Associate Practitioner - Bacteriology

Job summary

• Contributes to providing a professional clinical laboratory service, working effectively as a team member as part of the overall department.
• Performs a number of healthcare science technical activities under supervision, including testing patient samples/audit samples and research work, as appropriate to the training and qualifications of an Associate Practitioner.
• Uses laboratory equipment such as the BD Bactec FX, BD MGIT, Vitek 2, Centrifuges, Cepheid GeneXpert, Densitometers, Biofire FilmArray, MALDI-ToF, Class I and II Microbiology Safety Cabinets (MSC), Sysmex UF-5000, etc., to process patient samples under the supervision of a Biomedical Scientist.
• Maintains records in relation to laboratory activities.
• Will be required to supervise, organise and allocate work and/or train less experienced staff in own area.
• Develop and improve professional expertise.

Job description

The postholder will:

• Be expected to assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. a major disease outbreak.
• Replace stocks of consumables and reagents when required and inform the section leader if back-up stocks are low.
• Assist in the use and maintenance of automated equipment, following manufacturer’s guidelines and training. Also to assist in troubleshooting when equipment problems occur.
• Supervise MLA / HSSW and other support staff.
• Communicate effectively with all members of the Microbiology team at all times.
• Attend training meetings and updates with senior staff on an ad hoc basis
• Liaise with users of the laboratory and to handle general telephone enquiries.
• Undertake any reasonable task delegated by a senior member of staff.
• Use equipment in a safe and responsible manner
• To participate in the provision of a diagnostic service including the production of reliable, relevant and reproducible results.
• To undertake analysis of patient samples in accordance with laboratory protocols and procedures such as testing under supervision routine laboratory specimens and ensuring the validity of test runs according to the test parameters
• Follow the routine procedures for the calibration and maintenance of laboratory equipment and to be responsible for the completion of checklists for the relevant equipment and areas.
• To maintain records for all bacteriological analysis and supporting procedures including records for all reagents prepared in-house as part of Quality Control procedures
• To assist BMS’s where appropriate by planning the day’s work for themselves and those they supervise and proposing relevant changes to work areas as required.
• To prepare and dispatch items for transport and posting recording data as appropriate.
• To perform clerical duties and computer entry of laboratory data.
• To participate in research and/or development work in collaboration with senior staff as required.
• Assist with the provision of samples for all projects undertaken by the laboratory including maintenance of inventories of stored specimens and recording of the specimens used in particular projects.
• Where appropriate, to be responsible for instructing and training MLA / HSSW staff within the Bacteriology Department.
• To maintain personal development through further study and attendance at appropriate courses and meetings as required, and to participate in the internal and external teaching and training programmes.
• Undertake a structured training programme to successfully acquire core competencies outlined in the competency training manual and thereafter maintain the required standards of competence when undertaking duties.
• Assist in the maintenance of safety checks and working to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations.
• To undertake other duties and assume other responsibilities commensurate with this grade.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• NVQ level 3 clinical support work or A level in Science or related subject, or relevant experience working in a laboratory
• Experience of working as a support grade worker in a pathology laboratory
• Experience of the application of Health & Safety practice to pathology laboratories
• Experience of the use of pathology laboratory computer systems
• Experience of the preparation of samples for analysis, including pre- and post-analytical checking
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• IT and keyboard skills
• Ability to work accurately with minimum supervision
• Ability to work with complex analytical equipment
• Ability to plan, prioritise and re-schedule workloads
• Be an effective team worker
• Demonstrate a commitment to personal development
• Able to exercise initiative

Desirable criteria:

• Ability to participate in the delivery of staff training

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.

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

• 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

Competency based

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

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 13 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1000 word supporting statement.

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 C.V –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.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words.

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 that “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:

• NVQ level 3 clinical support work or A level in Science or related subject, or relevant experience working in a laboratory

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

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview - Competency Based

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

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

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 Westbury On Trym, Bristol. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a baseline 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 (CTC)

You will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vettin.g 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. 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.

Salary Information

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.

For this position the Salary will include a MPS - Market Pay Supplement to bring minimum up to £28,164 per annum, pro rata.

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.

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

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 : John Inglis
• Email : john.inglis@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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk