East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology

The closing date is 01 October 2025

Job summary

We are looking for 2 enthusiastic, visionary BMS with extensive Microbiology experience to join our team as a Senior Biomedical Scientist (Band 7). These are 2 full-time, substantive vacancies. Suitable candidates must be HCPC registered and hold a Level 7 qualification in a relevant subject (see JD for more details). This role requires full participation in the 7-day working and out of hours on call rotas.

The Microbiology service, centralised on one site at the William Harvey Hospital, provides a wide range of bacteriology, virology, molecular, parasitology and mycology diagnostic tests for all our acute sites and community services, totalling approximately 600,000+ samples per year.

We are a fully ISO 15189 accredited service and are recognised by the "IBMS" and the "National School for Healthcare Science" for training. We are a dynamic diverse team currently training Trainee Biomedical Scientists, Trainee Clinical Scientists, Senior and Consultant clinical scientists, Senior Clinical Fellows and apprentices at several levels.

Microbiology at EKHUFT is known for its inclusivity, support and open friendly culture. The philosophy of the department is to invest in and develop the staff, strive for excellence, and to have a forward thinking and ambitious Service and quality Improvement plan. We are supporting new and exciting career pathways and roles, such as dual registration as a clinical scientist.

Main duties of the job

KMPN: You will have a fantastic opportunity to grow your career in KMPN. We are developing a network academy, a platform for all network education and training from apprenticeships to advanced clinical and scientific qualifications with a single faculty making best use of our talented educators and trainers. You will not be expected to work at sites outside of EKHUFT. However, there will be opportunities for collaborative working within the network.

About us

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with fivehospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for roles Band 6 and above.

Details

Date posted

17 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

344-5602DCB

Job locations

William Harvey Hospital

Kennington Road

Ashford

TN24 0LZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in Documents to download.

If you have further queries please dont hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in Documents to download.

If you have further queries please dont hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Is a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist
  • Masters level (Level 7) qualification in a relevant subject, which could be a Master of Science degree (MSc) or IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or IBMS Fellowship examination or 60 credits in a postgraduate qualification(s) in relevant professional subjects.

Desirable

  • Clinical Microbiology Masters which could feed into HSST
  • Suitability for Clinical Scientist HCPC registration
  • Relevant and recognised training (Learning and development or Quality management qualification e.g. PostGrad Certificate, IBMS extended practice certificate, Biomed online learning module

Skills and Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience of working in an ISO accredited laboratory
  • Supervisory skills and ability to train other staff.
  • Specialist knowledge across a range of work procedures and practices underpinned by sound theoretical knowledge in Microbiology and Virology, molecular techniques.
  • Extensive experience with the analytical and technical skills required to undertake the work within Microbiology
  • Ability to communicate technical information and results to other health professionals and be able to use telephone and email
  • Evidence of participation in continuous professional development
  • Experience of molecular techniques
  • Highly developed IT skills and conversant with Microsoft word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications, use of LIMS

Desirable

  • Highly developed teaching and training skills, being able to effectively communicate with various grades of staff of differing intellectual abilities including medical staff and from differing professional backgrounds.

Personal & professional attributes

Essential

  • Highly developed interpersonal, communication and organisational skills with a keen eye for detail
  • Ability to work as part of a team and develop effective relationships but also able to work on own initiative
  • Highly developed interpersonal, communication and organisational skills with a keen eye for detail

Knowledge

Essential

  • Considerable and up to date knowledge of current practices and advances in Microbiology and Virology
  • Specialist knowledge across a range of work procedures and practices underpinned by sound theoretical knowledge in Microbiology and Virology, molecular techniques.
  • Understanding of general developments in the NHS and how these affect Pathology services generally.

Desirable

  • Detailed knowledge of UKAS Accreditation, ISO 15189 standards and other quality management systems and processes

Other

Essential

  • To be aware of and demonstrate the Trust's Vision, Mission, Values and behaviours.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Is a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist
  • Masters level (Level 7) qualification in a relevant subject, which could be a Master of Science degree (MSc) or IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or IBMS Fellowship examination or 60 credits in a postgraduate qualification(s) in relevant professional subjects.

Desirable

  • Clinical Microbiology Masters which could feed into HSST
  • Suitability for Clinical Scientist HCPC registration
  • Relevant and recognised training (Learning and development or Quality management qualification e.g. PostGrad Certificate, IBMS extended practice certificate, Biomed online learning module

Skills and Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience of working in an ISO accredited laboratory
  • Supervisory skills and ability to train other staff.
  • Specialist knowledge across a range of work procedures and practices underpinned by sound theoretical knowledge in Microbiology and Virology, molecular techniques.
  • Extensive experience with the analytical and technical skills required to undertake the work within Microbiology
  • Ability to communicate technical information and results to other health professionals and be able to use telephone and email
  • Evidence of participation in continuous professional development
  • Experience of molecular techniques
  • Highly developed IT skills and conversant with Microsoft word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications, use of LIMS

Desirable

  • Highly developed teaching and training skills, being able to effectively communicate with various grades of staff of differing intellectual abilities including medical staff and from differing professional backgrounds.

Personal & professional attributes

Essential

  • Highly developed interpersonal, communication and organisational skills with a keen eye for detail
  • Ability to work as part of a team and develop effective relationships but also able to work on own initiative
  • Highly developed interpersonal, communication and organisational skills with a keen eye for detail

Knowledge

Essential

  • Considerable and up to date knowledge of current practices and advances in Microbiology and Virology
  • Specialist knowledge across a range of work procedures and practices underpinned by sound theoretical knowledge in Microbiology and Virology, molecular techniques.
  • Understanding of general developments in the NHS and how these affect Pathology services generally.

Desirable

  • Detailed knowledge of UKAS Accreditation, ISO 15189 standards and other quality management systems and processes

Other

Essential

  • To be aware of and demonstrate the Trust's Vision, Mission, Values and behaviours.

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

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

William Harvey Hospital

Kennington Road

Ashford

TN24 0LZ


Employer's website

https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

William Harvey Hospital

Kennington Road

Ashford

TN24 0LZ


Employer's website

https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head Biomedical Scientist and service manager

Rachael Arkley

rachael.arkley@nhs.net

01233616760

Details

Date posted

17 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

344-5602DCB

Job locations

William Harvey Hospital

Kennington Road

Ashford

TN24 0LZ


Supporting documents

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