Microbiology: Bacteriology Team Manager

Overview

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and self‑motivated HCPC‑registered Biomedical Scientist with demonstrable management experience in Bacteriology to join us to help further develop and widen our multi‑site laboratory network in the visually stunning Highlands.

Raigmore Hospital, Inverness is a large prestigious general and teaching hospital, providing on‑site a wide range of services in most major specialities. The hospital is one of the five Cancer Centres in Scotland. Raigmore Hospital is an integral part of Aberdeen University Medical School and has close links with Highlands and Islands Health Research Institute. The laboratories at the rural hospitals offer a smaller repertoire multi‑disciplinary service.

There are also some 25 community hospitals offering a range of different services, including some acute care.

The Microbiology/Immunology Department at NHS Highland requires a Bacteriology Team Manager (8a) to join our friendly, dedicated and professional team.

Candidates must have an IBMS Higher specialist portfolio or MSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent, 5 years post‑higher qualifications, management qualification or ILM level 5 and/or suitable experience at band 7 or 8a level. Individuals must also have experience in an ISO 15189 accredited laboratory.

NHS Highlands Microbiology/Immunology is accredited to ISO 15189 by UKAS. POCT microbiology is in place at the four Rural General Hospital network sites and we would like to introduce more as appropriate to the needs of each site, and you will be expected to work with clinicians, management and your teams to facilitate this while at the same time ensuring provision of a safe, effective and efficient service.

This is a fantastic opportunity to live and work in the Scottish Highlands, an area of outstanding natural beauty. The Highlands offer a high quality of life, rich in culture, amazing leisure opportunities and breath‑taking landscapes. For potential applicants who may be looking for a change of lifestyle, the Highlands offer the ultimate outdoor lifestyle since from Inverness there is easy access to the Cairngorms, the West Coast of Scotland and the North Coast 500, which is proving very popular due to the outstanding scenery and beautiful sandy beaches along this route.

In addition, Inverness provides a cultural hub, with Eden Court Theatre & Cinema providing events covering all genres throughout the year. The easily accessible Inverness airport offers regular flights to other parts of the UK.

For any informal enquiries please contact Joanne Smullen on joanne.smullent.

• Effective from 1st April 2026, the Agenda for Change full‑time working week will be reduced from 37 to 36 hours. Part‑time hours will be adjusted on a pro‑rata basis. There will be an increase in the hourly rate to ensure that pay remains unaffected.
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NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

NHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute. We employ over 10,700 people, making us one of the biggest employers in the area. As an organisation, we make a very significant contribution to the local economy.