Job Description

The Department of Microbiology and Virology is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Advanced Biomedical Scientist to assist the Operational Site Manager in providing day to day operational continuity within the Mycobacterial section of the laboratory in order to deliver an efficient and timely TB Service to the Trust, community and wider region.

• Interview Date: Friday, 23 January 2026
• 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
• You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring the appropriate laboratory diagnostic tests are performed using their knowledge, judgement and technical expertise. They will have experience of Microbiology at both a technical and theoretical level and be able to demonstrate both strong leadership and H & S qualities. Experience and knowledge of TB diagnostics is desirable but not essential.
The role requires the individual to work closely with departmental colleagues, consultant microbiologists and other service users.
About us
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:

• Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
• Freeman Hospital
• Newcastle Dental Hospital
• Cramlington Manor Walks
• Urgent treatment centres
• Newcastle Fertility Centre
• Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
• Northern Genetics Service

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Details
Date posted
29 December 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
47,810 to 54,710 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
317-2025-49-01-DR
Job locations
Freeman Hospital
317 01 Freeman Hospital
NE7 7DN
Job description
Job responsibilities

• The department of Microbiology and Virology is made up of several specialist areas as shown in the organisation chart and the jobholder will contribute to theprovision of an effective clinical diagnostic testing and advice service to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners and other legitimate users of the service.
• Provision of an effective clinical diagnostic testing and advice service to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners and other legitimate users of the service.
• This will involve assisting an Operational Site Manager with operational continuity by supervising, organising, and directing Biomedical Scientists and Healthcare Science Practitioners (HCSPs), maintaining work standards and day to day performance
• Leading and participating in the practical work in the designated section and imparting specialist knowledge in clinical technical situations is also required.
• To provide specialist scientific knowledge and to work as a member of the team to assess, plan and contribute to the provision of a specialised service.
• To supervise and participate in the practical work of the section including reception, sorting, numbering, booking in and analysis of samples, including interpretation of clinical details and deciding which investigations are most appropriate, and any associated recording or data entry.
• To ensure appropriate laboratory diagnostic tests are performed and results validated using judgement and expertise.
• To interpret laboratory results and apply these to ensure individual patient needs are met.
• To participate in the section Quality Assurance programmes, investigate situations and instigate remedial action and to report such events to the Laboratory Management Team.
• To support the Laboratory Management Team in maintaining accreditation status (UKAS, HTA, MHRA, HSE)
• There may be a requirement for Advanced BMS grades to rotate through different sections.
• To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to the Department Health and Safety Officer.
• To ensure the section has adequate supplies of consumables and that equipment is in good working order.
• Practical and theoretical training and supervision of BMS and HCSP staff, Students, Junior Doctors and other visitors.
• To ensure effective communication within the department and liaise with external colleagues such as the Public Health Field Epidemiologists and National Surveillance Programme Data Analysts
• The Advanced BMS will participate in the department out of hours rotas. They will be asked to provide cover for Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday duties in the department as required.

Job description
Job responsibilities

• The department of Microbiology and Virology is made up of several specialist areas as shown in the organisation chart and the jobholder will contribute to theprovision of an effective clinical diagnostic testing and advice service to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners and other legitimate users of the service.
• Provision of an effective clinical diagnostic testing and advice service to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners and other legitimate users of the service.
• This will involve assisting an Operational Site Manager with operational continuity by supervising, organising, and directing Biomedical Scientists and Healthcare Science Practitioners (HCSPs), maintaining work standards and day to day performance
• Leading and participating in the practical work in the designated section and imparting specialist knowledge in clinical technical situations is also required.
• To provide specialist scientific knowledge and to work as a member of the team to assess, plan and contribute to the provision of a specialised service.
• To supervise and participate in the practical work of the section including reception, sorting, numbering, booking in and analysis of samples, including interpretation of clinical details and deciding which investigations are most appropriate, and any associated recording or data entry.
• To ensure appropriate laboratory diagnostic tests are performed and results validated using judgement and expertise.
• To interpret laboratory results and apply these to ensure individual patient needs are met.
• To participate in the section Quality Assurance programmes, investigate situations and instigate remedial action and to report such events to the Laboratory Management Team.
• To support the Laboratory Management Team in maintaining accreditation status (UKAS, HTA, MHRA, HSE)
• There may be a requirement for Advanced BMS grades to rotate through different sections.
• To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to the Department Health and Safety Officer.
• To ensure the section has adequate supplies of consumables and that equipment is in good working order.
• Practical and theoretical training and supervision of BMS and HCSP staff, Students, Junior Doctors and other visitors.
• To ensure effective communication within the department and liaise with external colleagues such as the Public Health Field Epidemiologists and National Surveillance Programme Data Analysts
• The Advanced BMS will participate in the department out of hours rotas. They will be asked to provide cover for Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday duties in the department as required.

Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential

• BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent Qualification
• Health & Care Professions Council registration
• Completion of the IBMS Specialist portfolio or equivalent experience at specialist level in Microbiology or Virology
• Level 7 qualification (MSc, IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or NSHCS Scientist Training Programme)

Desirable

• Experience and/or qualification in leadership and management

Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Previous experience and knowledge in Serology or Virology gained as a Biomedical Scientist
• Experience of training and assessment
• Experience in Quality Management Systems (Audit, EQA & IQC)
• Experience of maintaining and troubleshooting equipment
• Good general computer literacy, including familiarity with Windows and common applications
• Willingly accepts responsibility and takes control of situations

Desirable

• Use of bespoke IT software packages for example analyser middleware systems
• Experience in Research and Development
• Familiarity with current UKAS accreditation standards

Skills & Abilities
Essential

• Effective communication skills
• Evidence of effective leadership skills
• Strong analytical, organisational and planning skills
• Able to understand complex problems quickly and to identify workable solutions
• Ability to multitask
• Good hand eye co-ordination
• Able to effectively communicate complex issues both verbally and written.
• Able to act independently and use initiative
• Able to delegate and share knowledge

Desirable

• Keyboard and IT related skills

Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential

• BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent Qualification
• Health & Care Professions Council registration
• Completion of the IBMS Specialist portfolio or equivalent experience at specialist level in Microbiology or Virology
• Level 7 qualification (MSc, IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or NSHCS Scientist Training Programme)

Desirable

• Experience and/or qualification in leadership and management

Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Previous experience and knowledge in Serology or Virology gained as a Biomedical Scientist
• Experience of training and assessment
• Experience in Quality Management Systems (Audit, EQA & IQC)
• Experience of maintaining and troubleshooting equipment
• Good general computer literacy, including familiarity with Windows and common applications
• Willingly accepts responsibility and takes control of situations

Desirable

• Use of bespoke IT software packages for example analyser middleware systems
• Experience in Research and Development
• Familiarity with current UKAS accreditation standards

Skills & Abilities
Essential

• Effective communication skills
• Evidence of effective leadership skills
• Strong analytical, organisational and planning skills
• Able to understand complex problems quickly and to identify workable solutions
• Ability to multitask
• Good hand eye co-ordination
• Able to effectively communicate complex issues both verbally and written.
• Able to act independently and use initiative
• Able to delegate and share knowledge

Desirable

• Keyboard and IT related skills

Skills Required