Associate Practioner - Mycology Reference Library

Job summary

The Mycology Reference Laboratory provides a comprehensive service for the diagnosis and management of fungal infections through its specialist laboratory services and expert clinical and technical advice. They organise regular training courses on the identification of pathogenic fungi and houses the national collection of pathogenic fungi (NCPF), which is the only culture collection in the UK specialising in fungi pathogenic to humans and animals.

We are looking for an Associate Practitioner to work in the Mycology Reference Laboratory who will provide a professional clinical laboratory service working effectively as a team member.

They will perform a range of healthcare science clinical technical activities under supervision, including testing patient/audit samples and research work, as appropriate to the training and qualifications of a Healthcare Scientist Associate Practitioner.

They will maintain records in relation to laboratory activities and will be required to supervise, organise and allocate work and/or train less experienced staff in their own area. They will also develop and improve their own professional expertise.

The Associate Practitioner will also be expected to assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature e.g. Bioterrorism incident or major disease outbreak.

Job description

• Participate in provision of a diagnostic service, producing reliable, relevant and reproducible results.
• Under supervision, undertake analysis of patient samples in accordance with lab protocols/procedures ensuring the validity of test results using quality management system.
• Follow routine procedures for the calibration/maintenance of lab equipment and be responsible for completion of checklists for equipment and work areas.
• Maintain records for all mycological analysis and supporting procedures including records for all reagents prepared in-house as part of Quality Control procedures.
• Assist BMS’s where appropriate, plan their day’s work and those they supervise and propose relevant changes to work areas as required.
• Prepare/dispatch items to other departments as appropriate.
• Perform clerical duties including computer entry of lab data.
• Participate in research and/or development work in collaboration with senior staff as required.
• Assist with provision of samples for projects undertaken by the MRL including maintenance of inventories of stored specimens and recording of specimens used in individual projects.
• Where appropriate, be responsible for instructing/training HSSW staff within the MRL.
• Maintain personal development and relevant core competencies through further study and attendance at appropriate courses and meetings as required and participate in internal and external teaching and training programmes.
• Undertake a structured training programme to successfully acquire core competencies outlined in competency training manual and maintain required standards of competence when undertaking duties.
• Assist in maintenance of safety checks and working to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations.

Responsible for Finance & Physical Resources

• Replace stocks of consumables and reagents when required and inform the section leader if back-up stocks are low.
• Assist in use and maintenance of equipment, following manufacturer’s guidelines and training/assisting in troubleshooting when equipment problems occur.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Healthcare Scientist Support Worker (HSSW) and other support staff.

Other Duties

• Undertake any reasonable task delegated by a senior member of staff.
• Use equipment and perform duties in a safe and responsible manner.

Other

• There is a need to concentrate for long periods of time at technically demanding procedures.
• Strenuous physical effort is rarely required.

Professional development

To pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, whilst maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.

It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• 2 x A levels or equivalent to NVQ4 level in a scientific subject or relevant laboratory experience
• Be committed to and focused on quality, promoting high standards
• Be able to make a connection between their work and the benefit to patients and the public
• Be able to actively develop themselves and support others to do the same
• Be understanding of the importance of confidentiality
• Have previous experience of working in a laboratory
• Have previous experience and use of Laboratory Information System (LIMS)
• Be a clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy
• Be able to work effectively as part of a team
• Be adept at problem solving
• Be flexible with their approach to work
• Be a good timekeeper
• Be able to use their initiative
• Have manual dexterity

Desirable Criteria

• Be able to work well with others, is positive and helpful, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others
• Be able to multi-task

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £25,651, UK Health Security Agency contributes £7,431 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information: UKHSA Hub , Civil Service Careers

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy will be evaluated using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge, experience, skills and abilities outlined in the Essential Criteria listed in this job advert.

Application & Sift (Competency-based)

You will be required to complete an application form.

You will be assessed on the listed 14 Essential Criteria. This should outline how your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability. This will be in the form of:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1,000 word Supporting Statement

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement.

The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV – please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1,500 but your Supporting Statement must be no more than 1,000 words.

Longlisting

If a large number of applications are received, we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only those that "Meets all essential criteria" will progress to shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist against the lead criteria as follows:

• 2 A levels or equivalent to NVQ4 level in a scientific subject or relevant laboratory experience

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview (Competency-based)

You will be invited to a single face-to-face interview in Bristol.

Exact location and date(s) to be confirmed.

In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

During the interview we will assess against the below:

• Knowledge
• Experience
• Skills and Abilities

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Salary Information

Grade: Administrative Officer (AO):
AO National minimum: £25,651 per annum, pro rata
AO National maximum: £27,220 per annum, pro rata

There is a Market Pay Supplement attached to this role to bring the salary up to a minimum of £28, 164 until 31/03/2027.

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Location

This role is being offered based at Southmead Hospital, Southmead, Bristol BS10 5NB.

Security Clearance Level

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.

The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK. The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Internal Fraud Check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Sarah Handy
• Email : Sarah.handy@ukhsa.co.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@ukhsa.co.uk

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/v7612451

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