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Job summary

Main area
Microbiology
Grade
Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (24/7 Night, Late, Early and Weekend Shift working)
Job ref
408-24-1008-A
Employer
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Chester and Wirral Microbiology Service
Town
Bromborough
Salary
£37,338 - £44,962 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
05/01/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

Specialist Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology

Band 6

Apprenticeship Eligibility Criteria 

Should this vacancy be recruited as an apprenticeship, the following criteria will apply:

UK nationals or other persons with a right of abode have an eligible residency status if they have been ordinarily resident in the UK or the British Overseas Territories, or the Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of the apprenticeship.

To find out why you should apply for a role at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, please view our video and listen to what our staff say working at WUTH is really like: https://youtu.be/Z5oMaNXprn8

 

Job overview

Applications are invited from highly motivated and enthusiastic HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists with Specialist Portfolio or earlier equivalent, for a permanent Band 6 role with Chester & Wirral NHS Microbiology Service (CWMS).

CWMS is the shared microbiology service for Countess of Chester Hospital and Wirral University Teaching Hospital. The laboratory is based off-site from the hospitals in Bromborough and is open 7 days a week 24/7.

CWMS performs bacteriology, mycology, serology and molecular diagnostics.

CWMS uses the “Telepath” LIMS and has a significant number of interfaced analysers.

After suitable training, you would be expected to participate in the 24/7.

The successful candidate will join our friendly team of experienced Biomedical Scientists and support staff rotating through all sections of our busy laboratory. 

You will be encouraged and supported to participate in further education, training and Continuing Professional Development.

Main duties of the job

  • To work and rotate around sections of the laboratory.
  •  Specimen reception: receipt and checking of samples against request forms, liaising with ward staff where there are doubts, assigning high risk samples to an appropriate containment area and dealing with leaking/damaged specimens.
  • Bacteriology: Selection of an appropriate media, incubation temperatures and atmospheres as indicated by specimen type and clinical information provided. Interpretation of culture results and selection of appropriate organism (bacterial, fungal or yeast) for identification and antimicrobial sensitivity testing, based on the interpretation of clinical information and application of specialist knowledge and experience of infectious diseases. Interpretation of findings from these results to produce a final report with an appropriate report comment. Perform extra/further investigations as indicated by culture findings or when requested by Microbiology medical staff.
  • Microscopy: The examination of clinical specimens using a range of microscopes, e.g. fluorescent, lights and inverted microscopes. 
  • Serology: Perform routine serological procedures in the diagnosis of viral diseases, particularly Hepatitis B and HIV.

Working for our organisation

All new colleagues can expect to receive a warm and friendly Wirral welcome from the very first time they make contact with us. We are described as “competent and caring staff” by our patients.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is situated on The Wirral peninsula which has a stunning coastline and beautiful countryside surroundings, with great activities for its residents.

We are one of the largest and busiest acute Trusts in the North West of England, comprising of the Wirral’s only Emergency Department. We provide a high quality range of acute care services and employ over 6,000 staff, who serve a population of approximately 400,000 people across Wirral, Ellesmere Port, Neston, North Wales and the wider North West footprint.

We have approximately 855 beds trust-wide and our financial turnover is in excess of £337m.

The Wirral is easily accessible with excellent transport links including motorway, train, bus or ferry and within easy reach to the major cities of Liverpool, Chester and Manchester as well as neighbouring North Wales.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description for further information about the Specialist Biomedical Scientist position available at WUTH.

Person specification

Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training

Essential criteria
  • Degree or equivalent in Biomedical sciences or a qualification acceptable by the Health & Care Professions Council and 3 years Specialist microbiology experience
  • Able to satisfy registration requirements with the Health & Care Professions Council, plus, if registered prior to July 2008, have met registration requirements at the time
  • Completed IBMS Specialist Portfolio Assessment (Diploma)

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria
  • A good understanding of microbiological concepts in relation to patient care and environmental services
  • Demonstrates ability to work competently and unsupervised
  • Demonstrates technical expertise and experience in bacteriology, serology and molecular methods
  • Demonstrates good organisational skills in a pressurised work environment
  • Demonstrates ability to organise, prioritise workload and good time management skills
Desirable criteria
  • Proficient in the use of the laboratory computer systems

Personal Attributes

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrates ability to communicate and relate effectively, clearly and professionally at all levels
  • Adopt a courteous, approachable and helpful manner when dealing with customers, staff and the public
  • Able to work in a team
  • Respond to unexpected changes and adopt a flexible approach
  • Demonstrate adaptable and flexible approach in undertaking duties required of the post
  • Ability and willingness to undergo further training and continual professional development
  • Comply with Trust Health & Safety Policy and Procedures
  • Maintain confidentiality in line with Trust’s Policies
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to motivate and lead staff, evidence of a management or supervisory role
  • Experience of laboratory audit procedure to comply with quality standards

Personal Attributes

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrates ability to communicate and relate effectively, clearly and professionally at all levels. Adopt a courteous, approachable and helpful manner when dealing with customers, staff and the public.
  • Able to work in a team

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Navajo - Merseyside and CheshireDisability confident employerNHS Rainbow badgeHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Nadia Duggan
Job title
Microbiology Service Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01244 362499
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