Specialty Content

Virology specialty

Virology covers serology, molecular diagnostics, and viral-load monitoring across HIV, hepatitis, respiratory viruses, and emerging infections.

Where the content lives

• Interview page — /virology-interviews — Band 2 through Band 8 questions
• Result Interpretation (virology) — open /result-interpretation and click the Virology card — serology algorithms, viral load monitoring
• Molecular diagnostics PCR training — /biomedical-sciences/molecular-diagnostics-pcr-training-biomedical-scientists
• Specialist Portfolio (Virology) — /portfolio → Specialist Portfolio → Virology
• Virology Phone Simulator — /training-dashboard → Clinical Advisory — phone-call clinical advice scenarios

Key competencies covered

• HIV testing algorithms — 4th generation combo, point-of-care, confirmatory Western blot / line assay
• Hepatitis screening — HBV (HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, HBV DNA), HCV (anti-HCV, HCV RNA), HAV/HEV serology
• Respiratory virus panels — flu A/B, RSV, SARS-CoV-2, multiplex PCR
• Viral load monitoring — HIV RNA, HBV DNA, HCV RNA, CMV, EBV, BK
• Sequencing and genotyping — HCV genotype, HIV resistance, SARS-CoV-2 variants
• Biosafety in virology — Hazard Group 2/3 organism handling (see also article 10 on ACDP Biosafety Simulator)
• Reference labs — UKHSA national referral services

Bands progression

• Band 5 (£32,073-£39,043) — qualified BMS performing routine serology and PCR, recognising reactive samples
• Band 6 (£39,959-£48,117) — specialist algorithm interpretation, validation, training; usually requires Specialist Portfolio in Virology
• Band 7 (£49,387-£56,515) — section lead, on-call advice, governance, MDT participation

Standards alignment

• UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency) — guidance and reference labs
• British HIV Association (BHIVA) — clinical guidelines
• British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) — testing standards
• MHRA for IVD-regulated assays
• NICE guidance — relevant clinical decisions
• UK NEQAS for Microbiology (incorporating Virology schemes)
• ISO 15189:2022 quality framework

Common interview question themes (Band 5-7)

• "Walk me through your HIV testing algorithm — what triggers a confirmatory?"
• "How do you investigate a discrepant HBV serology pattern (e.g. isolated anti-HBc)?"
• "What is your workflow for an unexpected high viral load post-transplant?"
• "How would you handle a Cat 3 specimen that has been mis-labelled as Cat 2?"
• "Describe how you would respond to a respiratory virus outbreak referral"

A good preparation stack: Result Interpretation → Molecular Diagnostics PCR training → Practice Tests filtered to Virology + your Band → AI Interview Coach.