Associate Practitioner

Job summary

The post holder will be supervised whilst participating in a structured practical educational programme. After assessment of competencies, routine procedures involving scientific, technical and interpretive work will be performed on a wide range of samples, aiding biomedical scientists and clinicians in the effective diagnosis and treatment of the patient.

You will be responsible for carrying out specific duties in a section of the laboratory, rotating through different sections and will supervise and train MLAs when appropriate. The post holder will be expected to assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. a Bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak, e.g. SARS, COVID19

The post holder will be required to work within a rotational shift pattern which may include shifts throughout the department, 24 hours a day / 7days per week, to meet service needs.

Working for your organisation

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 https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Job description

Analytical and technical duties

• To become competent in receiving samples, performing routine tests to completion and reporting of results according to specified protocols and procedures, under supervision of a qualified Biomedical Scientist.
• To be trained in the use of various techniques, analysers, machinery, microscopes and other technological equipment, to achieve an appropriate level of competence and quality.
• To record test results and maintain records according to local procedures and protocols.
• Processing specimens, sub culturing of specimens, cleaning and maintenance of equipment, assisting BMS staff in analytical techniques, and use of automated equipment within Containment Level 3 laboratory.
• To be capable of aiding the medical laboratory assistants in the initial processing of samples, including the interpretation of clinical information and be available to cover in their absence

Planning and organisational tasks / duties

• To be competent to deal with routine maintenance associated with the daily running of analysers and equipment
• Under supervision, to plan and prioritise work effectively to meet departmental deadlines.

Patient / service user related tasks /duties

• To be trained in ensuring accuracy and validity of results prior to release
• After appropriate supervision, provide routine technical advice to clinicians and other staff groups
• After suitable training, be able to liaise with biomedical scientists, medical and nursing staff to help improve and maintain relationships, service and ultimately patient care
• To assist in delivering a quality service to customers within agreed timescales

Responsibilities for information resources

• To become competent with the laboratory computer system for the entering of patient requests and results
• To ensure that all data is entered and recorded correctly, complying with the Data protection Act
• To be trained in using the Trust’s patient information system, PIMs and Anglia Ice
• To operate a UKHSA e-mail account and the UKHSA intranet service to facilitate the exchange of information

Responsibilities for human resources

• To become familiar with and comply to all personnel and official operational policies of the UKHSA and MFT where appropriate
• To adhere to all laboratory standard examination procedures for the processing of samples and performing tests
• To participate in all departmental meetings and appraisal schemes
• To participate, under supervision, in relevant clinical and scientific accreditation schemes, and maintain these standards once accreditation is fully achieved

Responsibilities for financial resources

• To be competent to monitor stocks of consumables and reagents and alert senior departmental staff to any apparent shortages
• To use departmental resources in a cost-effective manner
• To use all equipment and analysers in a safe manner, under supervision

Research and development

• To assist biomedical scientists in any agreed research projects undertaken by the laboratory, including clinical trials
• To participate in the evaluation of new items of equipment and diagnostic reagents, under supervision

Training

• To remain aware of developments and advances relevant to the work of the department. This may include taking part in training activities outside the department by arrangement with the Lead Biomedical Scientist.
• To maintain a personal portfolio which includes an up-to-date record of personal technical competency and professionalism by following CPD (Continual Professional Development) routes and attending courses as appropriate.
• To train less experienced staff in the specific areas of work.
• You will be expected to openly share knowledge and experience with colleagues.
• Attend mandatory training sessions as required by the UKHSA.

Other

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 the UKHSA.

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.

Professional Development

• You should 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.
• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events.
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

Key Working Relationship

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include.

Internal

• Hospital and Laboratory Staff
• University Staff

External

• Customers
• Members of the Public

Person specification

Essential role criteria (including qualifications, licenses and registrations):

• Educated to Minimum of three GCSEs including English Language, mathematics and a science subject or equivalent qualification (e.g. Functional skills).
• NVQ3 leading to Foundation degree in Health Sciences (or equivalent level of knowledge in physics, chemistry, biology or experience in laboratory).
• Experience with electronic handling of data and fluent keyboard skills.

• Previous experience of working in a microbiology healthcare laboratory

• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality

• Conscientious, methodical approach to duties

• Demonstration of good interpersonal skills

• The ability to work using own initiative and without supervision

• Showing a willingness to learn and improve

• Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team

• Problem solving skills

• An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust.

• Good time keeping

• Flexible approach to work

• Ability to follow written protocols

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%

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 assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift (Competency based)

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

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

Health jobs UK has a word limit of 1,500 but your supporting statement must be no more than 1,000 words.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

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 us your CV.

Longlisting

In the event of a large number of applications, we may longlist into 3 piles of:

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

If used, the pile(s) ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• Previous experience of working in a microbiology healthcare laboratory

Stage 2: Interview stage (Competency based)

You will be invited to a single face to face interview in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, Experience, Skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

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 - External

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

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our site in Manchester Royal Infirmary.
You will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. 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.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is:

• Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)
• Counter-terrorist Check (CTC)

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.

Careers website

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

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

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : Laboratory Recruitment
• Email : laboratory.recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.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 here.

http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7809829