SHSCT Specialist Biomedical Scientist Bank Band 6 ref:56033582
Branch: Craigavon Area Hospital (SHSCT)
Location: Craigavon Area Hosp-Main Building
Directorate: Adult Community and Acute Services
Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
Contract Type: Bank
Opening date: 13/11/26
Closes: Fri, 27 November 2026 @ 4:00 PM
Interview Dates: To be confirmed
Notes: Online and Manual applications accepted.

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage.

A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026.

Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.

Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards.

Flexible Working
We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role.
Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

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Job Description
Specialist Biomedical Scientist
Bank, Microbiology

Job Summary
This is a zero-hours bank position providing cover for sickness absence, annual leave, training and other service requirements as required, to provide a diagnostic support service to users of the laboratory. The post holder will be required to undertake a range of diagnostic analysis, interpret the results produced and communicate the relevant information to clinicians.

Key Duties / Responsibilities
Technical / Analytical

• Perform all routine tests associated with their area of laboratory medicine, including issuing routine reports (printed reports and/or verbal communication of results to clinicians) or making appropriate referrals for advice where necessary (e.g. in equivocal or extremely complex cases). Reporting may take place in emergency or out of hours circumstances.
• Perform the necessary quality control procedures to ensure the analytical integrity of the results produced, identifying and implementing first line remedial action in the event of QC failure.
• Take responsibility for first line troubleshooting of analysers and equipment, carrying out any repairs which do not require the intervention of the manufacturer's specialist engineers and reporting faults as required.
• Providing the above analytical functions in an out of hours context, where the post-holder is the sole Biomedical Scientist on duty for that discipline.
• Participate in the evaluation of new equipment and techniques, which may involve collation of comparative data and presentation of results.

Organisational

• Assist with the supervision and training of Trainee Biomedical Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants.
• Take responsibility for the area of work allocated by senior staff, including determining how work should be organised in order to meet the constraints of time and quality determined by the laboratories' standard operating procedures.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures and adhere to the standards set down in the directorate's quality manual.
• Be familiar with the operation of relevant computerised information systems within the department, ensuring the accurate entry of laboratory data into the system.
• Participate in audit. Participation to include the design and completion of audits in their own area of work.

Education / Development

• Meet any current and future requirements for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as required for state registration by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Participate in annual appraisal and maintain a portfolio of personal development.

Raising Concerns - Responsibilities

• The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.
• The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust's 'Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)' policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

General Requirements
The post holder will be required to:

• Ensure the Trust's policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.
• Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.
• Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example Smoke Free policy, IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct, and standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour.
• Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.
• Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.
• All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.
• Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.
• Represent the Trust's commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

Personnel Specification
Job Title and Band: Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6)
Department / Directorate: Microbiology Laboratory / SCS

Essential Criteria

• Minimum of one year's experience in a Microbiology laboratory following HCPC registration.
• BSc (or equivalent) in Biomedical Science.
• HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
• Completion of the IBMS Specialist Portfolio (or equivalent) in Microbiology, or demonstrable equivalent experience working at Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Band 6) level in a Microbiology laboratory.
• Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment (waived for applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to an approved form of transport).

Essential Skills / Abilities (assessed at interview)

• Practical laboratory skills
• Analytical skills and the ability to interpret and present data in a meaningful way
• Communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to work alone or under instruction
• Ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
• Flexibility and the ability to work with a range of equipment and techniques
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining standards of service
• Attention to detail
• IT skills

Essential Knowledge (assessed at interview)

• Microbiology laboratory procedures and diagnostic techniques.
• Quality management systems and quality control processes.
• Laboratory health and safety requirements.
• Relevant accreditation and regulatory standards.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed. Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer. All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times.