Biomedical Scientist

Posting date:	01 May 2026
Salary:	£45,953.00 to £54,254.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£45953.00 - £54254.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	15 May 2026
Location:	Colindale, NW9 5EQ
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	K9919-26-0135

Summary

Main responsibilities include to: undertake training, including mandatory training as requisite for your role. receive, sort, unpack, label and process specimens in the laboratory. use of the laboratory information system (LIMS) to undertake data entry, electronically request and receive tests and look up results etc. supervise or perform reference microbiological, and molecular laboratory tests, as required, according to local standard operating procedures (SOPS) and other quality documentation. read and interpret laboratory results. be aware of anomalous results, recognising these when they occur and reporting them appropriately. ensure that important or unusual reports are drawn to the attention of senior staff and to report complaints or anomalies as soon as possible. assist in the production and dissemination of laboratory reports, data and statistics, including the issuing of authorised reports by telephone and being aware of the priority of reports. liaise with medical, scientific and other healthcare staff in all matters relating to diagnosis. liaise with service users for general enquiries. assist in the calibration and maintenance of equipment. maintain a high standard of professional competence and technical skill in the performance of all tests and investigations carried out in the laboratory. prepare and adhere to laboratory SOPs, risk assessments and other documentation. assist in the research and evaluation of new methods and equipment. assist in the introduction of new and amended methodology. use equipment in a safe and responsible manner. perform general laboratory duties e.g. checking and cleaning instruments/equipment, recording temperatures, preparing reagents and assistance with stock control. assist in the training of other staff and visitors to the laboratory. cover the duties of other healthcare staff in their absence where possible. assist in preparing reagents for use in the laboratory. help prepare and dispatch items/samples for referral, transport and posting. ensure the correct disposal of laboratory waste. support the requirements of the quality management system by taking part in internal and external assessments and audits, and corrective actions. Line manage junior members of staff, as required. The department will be able to support further specialist training, e.g. working at containment level 3. Other The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the laboratory and UKHSA. It should be noted that the work of the laboratory is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training. KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS The post holder will: Develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include; Internal - Medical, scientific and biomedical staff across the Public Health Microbiology Division. To attend and participate in relevant meetings and updates on an ad hoc basis. External - Hospital and Trust staff serviced by the laboratory, other clinical and primary care staff.Staff from external bodies including accreditation bodies, NHS, local authority, university, MHRA and other users/collaborators, national and enforcement bodies, commercial companies and professional groups as required. This list is not exhaustive. Essential Criteria BSc in Microbiology or relevant biological science or experience in bacteriology or microbiology HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory Significant postgraduate experience in bacteriology or microbiology Experience with LIMS Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) Experience in working as part of a team Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines Good computer skills and sound knowledge of common IT Evidence of ability to train others Knowledge of health and safety and safe working practices Able to provide judgement on a range of problems Communicate complex and sensitive information with peers and senior staff Good understanding of quality and safety principles and procedures An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships. Desirable role criteria: Practical experience in a microbiology laboratory with demonstrable ability to perform and evaluate a range of tests A good level of theoretical and practical microbiological, and molecular testing knowledge Experience of working in a healthcare environment Selection Process This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications,knowledge, experience, skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria. Stage 1: Application & Sift Competency Based You willbe required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 15essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a: Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 750 word supporting statement. This should outline how you consider your skills, experienceand knowledgeprovide 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. Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 750words. We will not consider any words over 750 words. Longlisting: In the event ofa large number ofapplicationswe may longlist into 3 piles of: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria If used, the piles Meets all essential criteria and Meets some essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting. Shortlisting: In the event ofa large number ofapplications we may conductan initial sift, on the lead criteria of : BSc in Microbiology or relevant biological science or experience in bacteriology or microbiology HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory Desirable criteria may be usedin the event ofa large number ofapplications/largeamountof successful candidates. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview Competency Based You will be invited to a single face to face interview at Colindale . If face to face interviewsareplanned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview Interviews dates to be confirmed. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Location This role is being offered as lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale. If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency lessthan the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role. Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a basicdisclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check. Eligibility Criteria External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants). Salary Information If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able todemonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms. This role includes Outer HCAS of 15% of basic salary, subject to a: minimum payment of £4,714 and a maximum payment of £5,941