University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Senior Biomedical Scientist
The closing date is 23 November 2026

Job summary
Applications are invited from suitably experienced HCPC registered Senior Biomedical Scientists to join our busy team within the Department of Histology based at Derriford Hospital Plymouth.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, highly adaptable person who is a good team player and communicator and has the ability to liaise effectively with colleagues and service users.

Candidates who have completed an IBMS Specialist Portfolio and are working towards either the IBMS Higher Specialist Portfolio, an MSc and have demonstrable experience of working within this area will be considered.

As the future of Pathology evolves, there will be requirements to offer a 7 day, 24/7 service.

Please note: When applying for this role, it is your duty to ensure you meet the requirements for any right to work or visa stipulations.

Main duties of the job
To manage and be in technical charge of a section of the Bacteriology service. Required to check all aspects of the quality of teamwork, to detect problems and take appropriate remedial action where necessary. Manage daily staff rotas for work allocation and training for medical staff, clinical scientists, other Biomedical Scientists, new staff, students and support staff.

Manage the laboratory information service for own speciality on a daily basis allowing service users/clients access to accurate and updated patient test results.

As a specialised staff member, you will be required to train and demonstrate methodologies on complex analytical equipment to medical staff, clinical scientists, other BMS staff, new starters, students and support workers. You will have great communication skills and leadership qualities to empower your team in a complex and busy department.

To ensure technical standards are maintained through internal and external QA schemes in accordance with ISO 15189:2022 standards for accreditation. To support the delivery of a high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare service.

Applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.

About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details
Date posted: 09 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 216-SF-DB8377447
Job locations: Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom

Job description
For full information please see the Job Description and Personal Specification attached to this vacancy.

University Hospitals Plymouth Microbiology Department is based at the Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. We provide diagnostic and clinical services. We deliver high quality, efficient, ISO15189 accredited, pathology services across Bacteriology, Mycology, Molecular and Virology.

Person Specification
Knowledge and experience
Essential

• Ability to demonstrate and apply proven knowledge of the Pathology of disease in one or more disciplines within Histology
• Specialist proven knowledge and demonstrable experience in the technical field of a Pathology discipline
• High level, specialised technical skills

Desirable

• Participation in the Institute of Biomedical Sciences CPD scheme
• Advanced Computing skills

Qualifications
Essential

• Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (FIBMS) by examination or hold an MSc in Biomedical Sciences or significant equivalent experience in a specialist discipline in Pathology.
• State registration with Health Care Professions Council as a Biomedical Scientist.
• Supervisory skills course - Trust or equivalent

Desirable

• Trust recognised trained risk assessor
• Recognised management qualification or attendance at short courses on relevant management issues i.e. interviewing, managing people, managing sickness etc.

Aptitude & Abilities
Essential

• Excellent communication skills, being able to deal with patients and staff at all levels of the organisation with tact and diplomacy
• Communicate with company representatives and staff from external organisations including other NHS Trusts.
• Able to present information in a number of formats including MS PowerPoint

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.

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address: Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Microbiology Laboratory Manager, Charlotte Barrett, charlotte.barrett21@nhs.net, 01752433270

Supporting documents
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