Job overview
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has re-designed its Pathology services with new state-of-the art equipment and new laboratory, and with a new Lab Info Management System being installed later this year. An opportunity for a Specialist Biomedical Scientist within the field of Microbiology is now available.
The post holder will be highly skilled in microbiological investigations, techniques and instrumentation.
The individual will be expected to apply professional judgement and utilise specialist skills and knowledge to provide a timely result service to the clinician. The individual will be committed to formally maintaining their specialist skills and knowledge by appropriate training and self-education.
The post holder will enjoy supporting the development and training of registered BMS and associate practitioner colleagues and play an active role in maintaining high standards of quality management, as well as taking a lead role in a specific responsibility commensurate with a band 6 role.
Main duties of the job
• Responsible for contributing to the diagnosis, treatment, and clinical care of the patient.
• The work involves the examination and processing of a wide range of samples submitted for diagnostic and screening purposes.
• A wide range of techniques are performed to detect and identify pathogenic micro-organisms. Further techniques are employed to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of significant bacteria. Methods are also employed to detect viral infections and immunity.
• Maintain competence to work unsupervised in the laboratory and rotate through sections within the department in order to develop a multi-skilled and flexible approach.
• Use knowledge and experience to select, perform, interpret, report, and validate appropriate laboratory tests.
• Participate in all required internal and external quality assurance schemes, following Quality Assurance procedures, recording results, and taking appropriate action if quality falls outside of acceptable limits, performing audits, raising and managing non-conformances and document reviews.
• Assess suitability of samples for testing and provide appropriate technical advice concerning sample collection and testing methods to health professionals.
• Assist in the supervision and training of other laboratory staff.
• Ensure correct stock control and documentation of consumables.
• Participate in the on-call, late night, and weekend rota.
Working for our organisation
Our vision is to provide outstanding care for every patient. Patient care is at the heart of what we do at our three sites: Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and Andover War Memorial Hospital. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides medical and surgical services to a population of approximately 600,000 people across Hampshire and parts of West Berkshire.
Our cultural ambition is to have a culture that places people at the heart of all we do, where we all belong, and where learning, improvement and excellence thrive.
We provide specialist services to people across the UK and internationally. We are one of only two centres in the UK treating pseudomyxoma peritonei (a rare form of abdominal cancer) and we are leaders in the field of tertiary liver cancer and colorectal cancer.
The trust employs more than 9,000 staff and has a turnover of over £500 million a year. As a Foundation Trust, we are directly accountable to our members through the governors. The Council of Governors represent the interests of their constituencies and influence the future plans of the Foundation Trust.
Tackling Climate Change: Hampshire Hospitals aims to embed sustainability and net zero carbon principles into the delivery of care across all its services. To find out more, search or .
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Biomedical Science Degree or equivalent
2. State registration with the Health Professions Council
3. Experience in UK Microbiology, Virology, Molecular lab
Desirable criteria
4. IBMS Specialist Diploma in Medical Microbiology or equivalent
5. Membership of a professional body
6. MSC or equivalent Specialist Qualification - Higher Specialist Diploma
Experience & Knowledge
Essential criteria
7. Knowledge of Microbiology, acquired by lab experience.
8. Working in a diagnostic laboratory at Specialist BMS level.
9. Working knowledge of UKAS ISO 15189:2022 standards
Desirable criteria
10. Experience of performing on-call duties
11. Experience in quality assurance processes
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
12. Able to communicate complex information clearly and professionally to other Healthcare Professionals.
13. Able to work under pressure, meet deadline and targets, individually and as part of a team.
Desirable criteria
14. Ability to train and impart their skills and knowledge to other colleagues & trainees.
15. Knowledge and use of computer skills such as Word, Excel, and Power Point.