Senior Biomedical Scientist
UK Health Security Agency
Bristol, BS10 5NBView on map(opens Google Maps in a new tab)
Salary
£49,387 to £56,515
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
24 November 2026
12 days leftJob description
Under the guidance of the Lead BMS, on a rotational basis to be responsible for and participate in the day-to-day running of a laboratory section whic...
Interpersonal and communication skills
- Communicate complex, sensitive and potentially distressing information to laboratory staff, clinicians and healthcare professionals.- Telephone and communicate urgent or significant results to appropriate clinical staff.- Liaise with patients, clinicians, nursing staff, laboratory colleagues and external organisations regarding sample requirements, testing requirements and results.- Maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.- Participate in departmental, senior staff and Trust meetings.- Produce written reports on service performance and service improvements.- Deliver presentations at internal and external meetings.- Provide training, instruction and guidance to Biomedical Scientists, trainees, Medical Laboratory Assistants and junior medical staff.- Ensure accurate exchange of information through verbal and written communication.
Problem-solving and decision-making- Assess sample suitability and determine appropriate testing pathways.- Interpret complex microbiological findings and validate diagnostic results.- Apply specialist knowledge to initiate further investigations where required.- Troubleshoot laboratory equipment, analysers and technical processes.- Investigate incidents, undertake root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.- Make judgements on complex diagnostic and operational problems.- Escalate issues affecting service delivery to the Lead BMS or Laboratory Manager.- Prioritise workload and resources to maintain service continuity.Planning and coordination
- Organise and supervise day-to-day activities within a laboratory section.- Coordinate staffing and workload allocation within the section.- Plan and deliver induction and training programmes.- Ensure adequate supplies of reagents, consumables and equipment.- Participate in workforce planning and service provision arrangements.- Coordinate quality assurance, audits and validation activities.- Provide operational cover for Senior Biomedical Scientists and Lead BMS staff as required.
Practical and technical skills
- Examine and report on microscopy preparations and microbiological cultures.- Perform routine and specialist diagnostic testing.- Demonstrate highly developed manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.- Undertake complex analytical and technical procedures with accuracy.- Operate, maintain and troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation and equipment.- Use scalpels and other laboratory tools safely.- Maintain competence in specimen processing and specialised laboratory techniques.
Patient care and support
- Indirect contribution to patient care through accurate processing, analysis, interpretation and reporting of microbiological investigations.
Service development and improvement
- Contribute to discussions on workflow, methodology and service improvements.- Assist in the development, review and implementation of laboratory procedures and SOPs.- Participate in audits, quality improvement initiatives and accreditation requirements.- Evaluate new equipment, technologies and diagnostic techniques.- Contribute to research, service development projects and implementation of new systems of work.
Finance and resource management
- Ensure efficient and safe use of laboratory consumables and equipment.- Reorder equipment, reagents and consumables as required.- Manage resources within the section to maintain uninterrupted service delivery.- Support cost-effective working practices and minimisation of waste.
Leadership and team management
- Day-to-day supervision of Biomedical Scientists, Trainees, Medical Laboratory Assistants and Clerical Staff.- Monitor staff performance and provide ongoing support and guidance.- Conduct appraisals and contribute to performance management processes.- Participate in recruitment activities.- Organise, deliver and assess staff training and competency programmes.- Lead and coordinate activities within a laboratory section.
Information and data management
- Competent user of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).- Input, validate and retrieve patient and laboratory data.- Produce reports, performance information and service improvement documentation.- Maintain accurate laboratory records and documentation.- Use Microsoft Office and other software packages for data analysis and reporting.- Ensure confidentiality, accuracy and security of information.
Autonomy and decision authority
- Work independently within professional, departmental and regulatory frameworks.- Authorise and technically validate routine and specialist laboratory results.- Make decisions regarding testing protocols and referral of complex cases.- Exercise professional judgement in problem solving and service delivery.- Escalate issues beyond own authority to senior management when necessary.- Participate in out-of-hours and on-call working with independent decision-making responsibilities.
Please note, this list is not exhaustive
- Biomedical Sciences degree or equivalent- State registration with HCPC- MSc in Biomedical Science/Microbiology/Biological Sciences or similar or equivalent qualification or equivalent laboratory experience- Strong working knowledge of lab procedures- Experience of staff training / Able to organise less qualified staff- Working knowledge of Health & Safety issues within a laboratory- Ability to work as a team
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications,knowledgeand experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed sevenessential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)- 1000 word supporting statement.
This should outline how you consider your skills, experienceand knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.
HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words.
Longlisting: In the event ofa large number ofapplications,we will longlist into 3 piles of:
1. Meets all essential criteria2. Meets some essential criteria3. Meets no essential criteria
If used, the pile Meets all essential criteria willproceedto shortlisting.
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Application Form and Supporting Statement
Essential: - Application Form and Supporting Statement
Essential Criteria
Essential: - Questions on Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Presentation
Essential: - Presentation
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
10 November 2026
Last checked
12 November 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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