Job summary
Are you fascinated by viruses? Then you are the right person to join our team of Biomedical Scientists, in Virology.

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Band 5 HCPC Biomedical Scientist to join our team based in Virology at Blackpool Teaching Hospital Hospital. Previous experience of working in an NHS laboratory would be desirable. Consideration will be given to those with an accredited biomedical science degree working towards their registration portfolio.

We are a very busy, well-equipped laboratory and receive a variety of patient samples, such as blood urine, faeces and swabs from both hospital and community patients in Blackpool and the Fylde coast. We are accredited by UKAS (ISO15189) and are an IBMS approved training laboratory.

Previous applicants need not apply

Main duties of the job
As a Biomedical Scientist, you are an integral part of the team; responsible for identifying pathogens which cause disease either by PCR or analysing serological results in order to aid the diagnosis of infection.

We provide the information that medical staff use to determine appropriate treatment options to help our patients quickly and effectively. As well as this, you would be involved with the maintenance and troubleshooting of various automated systems including Alinity, Ingenius, Vidas and Cobas 4800.

You will need to be enthusiastic about providing an excellent standard of work which contributes to patient care. You should be highly motivated, computer literate, demonstrate good interpersonal skills, and always remain respectful of the Trust values. You will be supported in your training by our dedicated team of experienced staff who will ensure all your training needs are met to become competent in all areas.

This position is full time working 37.5 hours a week between the hours of 8am and 6pm, weekends and Bank Holidays. Once established, you will partake in the weekend rota whereby lone working may be required

About us
We have fantastic people working hard to deliver quality services to our patients. Whatever your role, you help look after 1.5 million people across Lancashire and Cumbria.

Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients and staff, ensuring we keep thriving and delivering outstanding healthcare right across our local towns.

You'll have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet fab people and do things you'd never have done. You'll learn about working in a hospital, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills and enhance your career path.

You'll make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold and help innovate to keep improving things. Everything we do centres around patient care which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of.

Job responsibilities

• Perform a range of laboratory tests autonomously and demonstrate an understanding of the scientific basis for tests and the disease processes under investigation.
• Be able to work on a shift rota, covering seven days a week
• To communicate, as appropriate, using information technology
• To direct more junior staff regarding technical and work issue
• Dealing with telephone enquiries from nurses, clinicians, healthcare practitioners, giving technical advice on results and use of the service
• Appropriate recording of Inventory management within the section to ensure accurate stock management.
• To assist in effective verbal and written communication by qualified and unqualified staff
• Report any issues to an appropriate person

We look forward to you joining our close-knit Virology family. The environment is busy but you will embrace this and enjoy the challenge of working to tight turn-around-times and targets. You will go home after your working day knowing you have made a positive difference to the patients we serve.

An advert can only contain so many words but we are available to answer any questions you may have regarding the role before you apply.

Essential

• Accredited Biomedical science degree
• Experience of working in a microbiology/virology clinical pathology laboratory.
• Understanding of health and safety legislation pertaining to clinical laboratories
• Understand the components of a quality management system

Desirable

• IBMS membership
• HCPC registered with experience in Microbiology/Virology
• Understanding of laboratory quality issues
• Familiar with Pathology LIMS
• Supervisory skills

Salary
£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Closing date: 28 October 2026

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions. 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. Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Apply through our website.