Specialist Biomedical Scientist- Infectious Sciences

Job Title: Specialist Biomedical Scientist- Infectious Sciences

Location: Taunton

Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 per annum depending on experience

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Are you an experienced Specialist Biomedical Scientist looking to broaden your specialist knowledge, work with advanced diagnostic technology and make a meaningful contribution to patient care?

Southwest Pathology Services (SPS) is seeking a highly motivated and organised Biomedical Scientist, with HCPC registration and IBMS Specialist Portfolio to join our friendly Infection Sciences team. You will join an established Infection Sciences team at our Taunton hub laboratory, where your expertise will contribute to the diagnosis and management of infections across Somerset. Applicants can earn up to £48,117 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. You will be eligible for a Wellbeing Allowance of £1,500 per annum, designed to support your personal and professional well-being. We may also be able to offer relocation expense support for candidates who hold an IBMS Specialist Portfolio in the UK, subject to eligibility and approval.

If you have gained your experience outside the UK, we would be pleased to consider your application where you can demonstrate the appropriate level of specialist experience and meet the relevant HCPC registration and role requirements. We can also consider visa sponsorship for candidates who meet the applicable eligibility criteria.

SYNLAB UK & Ireland has a strong track record of working in partnership with the NHS to enhance pathology services through successful joint ventures, including SPS.

For over 10 years, SPS has supported healthcare improvement across Somerset. We hold ISO15189 UKAS accreditation and are an HCPC-approved laboratory for IBMS Registration and Specialist Portfolio training.

SYNLAB has a strong commitment to investment in both people and services. The laboratory has one of the first new generation KiestrA automated platforms in the UK, with over 40 staff processing 400,000 samples per year.

You will be based within the Infection Sciences laboratory (including Bacteriology, Parasitology, Virology, Molecular and Mycology), at the Hub laboratory site in Taunton. You will be expected to undertake a rotational role across all sections of the department, following successful completion of the required training and competency assessments. As part of the delivery of a seven-day service, you will participate in weekend, bank holiday and on-call rotas, which attract enhanced rates of pay.

Key responsibilities include:

• To perform and interpret routine and specialist Biomedical investigations autonomously to provide patients results within agreed quality standards of service delivery and turnaround times under the supervision of senior staff.
• Work independently, implement and propose changes to procedures for own work area.
• Act as the lead specialist for a designated area within Infection Sciences, such as Quality Management, Health & Safety, Information Technology, or a specific technical discipline, providing expert oversight, driving service development, and ensuring compliance with relevant standards and policies.
• To continue with personal development through academic and/or practical experience.
• To provide professional leadership and training to Basic Grade, Trainee BMS, Associate Practitioners (equivalent grades) and Medical Laboratory Assistants.
• To provide technical advice to clinicians as to the appropriateness of tests and timescales.

About us:

Formed in 2012, Southwest Pathology Services (SPS) is a joint venture between SYNLAB UK & Ireland and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. The partnership serves a population of around 500,000 and delivers services to the Trust and more than 50 GP practices, delivering on over 11 million tests annually. The department is an IBMS accredited training laboratory and has full UKAS accreditation.

A well-established central ‘Hub’ laboratory is based in Taunton, supported by Essential Service Laboratories at Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital to provide urgent testing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SPS promotes continuous professional development through regular seminars, and as part of HCPC registration, staff are expected to maintain an up-to-date CPD portfolio. There is a healthy training budget to allow local/distant attendance at Congress/seminars/symposiums. We are committed to investing in our people, offering excellent development opportunities, supported training, and clear career progression pathways to help you achieve your full potential.

We offer a comprehensive training budget to support career development, providing the resources and opportunities needed for professional growth.

You’ll be entitled to:

• Up to 5 years’ service – 262.5 hours inclusive of 8 days public holiday. After 5 years’ service – 270 hours inclusive of 8 days public holidays
• You may join the SYNLAB Pension Scheme and can contribute any amount from Day 1 provided it remains with HMRC rules. SYNLAB will match your contributions up to 8% provided you are earning a minimum amount of £7,500 pa.
• You will be eligible for a Wellbeing Allowance of £1,500 per annum, designed to support your personal and professional well-being.

Please click on the APPLY button to send your CV and Cover Letter for this role.

Candidates with experience of; Biomedical Scientist, Biomedical Technician, Biochemist, Infectious Sciences Specialist, HCPC Registered Specialist, Biomedical Laboratory Specialist, may also be considered for this role.