Chief Biomedical Scientist Microbiology Pathology H&S Lead CL3 Manager

Please note - THIS POST IS ONLY OPEN TO KENT AND MEDWAY PATHOLOGY NETWORK STAFF (I.E. THOSE EMPLOYED BY DARTFORD AND GRAVESHAM NHS TRUST, MEDWAY NHS TRUST, EAST KENT HOSPITALS NHS TRUST, MAIDSTONE AND TUNBRIDGE WELLS NHS TRUST). ANY APPLICATIONS FROM PEOPLE NOT EMPLOYED BY THE NETWORK WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

The post holder will provide operational leadership and management to staff within the Microbiology department at Darent Valley Hospital as well as operational Leadership and support for Health and Safety management at both Darent Valley and Medway Maritime hospital sites.

They will provide leadership for service transformation, the implementation of operational and clinical innovations for the Department. They will provide line management to the Biomedical Scientists (BMS), Associate Practitioners (AP) and Health Care Support Workers (HSSWs) as well as overall management for all staff within the aligned service.

They will participate in drafting, implementing and reviewing departmental policies and guidelines, ensure the service runs smoothly and efficiently over the 24-hour period, ensure the adoption and alignment to national guidance and local pathways processes and protocols and that the service adheres to the quality standards as set out within the QMS/ Quality Manual and NKPS annual plans.

This position will not be supported for visa sponsorship. All applicants are expected to have valid right to work document to work in the UK when applying for this position.

Main duties of the job

A key part of the postholder's role will be to develop and implement systems and procedures within microbiology to enable the service to run effectively and to ensure it complies with legal requirements including ensuring the attainment and maintenance of UKAS Accreditation and ISO 15189 standards.

The post holder will undertake the role of CL3 Manager, implementing and monitoring the continued safe working in the facility, ensuring legal requirements are met at all times and will also act as Pathology H&S Lead, providing the necessary expertise and leadership to the Pathology H&S committee, representing the Microbiology department and Pathology at both Dartford and Medway sites, Care group safety and governance committees, highlighting compliance and issues. The role will require an element of cross-site working.

The post holder will also have the responsibility of managing a large team of Biomedical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Support staff as well as managing the department E-rostering systems.

Acting as a deputy for Head of Microbiology in their absence and support major internal and external project plans.

About us

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Details

Date posted

01 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£59,798 to £67,020 a year

per annum inclusive of allowances

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

252-8292089

Job locations

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Chief BMS and Technical tasks and responsibilities

Manage Health and Safety and CL3 facility compliance, development and innovations within NKPS.

Develop and implement systems and procedures within Microbiology to enable the service to run effectively

Participate in the specification and procurement of equipment, reagents and consumables ensuring best value for money.

Undertake routine analytical work involving both automated and manual techniques as required.

Participate in any research and development projects undertaken by the Department as required.

Ensure all equipment is adequately maintained with up to date maintenance records.

Please see attached job description for further information

Job responsibilities

Chief BMS and Technical tasks and responsibilities

Manage Health and Safety and CL3 facility compliance, development and innovations within NKPS.

Develop and implement systems and procedures within Microbiology to enable the service to run effectively

Participate in the specification and procurement of equipment, reagents and consumables ensuring best value for money.

Undertake routine analytical work involving both automated and manual techniques as required.

Participate in any research and development projects undertaken by the Department as required.

Ensure all equipment is adequately maintained with up to date maintenance records.

Please see attached job description for further information

Person Specification

Education and Training

Essential

• HCPC Registration.
• A national accredited degree or equivalent. Microbiology, Virology or Biomedical Science MSc and/or Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Science.
• NEBOSH certificate
• Other level 7 study
• Evidence of CPD

Desirable

• Management or leadership Postgraduate Qualification
• Management of CL3 qualification

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Up to date knowledge of Health and Safety matters and regulations including HSE, ACDP, ISO, DOH
• Knowledge and application of current microbiology/laboratory health & safety legislation
• Understanding of general developments in the NHS and how these affect Pathology services generally.

Desirable

• Specialised knowledge of techniques used in serological and immunological analyses
• Knowledge and understanding of molecular assays

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience as a Senior BMS or above in a busy, ISO accredited Microbiology/Virology laboratory
• Experience in all areas of clinical microbiology and serology
• Experience with implementation of new technology, equipment, verification and validation processes.
• Experience of Pathology IT systems

Desirable

• Experience in undertaking and developing molecular virology diagnostics.

Person Specification

Education and Training

Essential

• HCPC Registration.
• A national accredited degree or equivalent. Microbiology, Virology or Biomedical Science MSc and/or Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Science.
• NEBOSH certificate
• Other level 7 study
• Evidence of CPD

Desirable

• Management or leadership Postgraduate Qualification
• Management of CL3 qualification

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Up to date knowledge of Health and Safety matters and regulations including HSE, ACDP, ISO, DOH
• Knowledge and application of current microbiology/laboratory health & safety legislation
• Understanding of general developments in the NHS and how these affect Pathology services generally.

Desirable

• Specialised knowledge of techniques used in serological and immunological analyses
• Knowledge and understanding of molecular assays

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience as a Senior BMS or above in a busy, ISO accredited Microbiology/Virology laboratory
• Experience in all areas of clinical microbiology and serology
• Experience with implementation of new technology, equipment, verification and validation processes.
• Experience of Pathology IT systems

Desirable

• Experience in undertaking and developing molecular virology diagnostics.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

NHS Careers website .

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

NHS Careers website .

Employer details

Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

Chief BMS and Technical tasks and responsibilities

Manage Health and Safety and CL3 facility compliance, development and innovations within NKPS.

Develop and implement systems and procedures within Microbiology to enable the service to run effectively

Participate in the specification and procurement of equipment, reagents and consumables ensuring best value for money.

Undertake routine analytical work involving both automated and manual techniques as required.

Participate in any research and development projects undertaken by the Department as required.

Ensure all equipment is adequately maintained with up to date maintenance records.

Please see attached job description for further information

Education and Training

Essential

• HCPC Registration.
• A national accredited degree or equivalent. Microbiology, Virology or Biomedical Science MSc and/or Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Science.
• NEBOSH certificate
• Other level 7 study
• Evidence of CPD

Desirable

• Management or leadership Postgraduate Qualification
• Management of CL3 qualification

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Up to date knowledge of Health and Safety matters and regulations including HSE, ACDP, ISO, DOH
• Knowledge and application of current microbiology/laboratory health & safety legislation
• Understanding of general developments in the NHS and how these affect Pathology services generally.

Desirable

• Specialised knowledge of techniques used in serological and immunological analyses
• Knowledge and understanding of molecular assays

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience as a Senior BMS or above in a busy, ISO accredited Microbiology/Virology laboratory
• Experience in all areas of clinical microbiology and serology
• Experience with implementation of new technology, equipment, verification and validation processes.
• Experience of Pathology IT systems

Desirable

• Experience in undertaking and developing molecular virology diagnostics.