Senior Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology | Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Company:	Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Salary:	£49,387 - £56,515 per annum pro rata
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Bedford, MK42 9DJ
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	14 Sept 2026
Closing date:	14 Oct 2026

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Summary

We are seeking an experiencedSenior Biomedical Scientistto join the Microbiology Department at Bedford Hospital on a fixed-term basis to cover maternity leave.

The laboratory is equipped with a wide range of modern microbiology and molecular diagnostic platforms, includingBeckman Coulter MicroScan, bioMérieux BacT/ALERT VIRTUO, Cepheid GeneXpert, BD MGIT, bioMérieux VIDAS, BioFire TORCH and FilmArray, Roche cobas 6800, Bruker MALDI-TOF, BD MAX, Stratec Gemini, MAST Uri System and DS2.

Following the merger with the Luton Microbiology Department, the service provides a comprehensive range of microbiology investigations toBedford Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, and surrounding GP practices. The department isUKAS accredited to ISO 15189:2012and is anIBMS-approved training laboratory, supporting the development and training of future biomedical scientists.

As a member of the Microbiology Senior Team, you will play a key role in maintaining and improvingquality standards, staff training and service development. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across the department to ensure the delivery of a high-quality, efficient and safe microbiology service.

The post holder will work as aSenior Biomedical Scientistwithin the Microbiology Department, supporting the Laboratory Manager and Senior Management Team in the effective delivery of the service.

Applicants should havesignificant experience in Microbiology, a strong understanding ofquality management processes, and proven experience intraining and supporting staff across all grades.

The post holder will assist the Laboratory Manager with theday-to-day operational management of the department, including the implementation, monitoring and review of relevant contracts and service requirements. They will contribute to maintainingservice continuity, quality and patient safety, while proactively identifying and mitigating operational risks.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

• To work as aHCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist (BMS), contributing to the safe, effective and efficient delivery of the department’s diagnostic services.

• To support the Laboratory Management Team in the implementation and delivery of acohesive and high-quality service, working in collaboration with the Clinical Lead for the department.

• To support the implementation of the department’sQuality Policy and agreed quality objectives, ensuring that quality standards are maintained and continuously improved.

• To contribute to the implementation and maintenance ofUKAS standards and ISO 15189 compliance, using the established Pathology Quality Management System. This will include participation in quality activities, quality improvement initiatives and audits required to demonstrate compliance.

• To assist with the development and implementation ofaction plansto address non-conformities identified through internal or external audits, incidents or complaints, and to monitor the completion and effectiveness of identifiedcorrective and preventive actions.

• To follow, review and update the department’sStandard Operating Procedures (SOPs)using the Document Management Module within theQ-Pulse Quality Management System, ensuring that documentation remains accurate, current and compliant with relevant standards.

• Where delegated, to take responsibility for thedevelopment, review and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)for the department, utilising the Q-Pulse Document Management Module and ensuring appropriate consultation and approval processes are followed.

• To support theday-to-day management of quality processeswithin the department and across the relevant teams. This will include supporting senior staff with quality documentation, monitoring compliance and providing training to staff at all grades in the application of standardised quality processes and effective use of the Quality Management System.

• To promote aculture of continuous quality improvement, supporting staff in understanding and maintaining the standards required for safe, effective and patient-focused laboratory services.

This advert closes on Monday 28 Sep 2026

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