Job summary
Band 5 Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology
Based at the Cumberland Infirmary, Microbiology Department.

Applications are invited from HCPC registered BMS's .

Experience of working in a microbiology laboratory is required.

The Virology, Immunology and Microbiology departments that make up Infection Sciences are well equipped and are all ISO 15189 accredited. We use Telepath LIMS with ICE electronic requesting and reporting, and Q-Pulse quality management system.

Main duties of the job
The diagnostic workload in Microbiology is approx. 250,000 requests annually with all work centralised at the Cumberland Infirmary site in Carlisle.

We use a range of automated testing platforms including IRIS urine analyser, Mast Urisystem, Dynex DS2, Cepheid and BacTec Blood Culture. We also perform traditional culture for the main laboratory areas and both Parasitology and Mycology are included in our repertoire.

The department is approved for training by the HCPC and IBMS and you will be encouraged to participate in CPD. After suitable training you will be expected to participate in a rota for weekend and out of hours working for which an additional payment will be paid. You should show evidence and be able to demonstrate good planning, organisational and interpersonal skills as well as evidence of competence in problem solving and prioritising workloads. Excellent communication skills are essential for this post. This is a permanent full time position.

About us
At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.

Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time':

• Being a clinically led organisation
• Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust
• A positive patient experience every time
• A great place to work
• Managing our money well

As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.

Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.

Details
Date posted: 23 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year
Per Annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 262-A-26-8247894
Job locations: Cumberland Infirmary, Newtown Road, Carlisle, CA2 7HY, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.

Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit theUK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.

Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies.

Disclosure and Barring Service:
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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:

• Standard Check: £21.50 + Administration cost of £6.50 = £28.00. Deducted from salary over following 4 months or one off payment.
• Enhanced Check: £49.50 + administration cost of £6.50 = £56.00. Deducted from salary over following 4 months or one off payment.

NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:

• 27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
• Flexible working Scheme
• NHS Discounts*
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*
• Excellent opportunities for development*
• Competitive NHS Pension scheme
• Vivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems

*Subject to eligibility

Important Information
Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.

If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.

Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.

Person Specification
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential

• Practical laboratory skills.
• Able to use initiative appropriately within a team.
• Ability to analyse work to determine compliance with standards.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to prioritise work to meet deadlines.
• Good hand/eye co-ordination.
• Keyboard skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to demonstrate the compassionate values and behaviours needed for dignified care

Qualifications
Essential

• BSc in biomedical science or equivalent. HCPC registration.
• HCPC registration

Desirable

• Essential IT skills (EITS) or equivalent.

Experience
Essential

• All areas of chosen discipline.
• Supervision and training.
• Technical audit.

Knowledge
Essential

• Underpinning theory of laboratory practice in area of chosen discipline.
• Laboratory health and safety, COSHH, and risk assessment.
• Continuing professional development with portfolio.
• Equality legislation and best practice.

Other Requirements
Essential

• Flexible approach to working unsocial hours including nights, weekends and public holidays.
• Ability to travel independently between sites.

Personal Circumstances
Essential

• Meticulous
• Motivation
• Enthusiasm

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Cumberland Infirmary, Newtown Road, Carlisle, CA2 7HY, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Infection Sciences Operational Manager
Kevin Bertram
kevin.bertram@ncic.nhs.uk
01228814333

Supporting documents
Privacy notice
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

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 (formerly known as CRB) 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.