Healthcare Scientist Associate in Microbiology
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Ashford, TN24 0LZView on map(opens Google Maps in a new tab)
Salary
£28,392 to £31,157
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
1 October 2026
3 days leftJob description
- *Please note this vacancy is only open to staff currently working in Kent and Medway Pathology Network (KMPN)** Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust East...
The successful applicant will provide essential support to Biomedical Scientists within the Microbiology laboratory, assisting with the preparation of biological samples and the operation of laboratory analysers. They will have responsibility for supervising and supporting the development of Senior Associate and Associate Healthcare Scientists (Bands 2 and 3), including training and day-to-day oversight.
The role offers opportunities for further development, with additional training provided to enable the post holder to take a lead on defined aspects of service delivery, such as analyser management, Health & Safety, and Quality Management. The post holder will also contribute to more complex scientific investigations and undertake basic interpretive tasks in support of Biomedical Scientists. A commitment to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is expected to ensure ongoing competence and professional growth.
The laboratory operates 7 days per week, with core working hours of 08:30 to 17:00. The post includes participation in a rota covering a range of shifts, including late shifts up to 19:00, 1 in 4 weekends, and bank holidays. We are happy to consider flexible working arrangements within core hours.
KMPN: You will have a fantastic opportunity to grow your career in KMPN. We are developing a network academy, a platform for all network education and training from apprenticeships to advanced clinical and scientific qualifications with a single faculty making best use of our talented educators and trainers. You will not be expected to work at sites outside of EKHUFT. However, there will be opportunities for collaborative working within the network.
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in Documents to download.
If you have further queries please dont hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Kindly note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for BMS roles Band 6 and above.
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.
Kent and Medway Pathology Network is a formal partnership of seven laboratories across three pathology services in four acute Trusts. Our 1000 colleagues provide services across the health and care sector to a population of nearly 2 million.
We are at an exciting point of our network development with a recommendation to form a joint venture across the four Trusts leading transformation. Our projects including single IT solutions, procurement and digital projects, to ensure our services are able to meet growing demand for our service users, patients and communities.
Qualifications and training
Essential
- GCSE'S A-C, or equivalent in English and Maths, Level 4 qualification or equivalent / above
- IBMS Certificate of Achievement part 2, or equivalent relevant professional experience
Desirable: - HCS or Registered Scientist, RSci with Science Council or Technician; - Quality qualification
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Leadership experience
- Experience of working with a Quality Management System
- Experience of auditing
- Experience of working in Pathology
- IT skills: Q-Pulse or other electronic QMS, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Ability to organise own time effectively & work to schedules & deadlines
- Effective communication skills with other health care professional, both verbal and written
- Ability to follow set protocols and procedures without deviation
Desirable
- Experience of compiling reports
- Experience of external assessments
- Experience in change control processes
- Deal with complex and or sensitive information
- Used a range of Microbiology analysers
- Good aseptic technique
- Good basic manual bacteriology and serology skills
- Molecular and PCR skills
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of quality management systems
- Knowledge of audit processes
- Basic understanding of Microbiology, laboratory and infection science
- Health and Safety in the laboratory
- An understanding of general developments in the NHS and how these affect pathology services
Desirable
- Knowledge of ISO 15189
- Basic knowledge of Healthcare associated infections and Infection Control
- Knowledge of training, learning and development processes
- Understanding of COSHH other H&S audits and laboratory legislation
- Knowledge of advances in Microbiology and Pathology practices
Personal / professional attributes
Essential
- Be self-motivated and work hard towards objectives
- Ability to work individually and as part of a team and develop effective relationships
- Ability to deal with complex and/or sensitive information
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Receptive and adaptive to change
- Ability to work in an environment where clinical specimens are handled and disposed
Desirable: - Willingness to undertake further training as required by the role
Other requirements
Essential: - To be aware of and demonstrate the Trust's Vision, Mission, Values and behaviours.; - Ability to work flexibly to meet changing needs of the service
How to apply
Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.
Provenance
Source
NHS Jobs
First seen
25 September 2026
Last checked
28 September 2026
Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.
About the employer
NHS organisation
This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.
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