Job summary
- Main area
- Microbiology
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Extended working days (7am-10pm), weekends and bank holidays on rotation)
- Job ref
- 418-AHP646-KS
- Employer
- Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Bedford Hospital South Wing
- Town
- Bedford
- Salary
- £24,625 - £25,674 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 12/05/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Biomedical Support Worker - Microbiology
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
We are seeking a Biomedical Support Worker to join the Microbiology department at Bedford Hospital. The laboratory is equipped with a variety of equipment including the BioMerieux BacT/Alert Virtuo, BD MGIT, DS2, the BioMerieux Vidas and Biofire, Roche Cobas 6800, Cepheid GeneXpert and Bruker Maldi-TOF.
The laboratory has recently merged with the L&D Hospital Microbiology department and delivers a range of investigations to Bedford Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital and the surrounding GPs. The department is UKAS accredited to ISO 15189:2012 and is an IBMS approved training laboratory.
You will work as part of the Microbiology team to provide a high level of microbiological analysis to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment.
Previous laboratory/hospital experience is desirable, but full training will be given.
You will have a minimum of GCSE s (or equivalent) in English Language, Science, with good numerical, literacy and communication skills.
Core hours of work are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday with participation in the shift pattern, including weekends, once fully trained.
Shift pattern: 07:00 - 22:00
The post holder will work under the supervision of Biomedical Scientists performing a range of microbiological techniques to assist in the clinical diagnosis of microbiological disease.
Following training the post holder would be expected to participate in the shift pattern which will including working weekends and bank holidays.
Main duties of the job
Details of specific service/department responsibilities, accountabilities and objectives are listed in the Role Descriptor document incorporated with this generic Biomedical Support Worker job description.
The post holder will contribute to the day to day operations and limited technical aspects of the service.
The post holder will assist Higher Biomedical Support Workers, BMS and senior laboratory BMS in the delivery of a high quality, efficient and effective service, through the Quality Management System [QMS].
The post holder is expected to follow policies and procedures ensuring that the service complies with current UKAS standards, national and European legislation and discipline specific regulatory bodies.
The post holder may be required to assist in the training of other support staff.
Working for our organisation
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.
Our values
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities.
To assist Higher Biomedical Support Workers, BMS and laboratory senior BMS in the implementation and delivery of a cohesive service.
To follow the quality policy for the department including the agreed quality objectives.
To follow the UKAS standards for the department using the Pathology Quality Management System as established, to fulfil the quality circles and audit inherent to the ISO 15189 standards of compliance.
To assist in actions required as determined, to resolve nonconformities that are recorded by internal and/or external audits and/or complaints.
To follow the Standard Operating Procedures [SOP] for the department utilising the
Document Management Module of the Q-Pulse system.
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
- GCSE's or equivalent in Science or Science related subject
- GCSE's or equivalent in English Language
Desirable criteria
- A Levels of equivalent in Science or Science related subject
- BSc in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
- Ability to organise own work
Desirable criteria
- Experience within Microbiology
- Experience using LIMS (WinPath Enterprise)
- Some experience of a Hospital laboratory environment
Skills
Essential criteria
- Standard keyboard skills
- Excellent inter-personal skills
- Ability to tolerate exposure to highly unpleasant substances and infectious substances
- Personal integrity
- Flexible approach
Desirable criteria
- Data entry skills
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Fundamental laboratory practice including H&S
- Specimen preparation
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Deborah Karim
- Job title
- Microbiology Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01234 795913
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
Kempston Road
Bedford
MK42 9DJ
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