are most appropriate.
- To inoculate and incubate culture plates, analyse cultures, decide on possible significant pathogens, identify micro-organisms, perform antibiotic susceptibility tests, validate and report results and interpretive comments using judgement in determining and initiating further tests that may be required.
- To perform microscopical examinations on a variety of samples, identifying any abnormal results and taking appropriate actions.
- To 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 Team as appropriate.
- To provide specialist technical advice to Medical and Infection Prevention & Control Team regarding the results obtained.
- To actively participate in the maintenance and basic trouble shooting of automated laboratory equipment, report any faults and non-compliances to a senior member of staff and take prompt and appropriate action in response to unexpected situations.
- To participate in the department Quality Assurance programmes and to report any non-compliant events to a senior member of staff.
- To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for you, colleagues and visitors. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to a senior member of staff.
- To supervise, teach and train students, unqualified staff, Specialist Registrars or visitors, and to cover for absent colleagues.
- The Registered BMS will participate in Microbiology out of hours rotas when sufficiently experienced. They will be asked to provide cover for Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday duties in the department as required.
- The Registered BMS will be expected to be competent to take part in on-call working, and will be required to provide out of hours cover during the week, at weekends and also Bank Holidays.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- The department of Microbiology and Virology is made up of several specialist sections and the post holder will normally rotate between them and participate as part of a team, in providing Microbiology and Virology laboratory support to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners and other legitimate users of the service.
- Procedures will be carried out without supervision under the guidance of an Advanced Biomedical Scientist. The post holder will be required to evaluate situations and seek advice from senior members of staff if deemed appropriate.
Responsibilities
- To undertake the reception, sorting, numbering, booking in and preparation of Microbiology and Virology samples for analysis, including interpretation of clinical details and deciding which investigations are most appropriate.
- To inoculate and incubate culture plates, analyse cultures, decide on possible significant pathogens, identify micro-organisms, perform antibiotic susceptibility tests, validate and report results and interpretive comments using judgement in determining and initiating further tests that may be required.
- To perform microscopical examinations on a variety of samples, identifying any abnormal results and taking appropriate actions.
- To 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 Team as appropriate.
- To provide specialist technical advice to Medical and Infection Prevention & Control Team regarding the results obtained.
- To actively participate in the maintenance and basic trouble shooting of automated laboratory equipment, report any faults and non-compliances to a senior member of staff and take prompt and appropriate action in response to unexpected situations.
- To participate in the department Quality Assurance programmes and to report any non-compliant events to a senior member of staff.
- To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment for you, colleagues and visitors. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to a senior member of staff.
- To supervise, teach and train students, unqualified staff, Specialist Registrars or visitors, and to cover for absent colleagues.
- The Registered BMS will participate in Microbiology out of hours rotas when sufficiently experienced. They will be asked to provide cover for Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday duties in the department as required.
- The Registered BMS will be expected to be competent to take part in on-call working, and will be required to provide out of hours cover during the week, at weekends and also Bank Holidays.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- BSc in Biomedical Sciences or other subject approved by IBMS & / or accredited by HCPC or working towards said qualifications
- Health & Care Professions Council registration as BMS (or commencing pathway to becoming State Registered)
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Able to organise and prioritise own work activities
- Communication skills
- Analytical and judgemental skills
- Planning and organisational skills
Desirable
- Keyboard skills and some technical skills.
- Additional responsibilities e.g. manual handling, first aid
- Awareness of the role of Healthcare Science Practitioner / Biomedical Scientists
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- CPD
- Computer literacy
- Familiarity with Health & Safety and COSHH
- NHS Laboratory Experience
Desirable
- Specialist training courses
- Knowledge of the role of microbiology and/or virology
- Aware of ISO 15189 and evidence of its importance
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- BSc in Biomedical Sciences or other subject approved by IBMS & / or accredited by HCPC or working towards said qualifications
- Health & Care Professions Council registration as BMS (or commencing pathway to becoming State Registered)
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Able to organise and prioritise own work activities
- Communication skills
- Analytical and judgemental skills
- Planning and organisational skills
Desirable
- Keyboard skills and some technical skills.
- Additional responsibilities e.g. manual handling, first aid
- Awareness of the role of Healthcare Science Practitioner / Biomedical Scientists
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- CPD
- Computer literacy
- Familiarity with Health & Safety and COSHH
- NHS Laboratory Experience
Desirable
- Specialist training courses
- Knowledge of the role of microbiology and/or virology
- Aware of ISO 15189 and evidence of its importance
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).
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