Main area Microbiology Grade Band 7 Contract Permanent: The laboratory is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. The post holder will be expected to work all shifts. Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (The laboratory is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Shifts are allocated on a rotational basis, participation is required for this post.) Job ref 225-BCPS-7219102
Employer The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site New Cross Hospital Town Wolverhampton Salary £46,148 - £52,809 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 08/07/2025 12:00 Interview date 07/08/2025
Biomedical Scientist Section Manager
Band 7
Job overview
We are seeking a dynamic, pro-active and highly driven Section Manager to join our team. The key element of this role is being laboratory based supporting the Biomedical Scientist team to deliver an excellent diagnostic service through the completion of accurate and effective investigations.
The post holder must have an in depth clinical bacteriology knowledge, including but not limited to organism identification and antibiotic susceptibility knowledge.
As a Biomedical Scientist Section Manager the post holder will be responsible for the delegated tasks required for the delivery of a clinical technical service that will achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care. They will be expected to lead and work as part of a team within the laboratory, performing the work to the required standards. They will be expected to act as line manager for members of the team, ensuring staff wellbeing and morale is supported at all times.
Diagnostic work includes examination of cerebrospinal fluid, peritoneal dialysis fluid, urine, faeces, sputum, blood/serum, pus and diverse secretions. Investigations include for example, serological assays for HIV and Hepatitis B, identification of micro-organisms, lice, fleas and films for identification of intestinal parasites.
Main duties of the job
To be an efficient and flexible member of the Pathology team providing a consistently high quality and professional service to all users of the service.
Key Result Areas:
To provide specialist knowledge and training to the Biomedical Scientist team to support complex laboratory investigations.
To provide and co-ordinate specialist clinical technical services to patients that may include research and audit samples.
To undertake the day-to-day management of a section within the laboratory under the direction of the line manager.
Contributes to providing a professional clinical laboratory service, working effectively as a team member as part of the overall department.
To provide the necessary training and supervision to staff within the section.
Working for our organisation
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the West Midlands providing primary, acute and community services and we are incredibly proud of the diversity of both our staff and the communities we serve. We are building a workforce that can help us to fulfil our values, improve the quality of care for patients, and solve the health care problems of tomorrow. We’re passionate about the value that diversity of thinking and lived experience brings in enabling us to become a learning organisation and leader in delivering compassionate care for our patients.
We are delighted that we have been rated as “Good” by CQC. We have achieved numerous awards; The Nursing Times Best Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Best UK Employer of the Year for Nursing Staff in 2020.
The Trust is a supportive working environment committed to creating flexible working arrangements that suit your needs and as such will consider all requests from applicants who wish to work flexibly.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To be proficient in all designated areas of diagnostic work within the department and to provide a comprehensive and appropriate laboratory service to patients and staff.
To undertake a wide range of diagnostic tests and screening procedures through to initial interpretation.
To ensure that test procedures are carried out according to SOPs, assess that other junior staff are competent and participate in their regular review and update.
To undertake technical validation of highly complex results from laboratory investigations to ensure accuracy and precision as specified by laboratory protocols.
To measure and monitor the accuracy and precision of laboratory investigations using appropriate quality control procedures.
To carry out corrective action when quality control and assurance procedures indicate loss of performance.
Ensure that documentation is maintained to the Trust standard (including electronic records).
T o identify and report clinical risks so that appropriate action can be taken in accordance with the Trust risk management policy.
To plan, prioritise and supervise the scientific workload of a section on a day-to-day basis.
To provide a comprehensive and appropriate laboratory service to patients and staff.
To possess highly developed, advanced specialist scientific skills.
To ensure that the laboratory standard operational and health & safety policies are understood and carried out by all staff.
Responsible for the maintenance, condition, quality control and record keeping of instruments and equipment associated with the section.
Adaptation to new methodology or working practices when required, due to changing circumstances.
To contribute towards a culture of quality in the department and to comply and promote the quality initiatives within the department consistent with the requirements of accrediting and regulatory bodies.
To support all diagnostic procedures provided by the department.
Participation in and facilitation of Quality Assurance and Audit within the section.
To be proactive in the updating and generation of standard operating procedures.
See the attached job description for full details and responsibilities.
Person specification
* Evidence of successful completion of IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Microbiology
* Evidence of post degree qualification e.g. MSc Biomedical Science or IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma in Microbiology.
* Evidence of substantial experience and employment within an NHS Microbiology Laboratory.
* Please provide an example of when you have led a validation / verfication project and the role you played.
* Please provide evidence of how you have led a team, how you support them and manage any issues.
* Please share details of your knowledge and expertise related to your technical ability working in bacteriology.
Flexible Working - As a major employer in the Black Country and West Birmingham region we are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance. We want the Black Country and West Birmingham region to be the best place to work and as such will consider all requests to work flexibly taking into account personal and individual circumstances alongside the needs of the service. We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the Recruiting Manager as part of the on-boarding process.
Qualifications - Please be advised that if the post that you are applying for requires any level of qualification (e.g. A-Levels, Degree etc) or Professional Registration (e.g. Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Medical Council etc) you will be required to provide proof as part of the pre-employment process. By submitting your application you are giving the Trust permission to check the qualification certificates provided back to the source provider. Please note that a sample of all applicant’s qualifications will be checked with the educational institution or provider. Furthermore, a sample of all applicants’ qualifications will be checked back to the educational institution or provider to interview letters to further deter fraud.
Sponsorship - Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. As of 1 January 2021, free movement ended and the UK introduced a points-based immigration system. Further information is available regarding two types of visa; Health Care Visa https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/your-job and Skilled worker visa https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa .
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