Data Manager (Laboratory Informatics)

Job summary

We are seeking a Data Manager who will join the Bioinformatics team of the Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (AMR & HCAI) Division and support management of epidemiological and pathogen genomics data across several areas, including but not limited to:

• Surgical Site Infection Surveillance (SSI)
• Streptococcal Infections
• Antimicrobial Resistance and Prescribing (AMRP)
• Mandatory Surveillance of Bloodstream Infections including Gram negative infections and Clostridium difficile
• Infections in Critical Care Units (ICCU)

Much of the required data is generated by UKHSA laboratories that provide reference services for healthcare acquired pathogens and those prone to develop AMR, principally the Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (AMRHAI) Reference Unit within the UKHSA’s Bacteriology Reference Department (BRD), to which the post is closely linked.

AMRHAI is the national reference laboratory for investigation of antibiotic resistance in, and characterization of, healthcare associated bacterial pathogens and works closely with the AMR & HCAI Division.

Job description

The Data Manager shall lead the development and management of laboratory information systems within labs including LIMS, MOLIS, WHONet, workload analysis and business intelligence. They shall provide data outputs from various sources in the unit, assist with service development work, including through the use of IT and informatics skills, facilitate computer-assisted work processes and greater use of automation.

Responsibilities include the integration of pathogen whole genome sequencing data into laboratory service delivery and AMR & HCAI Division surveillance.

Duties include:

To be responsible for the development and management of information systems within the relevant labs including LIMS, MOLIS, WHONet, workload analysis, and business intelligence.

• To advise the lab management team on the development and implementation of information systems as described above.
• To represent labs on pathogen genomics working groups, other IT-related committees including the groups for MOLIS and other IT/LIMS issues.
• To advise lab staff on data handling and analysis issues e.g., building data extraction queries and linkage of data.
• To produce and edit presentation of data for lab reports.
• To lead or participate in the development and deployment of databases and informatics tools within the relevant labs.
• To facilitate introduction of computer-assisted work processes, greater use of automation, and LIMS aspects of integrating whole genome sequencing, or other pipelines into service delivery and surveillance.
• To be responsible for training staff in the use of departmental databases (including MOLIS superusers), applications, and other software tools or, where appropriate, to define training needs including their own and identify suitable courses.
• Ensure all information systems adhere to UKHSA Data Protection policy and all Caldicott regulations.
• To prepare papers and reports, and present work at appropriate meetings.

Quality

In collaboration with relevant lab management and the Quality Team, to:

• Maintain a high standard of work and appraise and contribute to developing the service of the unit so that service delivery is safe, effective and follows best practice.
• Contribute to audits within the unit as scheduled by the Quality Manager.
• Take every opportunity to suggest quality improvements.

Information Technology

• To contribute to the development of information technology systems and databases as required, including appropriate databases.
• To use software packages appropriate for word processing, presentations, data analysis, as well as specialist bioinformatics packages as required.
• To liaise with LIMS super users and IT colleagues on the introduction of new tests and to facilitate the authorisation of reports at technical and medical level on the MOLIS database.
• To ensure that websites and webpages referring to UKHSA reference services are developed and regularly maintained.
• To undertake risk assessment for all new and existing work and to ensure that controls are implemented, monitored and maintained.

Safety

• To attend safety training courses as required in the UKHSA Health and Safety Training Policy and other safety policies as appropriate.

This is not an exhaustive list and is only an outline of the main duties and responsibilities required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager and team.

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

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• MSc in Life Sciences or Computer Science that include modules on database design, implementation, and usage or equivalent experience in database design, implementation and usage.
• Expertise in design, building and querying databases (MS Access and at least one other major Relational Database Management System e.g. postgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle).
• Knowledge and excellent skills in information technologies.
• Experience of working in and an understanding of the IT requirements of a reference or clinical microbiology laboratory.
• Good attention to detail and precision.
• Ability to communicate information to all grades of staff in an accurate and fluent manner.
• Self-motivating.
• Ability to work well in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Evidence of continued professional development
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in bioinformatics and biostatistics.
• Knowledge of data security, information governance and confidentiality issues.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,310, UK Health Security Agency contributes £13,416 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 https://gov.uk/ukhsa/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 is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience, Technical Skills and Abilities.

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

Application & Sift

At sift stage you will be assessed against the 10 Essential Criteria listed in this job advert.

You will be required to complete an:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• A 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 listed in this job advert.

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.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1,500 but your supporting statement must beno 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

Only those that 'Meets all Essential Criteria' will progress to Shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the following Essential Criteria:

• Experience of working in and an understanding of the IT requirements of a reference or clinical microbiology laboratory.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/successful candidates.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview

You will be invited to a face-to-face interview at Colindale Scientific Campus, London.

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

Behaviours and Experience being assessed at interview will be as follows:

• Changing and Improving - Lead Behaviour
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

You will be asked to prepare and present a 5–10-minute presentation describing a data management project or function that you have contributed to.

The objective is to assess your ability to communicate, and for us to understand your approach to data management. You should include examples of source code and/or database queries you contributed to the project and explain how these work.

Examples of projects to present include: the development and management of a laboratory information system; facilitating computer-assisted work processes or automation; building data extraction queries; and/or linkage of data. Also suggested will be to highlight key considerations in schema design, data flow and user training and, where appropriate, examples of computer application source code or database queries to demonstrate your coding style and practices.

Technical Skills and Abilities will be assessed through your presentation and technical questions based on your presentation.

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).

Location information

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Colindale Scientific Campus, London.

We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at our Campus.

Salary Information

Grade: SEO

SEO Inner: £46,310 - £52,113 per annum, pro rata

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.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check.

Based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of 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.

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: Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers

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.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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

http://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/v7850789