Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are looking for a Band 7 Senior Biomedical Scientist to join the award winning Microbiology team at Dorset County Hospital.

An enthusiasm and interest for all areas of Microbiology, including bacteriology, virology, parasitology and mycology is required. The successful candidate will lead the bacteriology section of the laboratory with their specialist knowledge.

Main duties of the job

  • To produce accurate and timely Microbiology results from clinical samples in accordance with the policies, protocols and quality standards.
  • To ensure that clinically significant and urgent results are dealt with in a timely fashion.
  • To be able to rotate around all areas of the laboratory, including serology.
  • To provide specialist advice to clinicians about the appropriateness of tests and turnaround times.
  • Update documentation (SOPs, bench guides, risk assessments) using specialist microbiology knowledge and expertise.
  • To participate in the Microbiology out-of-hours service.

The post holder will work with the other members of the department to maintain and develop a quality, timely and patient focused Microbiology service for the local population. The Department follows a 7 day working roster which the post holder will be expected to support including the on-call rota. This is an exciting time to join the pathology team in Dorset. We are currently making great progress with our vision to create a first class integrated pathology service for Dorset.

About us

At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.

Our Mission is to work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be at their best. Our vision is healthier lives, empowered citizens, thriving communities.

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.

We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role. Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.

UKVI Sponsorship: This role is eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). We welcome applications from individuals who require sponsorship to work in the UK. Sponsorship will be offered subject to meeting UKVI eligibility criteria.

Details

Date posted

08 December 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

Reference number

405-25-HS553MIC

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Job description

Job responsibilities

Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.

Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.

For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.

Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.

For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.

Person Specification

Education Qualifications and Training

Essential

  • MSc in a Biomedical Science subject, specialising in Microbiology (or working towards) or equivalent
  • BSc (Hons) BMS or equivalent
  • HCPC Registered BMS
  • Documented evidence of ongoing CPD

Desirable

  • Willing to pursue further qualifications and career development

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Extensive Medical Microbiology experience (minimum of 3 years post HCPC registration) as a Specialist BMS working, particularly on a range of Bacteriology/Fungal benches.
  • Good working knowledge of laboratory information and management systems
  • Demonstrable skills of problem solving
  • Detailed knowledge of standard IT applications and software e.g. word processing and spreadsheets
  • Good working knowledge of working out of core hours.

Desirable

  • Experience of validation/verification processes applicable to ISO15189, including associated IT systems

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Detailed knowledge of theoretical and practical laboratory procedures within Microbiology. Particularly in techniques and equipment at Dorset County Hospital
  • Comprehensive understanding of quality control/ quality assurance procedures and their place in the Management System
  • Able to provide and receive complex information and to provide advice and training to other members of the team
  • Able to work under pressure; prioritise and allocate work within tight deadlines.
  • Ability to lead, influence and motivate.
  • Flexible approach to working that responds to the needs of the service.
  • Experience of clinical governance, audit, risk, and root cause analysis including a basic understanding of statistical tools and methods.

Desirable

  • Understanding of basic management practice.
  • Understanding of working in a modern Microbiology lab and the application of Lean/Six Sigma/5 S methodology.
Person Specification

Education Qualifications and Training

Essential

  • MSc in a Biomedical Science subject, specialising in Microbiology (or working towards) or equivalent
  • BSc (Hons) BMS or equivalent
  • HCPC Registered BMS
  • Documented evidence of ongoing CPD

Desirable

  • Willing to pursue further qualifications and career development

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Extensive Medical Microbiology experience (minimum of 3 years post HCPC registration) as a Specialist BMS working, particularly on a range of Bacteriology/Fungal benches.
  • Good working knowledge of laboratory information and management systems
  • Demonstrable skills of problem solving
  • Detailed knowledge of standard IT applications and software e.g. word processing and spreadsheets
  • Good working knowledge of working out of core hours.

Desirable

  • Experience of validation/verification processes applicable to ISO15189, including associated IT systems

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Detailed knowledge of theoretical and practical laboratory procedures within Microbiology. Particularly in techniques and equipment at Dorset County Hospital
  • Comprehensive understanding of quality control/ quality assurance procedures and their place in the Management System
  • Able to provide and receive complex information and to provide advice and training to other members of the team
  • Able to work under pressure; prioritise and allocate work within tight deadlines.
  • Ability to lead, influence and motivate.
  • Flexible approach to working that responds to the needs of the service.
  • Experience of clinical governance, audit, risk, and root cause analysis including a basic understanding of statistical tools and methods.

Desirable

  • Understanding of basic management practice.
  • Understanding of working in a modern Microbiology lab and the application of Lean/Six Sigma/5 S methodology.

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

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Microbiology

Gareth Rees

gareth.rees@dchft.nhs.uk

01305253128

Details

Date posted

08 December 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

Reference number

405-25-HS553MIC

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)