Main area Infectious Sciences Grade NHS Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Core hours 08:30 - 17:00 Monday to Sunday. Late shift 12:30 - 20:00. On-call, Monday - Friday 19:30 - 08:30, On-call, Saturday & Sunday 17:00 - 08:30) Job ref J206-RAF-179
Employer Integrated Pathology Partnership Limited Employer type Private Sector Site Southwest Pathology Services Town Taunton Salary £39,959 to £48,117 per annum depending on experience Closing 17/06/2026 23:59
Specialist Biomedical Scientist
NHS Band 6
The place to work in pathology
We are looking fortop talentto join theUK’s leading and fastest growing pathology company – a scientific organisation with a clinical purpose.
Job overview
Southwest Pathology Services (SPS) is seeking a highly motivated and organised individual, with HCPC registration and IBMS Specialist Portfolio to join our friendly Microbiology team. Applicants can earn up to £48,117 per annum depending on qualifications and experience and subject to agreement, may be entitled to a £10,000 welcome bonus.
You will be based within the Infectious Sciences laboratory (including Bacteriology, Parasitology, Virology, Molecular and Mycology), there will be a requirement to rotate within all areas, subject to completion of suitable training. There is also an expectation that you will participate in the out-of-hours on-call service, weekend working on rotation and bank holiday rotas.
Our team at SPS have been fundamental to the principle of making a positive difference to healthcare in Somerset for over a decade. We hold ISO15189 UKAS accreditation and are an HCPC approved training Laboratory for both IBMS Registration and Specialist Portfolios.
Please note that, in line with current UK visa sponsorship salary requirements, the minimum salary threshold for a Biomedical Scientist role is £45,900. Therefore, applicants requiring visa sponsorship will need to be appointed at the top of the NHS Band 6 pay scale to meet eligibility criteria.
Main duties of the job
* To perform and interpret routine and specialist Biomedical investigations autonomously to provide patients results within agreed quality standards of service delivery and turnaround times under the supervision of senior staff.
* Work independently, implement and propose changes to procedures for own work area. May be a lead specialist.
* To continue with personal development through academic and/or practical experience.
* To provide professional leadership and training to Basic Grade, Trainee BMS, Associate Practitioners (equivalent grades) and Medical Laboratory Assistants.
* To maintain the standards of conduct required by the Health Professions Council to practice as a registered Biomedical Scientist.
* To provide technical advice to clinicians as to the appropriateness of tests and timescales.
* To assist and carry out duties as directed in Health and Safety, audit, training, incident reporting and quality assurance/quality control.
* The laboratory has one of the first new generation Kiestra automated platforms in the UK so innovation and investment is part of the organisation’s strategy with over 40 staff processing 400,000 samples per year.
* The department operates 7 days per week with rota for weekend working, on-call and bank holidays – all these have pay enhancements.
Working for our organisation
Formed in 2012, Southwest Pathology Services (SPS) is a joint venture between SYNLAB UK & Ireland and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. The partnership serves a population of around 500,000 and delivers services to the Trust and more than 100 GP practices, delivering on over 9 million tests annually. The department is an IBMS accredited training laboratory and has full UKAS accreditation.
Originally, there was a single site at each hospital with both undertaking similar urgent and non-urgent tests. There is a well developed central ‘hub’ laboratory in Taunton with an ‘essential services laboratory’ at Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital to provide urgent testing.
The department have regular continual professional development seminars and as part of HCPC registration be expected to maintain an up to date CPD portfolio. There is a healthy training budget to allow local/distant attendance at Congress/seminars/symposiums.
All staff commencing on SYNLAB Hospital terms and conditions are subject to a 6‑month probationary period and may be entitled to a welcome bonus of £10,000.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
* Participate in and assist with clinical trials, the development of new tests and research & validation of equipment ensuring at all times compliance with all policies as required by regulatory directives, accreditation bodies and local management policies and practices.
* To provide technical advice to clinical staff.
* To perform and interpret routine and specialist Biomedical investigations and to participate daily in the scientific and technical activities of the laboratory section under the supervision of senior staff.
* Together with Senior staff help ensure compliance with all policies as required by regulatory directives, accreditation bodies and local management, including;
o Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA)
o Southwest Pathology Service policies and SOPs
o MHRA
o NHSCSP
o HTA
o HFEA
o Any other body in area of responsibility
* Utilise the laboratory LIMS, Q-Pulse quality monitoring system and other application software according to authorised protocols including assisting in computer data entry in all areas of the laboratory, document review, non-conformance review and quality assurance processes.
* Communicate efficiently, courteously and with clarity at all times, whether face to face, telephone or electronic methods referring enquiries to senior staff where appropriate. Matters being communicated may include complex information and/or results.
* Attend and participate positively in laboratory and other meetings as directed by Laboratory senior staff.
* As directed by senior laboratory staff, plan and prioritise work allocations, training plans, audits of both yourself and junior staff, responding appropriately to the needs of routine and urgent activities.
* Encourage active participation in continuous professional development and support the introduction of new technologies and / or systems by being a change advocate.
* Report all incidents and adverse events to senior staff.
* Demonstrate ongoing competency against training plans and participate positively in CPD (continuous professional development) activities.
Safety:
* To observe safety regulations and attend mandatory fire, manual handling and other courses as required.
* To assist in the investigations of any incidents.
* Participate in risk assessment monitoring.
* To ensure that the equipment within area of work is maintained and operated as per SOP’s.
* To comply with iPP policy for annual mandatory updates and have knowledge of COSHH and Lifting and Handling Policies.
Person specification
Qualifications
* BSc Degree, accredited by the Healthcare Professions Council and IBMS. HCPC Registration
* Specialist Portfolio in Microbiology or equivalent experience prior to specialist portfolio release
* IBMS membership
Experience
* At least 2 years relevant experience post‑HCPC registration as a BMS with ongoing specialist training
* Advanced working knowledge of Biomedical techniques and practices
* High degree of accuracy, numeracy, interpretive skills and good problem‑solving skills.
* Good knowledge and experience of LIMS and computer applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Statistical Packages.
* An advanced understanding of basic theoretical and practical Biomedical Sciences and technically adept at majority of routine and advanced laboratory procedures.
* Development of special interest and expertise in one or more areas of the laboratory, for example Quality, Health & Safety, Training or IT
Skills & Knowledge
* Able to work independently, implements and proposes changes to procedures for own work area. May be a lead specialist.
* Demonstrates a sound understanding of the physiology, pathology, and scientific principles relevant to specialism
* Demonstrates a high degree of skill and knowledge where interpretation of results can be highly subjective.
* Well-developed physical skills, demonstrable ability to use precision equipment and consumables.
* Leadership qualities with experience of coaching, coordinating and supervising a team.
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.
All employees are entitled to:
* Contributory pension scheme
* Generous annual leave entitlement
* Ground breaking development opportunities
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
All employees are entitled to: Compulsory duties include safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, ensuring adherence to the relevant policies and procedures, and providing appropriate training where necessary.
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