Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology in Bromborough

Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology

Band 6

Main area Microbiology Grade Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (24/7 Night, Late, Early and Weekend Shift working) Job ref 408-26-766

Site Chester and Wirral Microbiology Service Town Bromborough Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 22/10/2026 23:59

To discover why you should consider applying for a role at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, please watch our video and hear directly from our staff about what it’s truly like to work at WUTH and its surrounding areas: https://youtu.be/Z5oMaNXprn8

Job overview

Applications are invited from highly motivated and enthusiastic HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists with Specialist Portfolio or earlier equivalent, for a permanent Band 6 role with Chester & Wirral NHS Microbiology Service (CWMS).

CWMS is the shared microbiology service for Countess of Chester Hospital and Wirral University Teaching Hospital. The laboratory is based off-site from the hospitals in Bromborough and is open 7 days a week 24/7.

CWMS performs bacteriology, mycology, serology and molecular diagnostics.

CWMS uses the “Telepath” LIMS and has a significant number of interfaced analysers.

After suitable training, you would be expected to participate in the 24/7.

The successful candidate will join our friendly team of experienced Biomedical Scientists and support staff rotating through all sections of our busy laboratory.

You will be encouraged and supported to participate in further education, training and Continuing Professional Development.

Main duties of the job

• To work and rotate around sections of the laboratory.
• Specimen reception: receipt and checking of samples against request forms, liaising with ward staff where there are doubts, assigning high risk samples to an appropriate containment area and dealing with leaking/damaged specimens.
• Bacteriology: Selection of an appropriate media, incubation temperatures and atmospheres as indicated by specimen type and clinical information provided. Interpretation of culture results and selection of appropriate organism (bacterial, fungal or yeast) for identification and antimicrobial sensitivity testing, based on the interpretation of clinical information and application of specialist knowledge and experience of infectious diseases. Interpretation of findings from these results to produce a final report with an appropriate report comment. Perform extra/further investigations as indicated by culture findings or when requested by Microbiology medical staff.
• Microscopy: The examination of clinical specimens using a range of microscopes, e.g. fluorescent, lights and inverted microscopes.
• Serology: Perform routine serological procedures in the diagnosis of viral diseases, particularly Hepatitis B and HIV.

Working for our organisation

All new colleagues can expect to receive a warm and friendly Wirral welcome from the very first time they make contact with us. We are described as “competent and caring staff” by our patients.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is situated on The Wirral peninsula which has a stunning coastline and beautiful countryside surroundings, with great activities for its residents.

We are one of the largest and busiest acute Trusts in the North West of England, comprising of the Wirral’s only Emergency Department. We provide a high quality range of acute care services and employ over 6,000 staff, who serve a population of approximately 400,000 people across Wirral, Ellesmere Port, Neston, North Wales and the wider North West footprint.

We have approximately 855 beds trust-wide and our financial turnover is in excess of £337m.

The Wirral is easily accessible with excellent transport links including motorway, train, bus or ferry and within easy reach to the major cities of Liverpool, Chester and Manchester as well as neighbouring North Wales.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description for further information about the Specialist Biomedical Scientist position available at WUTH.

Person specification

Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training

• Degree or equivalent in Biomedical sciences or a qualification acceptable by the Health & Care Professions Council
• Able to satisfy registration requirements with the Health & Care Professions Council, plus, if registered prior to July 2008, have met registration requirements at the time
• Completed IBMS Specialist Portfolio Diploma or equivalent experience

Knowledge and Skills

• A good understanding of microbiological concepts in relation to patient care and environmental services
• Demonstrates ability to work competently and unsupervised
• Demonstrates technical expertise and experience in bacteriology, serology and molecular methods
• Demonstrates good organisational skills in a pressurised work environment
• Demonstrates ability to organise, prioritise workload and good time management skills
• Proficient in the use of the laboratory computer systems

Personal Attributes

• Respond to unexpected changes and adopt a flexible approach
• Demonstrate adaptable and flexible approach in undertaking duties required of the post
• Ability and willingness to undergo further training and continual professional development
• Comply with Trust Health & Safety Policy and Procedures
• Maintain confidentiality in line with Trust’s Policies
• Ability to motivate and lead staff, evidence of a management or supervisory role
• Experience of laboratory audit procedure to comply with quality standards

General Information

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Information

If the post you are applying for requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, please note that, in line with Trust policy, the cost of submitting and processing the DBS application for successful applicants will be met by the individual.

For substantive employees, the DBS costs are recovered through salary deductions following commencement in post in 3 equal instalments.

For bank workers and individuals appointed to honorary positions that require a DBS check, the cost must be paid in advance via the Trusts payment link before a start date can be confirmed.

Please note that DBS fees and any associated administration charges are subject to periodic review and may change from time to time.

The cost of the DBS check would vary depending on the level required for the role:

The Trust would encourage all post holders who require a DBS for their role to registered with the DBS Update Service. You can find out more information and guidance on how to do this at DBS Update Service - GOV.UK

Please note that it is the responsibility of applicants to assess their own eligibility for apprenticeship opportunities in relation to the role they are applying for. Eligibility is determined by specific residency requirements set by government funding rules and is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Our organisation cannot guarantee eligibility for all applicants.

UK nationals or individuals with the right of abode typically meet the residency requirement if they have been ordinarily resident in the UK, the British Overseas Territories, or the Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) for at least three years prior to the start date of the apprenticeship.

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified during the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have the right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for visa sponsorship. Please note that it is the responsibility of applicants to assess their own eligibility for visa sponsorship in relation to the role they are applying for. Our organisation cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles, and eligibility is determined by the UK Home Office’s points-based immigration system on a case-by-case basis. For further information please see: Skilled Worker Visa Eligible Occupations and Codes .

For further details on skilled worker sponsorship, please consult the UK Home Office guidance: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK. Additionally, the New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers provides helpful information on the recruitment process for candidates applying for roles in the UK.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to check that they meet the current English language requirements before submitting an application for a role where they would require a visa application. Full details are available here Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English - GOV.UK

This information does not constitute legal advice, and we strongly recommend seeking independent legal guidance tailored to your individual circumstances.

Safeguarding

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all unborn babies, children and adults and is signed up to both the Wirral Safeguarding Children's Partnership and the Wirral Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board associated policies and procedures. All Trust staff must be familiar with, and adhere to these procedures. It is the post holders responsibility to attended the Trusts mandatory training Protecting Vulnerable People training, and to follow the relevant Trusts polices and practice guidance.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Name Nadia Duggan Job title Microbiology Service Manager Email address nadia.duggan@nhs.net Telephone number 01244 362499 Additional information If you are intending to have an informal chat or walk around the department, please email wuth.microdutysenior@nhs.net in the first instance.

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