Specialist Biomedical Scientist
SYNLAB Pay Band 6
Main area: Infectious Sciences
Grade: SYNLAB Pay Band 6
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Core hours 08:30 - 17:00 Monday to Sunday. Late shift 12:30 - 20:00. On-call, Monday - Friday 19:30 - 08:30, On-call, Saturday & Sunday 17:00 - 08:30)
Job ref: J206-RAF-179-B
Site: Southwest Pathology Services
Town: Taunton
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 per annum depending on experience
Closing: 16/08/2026 23:59

The place to work in pathology
We are looking for top talent to join the UK’s leading and fastest growing pathology company – a scientific organisation with a clinical purpose.

Job overview
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 Science team. Applicants can earn up to £48,117 per annum depending on qualifications and experience and subject to agreement, may be entitled to a £10,000 welcome bonus.

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 Infectious Sciences laboratory (including Bacteriology, Parasitology, Virology, Molecular and Mycology), at the Hub laboratory site in Taunton. There will be a requirement to rotate within all areas, subject to completion of suitable training. The department operates 7 days per week with rota for weekend working, on-call and bank holidays- all these have pay enhancements.

We'd be able to provide sponsorship to those who meet the eligibility criteria.

Main duties of the job
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 maintain the standards of conduct required by the Health Professions Council to practice as a registered Biomedical Scientist.
• To provide technical advice to clinicians as to the appropriateness of tests and timescales.
• To assist and carry out duties as directed in Health and Safety, audit, training, incident reporting and quality assurance/quality control

Working for our organisation
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.

All staff commencing on SYNLAB Hospital terms and conditions are subject to a 3 month probationary period and may be entitled to a welcome bonus of £10,000.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To provide technical advice to clinical staffs.
• Together with Senior staff help ensure compliance with all policies as required by regulatory directives, accreditation bodies and local management.
• Utilise the laboratory LIMS, Q-Pulse quality monitoring system and other application software according to authorised protocols including assisting in computer data entry in all areas of the laboratory, document review, non-conformance review and quality assurance processes.
• Communicate efficiently, courteously and with clarity at all times, whether face to face, telephone or electronic methods referring enquiries to senior staff where appropriate. Matters being communicated may include complex information and/or results.
• Attend and participate positively in laboratory and other meetings as directed by Laboratory senior staff.
• Demonstrate on going competency against training plans and participate positively in CPD (continuous professional development) activities.

For further details please see the attached JD.

Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria

• HPC State Registration as a Biomedical Scientist with a Biomedical degree or equivalent and evidence of CPD

Desirable criteria

• IBMS membership
• Progress towards a higher degree or management qualification

Experience
Essential criteria

• Experience to post graduate diploma level e.g.: Specialist portfolio
• At least 2 years relevant experience post HPC registration as a BMS with on-going specialist training
• Advanced working knowledge of Biomedical techniques and practices

Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria

• Able to work independently, implements and proposes changes to procedures for own work area. May be a lead specialist.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information accurately verbally, written and electronically
• Ability to analyse and technically interpret complex test results
• Good understanding of Quality Management System with reference to ISO/UKAS

Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.

For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.

All employees are entitled to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Ground breaking development opportunities

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.

Please apply for this post on-line. If you have problems with using the online process, or need any assistance, please email recruitment@synnovis.co.uk

Your e-mail address is important to us. We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications.

If you decide to apply for this post but do not hear back from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been short-listed on this occasion.

Thank you for your interest in SYNLAB.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.

Documents to download

• Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, 373.1KB)

Further details / informal visits contact
Name: Andrew Lawton
Job title: Advanced Practitioner
Email address: Andrew.lawton@somersetft.nhs.uk

If you have problems applying, contact
Address: SYNLAB

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Telephone: 01629 702342

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