Visa sponsorship evidence
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
From the employer's advert, checked 27 October 2026.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors as “Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust” (Skilled Worker). Register checked 23 October 2026.
About the job
Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our busy, friendly team to work in our Microbiology laboratory. Applications are invited from experienced HCPC registered Specialist Biomedical Scientists.
The laboratory is based at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and is ISO 15189 and IBMS training status accredited.
The vacancy is for a Band 7 senior Microbiologist (Full time 37.5 hours) including Weekend and Bank Holiday shifts. There may also be the requirement to work some late (12-8pm) early (8-4pm) and on call shifts.
The successful applicant will be appointed as a Training Officer and will be expected to lead, coordinate, and support training activities within the department. Whilst holding responsibility for training and service development, the post holder will also be expected to remain visible within the Microbiology laboratory and participate in bench duties to support operational service demands and maintain their own technical competence.The post holder will be expected to work collaboratively with managers, senior staff, and external stakeholders to ensure high-quality training and workforce development.
The successful candidate will have a positive and proactive approach to the role. They will be able to demonstrate resilience and have proven leadership skills. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to seek opportunities for continuous improvement whilst ensuring compliance in a highly regulated service.
Main duties of the job
Daily supervise routine and specialised diagnostic investigations on potentially infectious patient and environmental samples using manual and automated techniques.
Daily supervises and co-ordinates the day-to-day operations of a section or sections of the laboratory, solving complex analytical problems to ensure a high standard of work that is completed in a safe and timely manner.
Knows how to proceed in the event of a technical / analytical non-conformance and when to inform the Quality Manager and Laboratory Manager
Completes non-conformance record forms and submits to the Senior BMS/Quality Lead and / or Quality Manager.
To co-operate with the Laboratory Manager and Quality Manager in the evaluation and implementation of new equipment and Standard Operating Procedures as required.
Develop, maintain, and review Standard Operating Procedures in collaboration with the Laboratory Manager and the Quality Manager
Individuals who have applied for this post within the last 4 months need not reapply.
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
To practice as a Healthcare Professions Council (HCPC) Registered BMS in accordance with Statutory Regulations, Professional Standards, WAH NHS Trust and local Policies & Procedures including Health & Safety.
To maintain high professional standards by continual professional development and be competent in the performance of tests and investigations undertaken.
Supervise and co-ordinate the day-to-day operations of a component section or sections of the laboratory including General Bacteriology, specialist Containment Level 3 Facility, Environmental, Mycology and Parasitology on a rotational basis.
JOB PURPOSE
Daily supervise routine and specialised diagnostic investigations on potentially infectious patient and environmental samples using manual and automated techniques.
Frequently handles potentially highly infectious and known highly infectious material in order to perform subjective interpretation of diagnostic investigations and be responsible for the validity of results.
Daily supervises and co-ordinates the day-to-day operations of a section or sections of the laboratory, solving complex analytical problems to ensure a high standard of work that is completed in a safe and timely manner.
Knows how to proceed in the event of a technical / analytical non-conformance and when to inform the Quality Manager and Laboratory Manager
Completes non-conformance record forms and submits to the Senior BMS/Quality Lead and / or Quality Manager.
Daily record and report results, in electronic form and / or verbally, to persons authorized to receive them. Informs Medical staff of significant / urgent results.
Daily perform technical validation of electronic reports using DSE prior to release to Medical Microbiologists
Frequently perform tasks that include accuracy, precision and the use and maintenance of specialist equipment.
Maintain equipment logs, for the General Bacteriology Section, including maintenance and repair.
Participate in the maintenance and revision of Equipment Standard Operating Procedures.
Frequently offer specialist technical advice to Medical staff, patients and other service users on validity of results including reference ranges, appropriate specimens / sampling and turnaround times.
To participate in induction, training and supervision of AP, MLA, Trainee BMS, Band 5 BMS, Band 6 BMS and other staff and visitors in all relevant aspects of laboratory work including Health & Safety as directed by the Laboratory Manager
To develop and maintain the Departmental Competency Assessment schemes for Trainee BMS, Band 5 BMS, Band 6 & 7 BMS, AP, MLA & DEC staff in collaboration with the Laboratory Manager.
To participate in own competency assessment scheme.
Participate in personally and perform Trust Personal Development Review (PDR) for AP, MLA, Trainee BMS, Band 5 BMS and Band 6 BMS staff and inform the Laboratory Manager of any training and development needs.
To participate in the sickness management and return to work for all staff sickness
Monitor stocks of kits, reagents and consumables and report supply deficiencies to the appropriate AP and / or Senior BMS.
To participate in the maintenance of the Quality Management System including, internal and external quality control and assurance in accordance with UKAS, HCPC, and other Accreditation bodies.
To be a nominated Microbiology Audit Officer and conduct audit of vertical, horizontal and examination audits in accordance with the Laboratory Audit Programme.
To co-operate with the Laboratory Manager and Quality Manager in the evaluation and implementation of new equipment and Standard Operating Procedures as required.
Develop, maintain, and review Standard Operating Procedures in collaboration with the Laboratory Manager and the Quality Manager
To participate in Clinical Trials / Research and Development as directed by a Consultant Microbiologist.
Present scientific, technical data and audit data at staff meetings using appropriate communication tools.
To assist in the recruitment, selection and induction of staff within line management responsibility.
Knows how to respond to a major incident in accordance with Trust Policy.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Departmental Training Officer To liaise with the BMSs responsible for IQA in order to determine training needs of staff within the department and organise training workshops as required.
To co-ordinate the external assessment process for the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS) Certificate of Competence Portfolio for Trainee Biomedical Scientists (BMSs)
In collaboration with the Laboratory Manager, develop and maintain training programmes for Trainee BMSs, MLAs and co-ordinate the delivery of training.
Named Department contact for the IBMS
Participate in the departmental induction process for newly appointed BMS, MLA, Trainee BMS, clerical staff and work experience students.
Co-ordinate requests for internal training and ensure that the correct application procedures are followed prior to authorisation by the Laboratory Manager. Liaise with the Education & Training Department and other pathology Training Officers regarding the co-ordination of work experience requests and placements.
Liaise with the Trust Training Department and external Training Providers
In collaboration with the Laboratory Manager and Quality Manager organise technical workshops.
In collaboration with the Laboratory Manager, develop and maintain the continuing professional development (CPD) programme within the department.
Apply for IBMS CPD accreditation for training activities (where appropriate) and issue certificates for accredited activitie
In collaboration with the Laboratory Manager, develop, implement and maintain the staff competency assessment programmes and identify training needs as required.
Maintains records for all training, competency assessment and CPD activities including, internal, external and Trust activities.
Ensure that all staff are issued with a Personal Development Portfolio and assist staff with the use of the Portfolio.
About the employer
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester
Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Being open and honest
Ensuring people feel cared for
Showing respect to everyone
We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
DBS Checks and Costs
Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.
Advert text from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, published on NHS Jobs. Read the original advert.
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