Job requirements
Requirements from the employer’s person specification. These describe the role, not your personal match.
Essential
11 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
Significant specialist knowledge of Microbiology
- Experience
Experience of verification and validation processes
- Experience
Training of staff
- Qualifications
BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
- Qualifications
HCPC State Registration
- Qualifications
IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Medical Microbiology or equivalent, or working towards
- Personal Skills
Excellent inter-personal skills
- Personal Skills
Personal integrity - leading by example
- Personal Skills
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, at all levels.
- Personal Skills
Good awareness of quality processes in Microbiology
- Personal Skills
Document writing skills
Desirable
6 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Audit and evaluation
- Experience
On call and out of hours working
- Experience
Good knowledge of antibiotics and resiatance mechanisms
- Experience
QC management - Westgard, QC software
- Qualifications
Master degree or related professional health care qualification
- Personal Skills
Ability to analyse complex data and use information to inform judgements
Job overview
We are seeking a Band 6 Specialist Biomedical Scientist to join the Microbiology department at Bedford Hospital. Our laboratory is equipped with a comprehensive range of modern platforms, including the BioMérieux BacT/Alert Virtuo, BD MGIT, DS2, BioMérieux Vidas, Biofire Torch and FilmArray, Roche Cobas 6800, BD Max, Cepheid GeneXpert, Beckman Coulter Microscan, Stratec Gemini and the Bruker MALDI‑TOF.
The service provides an extensive repertoire of investigations for Bedford Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, as well as local GP practices. The department is UKAS accredited to ISO 15189:2022 and is an IBMS‑approved training laboratory.
In this role, you will work as part of a dedicated Microbiology team, delivering high‑quality microbiological analysis to support accurate diagnosis and optimal patient care.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist, performing a range of microbiological techniques to support the clinical diagnosis of infectious diseases in accordance with established SOPs.
They will be expected to contribute to the delivery of training in line with the departmental training policy and to support Senior staff in maintaining a high‑quality, efficient and effective service.
Once fully trained, the post holder will participate in the departmental shift rota, which includes weekend, bank‑holiday and on‑call duties. The service is progressing towards a 24/7 shift model.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities.
- Work as an HCPC‑registered Specialist Biomedical Scientist, contributing to the effective delivery of departmental services.
- Support the Manager and Senior Biomedical Scientists in implementing and maintaining a cohesive, well‑coordinated service in collaboration with the department’s clinical lead.
- Apply the departmental quality policy and work towards achieving agreed quality objectives.
- Contribute to the implementation and maintenance of UKAS standards, using the established Pathology Quality Management System to support quality cycles and audits required for ISO 15189 compliance.
- Act as deputy for the Senior Biomedical Scientist when required.
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.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology with Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Bedford, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Biomedical scientist role. The advertised salary is £39,959 - £48,117 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 11 Sep 2026.
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