Specialist Biomedical Scientist Microbiology

Job overview

The Microbiology Laboratory is based on a single site at the Eastbourne District General Hospital (EDGH) and is equipped with state of the art analysers/ equipment and has a Pathology-wide IT system that links with the hospital HISS system. The department processes in the region of 255,000 specimens a year. The department has a technical staff of 19 serving the Conquest Hospital, Eastbourne District General Hospital, and a large GP catchment area, providing an interesting and varied workload. This UKAS-accredited, IBMS training-approved and fully computerised department provides a comprehensive diagnostic service, including Serology. Current instrumentation includes BD Bactec blood culture system, Cepheid Genexpert PCR system, Urine Sedimax, MastUri, BDMax PCR analyser, Biomerieux MALDI-TOF. We currently have a vacancy for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to undertake all aspects of routine laboratory work, and function at a Specialist Biomedical Scientist level. You must be suitably qualified and HCPC-registered, with at least 2 years post-registration laboratory experience in the UK, with a completed IBMS specialist portfolio. Qualified and HCPC-registered BMS staff participate in the contractual 7-day rotas.

Main duties of the job

Biomedical Scientists working in Microbiology are responsible for analysing and interpreting the various causes of infection by the identification of disease-causing microorganisms, and for recommending their antibiotic treatment where appropriate. These processes utilise the most up-to-date scientific methods and highly complex analytical equipment, in conjunction with the traditional methods of culture, microscopy and antigen/antibody-complex diagnostics, and by the application of microbiological, biochemical, serological and molecular techniques. The post-holder will be required to have a variety of microbiology skills in order to perform all these tests.

Diagnostic work includes the examination of a wide variety of samples such as blood, tissue, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and faecal material. Investigations include culture and identification of bacteria and fungi, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and the identification of lice, fleas and parasites. Serological investigations include assays for the diagnosis of HIV and Hepatitis B, other blood borne viruses and the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.