Dental Consultancy Report Writer

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Operational Services Department of UKHSA as a Dental Consultancy Report Writer. The expected annual income for the operational services department is approximately £4M, of which, the contribution from the DXPS group will typically be in the region of £1.2M. The post holder will be involved in the organisation and delivery of radiation protection services.

Predominantly undertaking the writing of consultancy reports for the Dental X-ray Protection Service (DXPS).

Other occasional duties may include the provision of highly specialised scientific services and scientific research and development work:

• The commercial services of the department: undertaking radiation survey and other work in support of the dental X-ray protection, radiation protection adviser and non-ionising radiation protection adviser services
• Technical, computing, and scientific work underpinning the assessment of radiation exposures and development of advice to clients
• Specialised scientific projects. These require a wide range of skills depending on the nature and area of work, and may involve scientific measurements, laboratory work and mathematical modelling
• Training and supervision of more junior staff
• Providing emergency response support in accordance with the RCCE emergency plan

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

The postholder will predominantly undertake the writing of consultancy reports for dental practices in relation to the requirements of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017. This involves assessing the level of regulatory compliance by reviewing documentation and technical X-ray equipment reports held in the dental practice’s radiation protection file. The consultancy reports concisely state the level of compliance along with advice on how improvements can be achieved.

There may be additional requirements to plan and carry out other scientific duties, including:

• Visiting dental practices to test CBCT X-ray equipment
• Visiting veterinary practices, airports, and other commercial clients to carry out technical assessments of X-ray equipment
• The assessment of measurements and the mathematical calculation of doses to medical and dental patients
• The writing of technical reports incorporating the results of any measurements, recommendations for safe working etc.

Many of these duties will entail working alone and unsupervised. The postholder will be expected to carry out accurate scientific work in accordance with established procedures and protocols, and comment on and develop new standard operating procedures where appropriate. This will require a good level of knowledge and technical skill.

Please note this list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Job description (continued)

The postholder may be responsible for the use and maintenance of complex scientific equipment and will use a range of IT software including databases and software developed in house. These may be used for record keeping and the calculation of scientific information.

Training

Providing assistance in supervising practical exercises and demonstrations of equipment.
The training and supervision of more junior staff.

Emergency Response

Participation in the UKHSA response to radiological emergencies, in accordance with the roles described in the RCCE radiation emergency plan. These roles will include carrying out people monitoring, environmental sampling and measurements as part of an emergency monitoring team, and laboratory analysis of samples. Accordingly, candidates require a full clean UK driving licence.

Professional Development

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 Relationships

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

• Other scientific staff in department up to group leader - daily
• Administration staff in department – daily
• Head of department – occasionally
• Scientific staff in other departments up to group leader – daily/weekly

External

Other scientific and technical organisations – frequently

Contact by phone and occasional direct meetings to discuss a wide range of technical issues

Commercial clients - daily

• Predominantly with clients of the dental X-ray protection service to gather information, discuss interpretation of legislative requirements and provide advice by telephone and in writing
• This is occasionally face to face but more likely to be phone contact with clients at a wide range of levels up to senior management. This will involve the provision of information on the range of services provided and discussing technical requirements, the interpretation of results, the content of written reports and/or other supporting documents
• Occasionally with clients on site during visits to assess radiation equipment and facilities
• Occasionally with clients when contributing to commercial training events. The postholder will be expected to communicate clearly and effectively with delegates.
• These will range from shop-floor staff up to senior managers

Please note this list is not exhaustive.

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

• Scientific based degree (physics, chemistry, biology or maths) or relevant experience of working in dental radiology, radiation protection, interpreting data, or interpreting legislation and/or technical documents
• Knowledge of Microsoft office packages, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to assess complex situations and interpret detailed documents that may include legislation
• Capable or working accurately and consistently in setting up equipment and in making complex measurements
• Ability to work well under pressure and to deadlines and to prioritise the workload
• Ability to communicate effectively, formally, informally, orally and in writing to clients, UKHSA staff and representatives from other organisations
• Technical competence in taking measurements coupled with good numerate ability
• Ability to observe and question to gather information and sift it to disregard the irrelevant and identify key issues
• Excellent organisational skills
• High degree of self-motivation
• Good time management and ability to work to tight deadlines
• Ability to remain focused on a task and concentrate on the matter in hand
• Approachable and open with a high level of integrity and honesty
• Full clean UK driving licence
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Desirable role criteria:

• Good knowledge of radiation protection principles

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,422, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,682 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 15 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)

750 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 750 words. We will not consider any words over 750 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

"Meets all essential" and "Meets some essential criteria” through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

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

• Ability to assess complex situations and interpret detailed documents that may include legislation
• Ability to communicate effectively, formally, informally, orally and in writing to clients, UKHSA staff and representatives from other organisations
• Full clean UK driving licence

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

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (competency)

You will be invited to a remote interview. Interview dates are yet to be confirmed.

During the interview we will assess against the below:

• Knowledge
• Experience
• Skills and Abilities

As a part of the interview process, there will be a written test which will last 30 minutes. You will be asked to write a letter to a customer – and we will judge it based on reasoning, grammar, and spelling.

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

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at one of our sites in Leeds (LS16 6RW) or Glasgow (G51 4LS), or our Scientific Campus in Chilton (OX11 0RQ). 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 one of UKHSA's sites. If you are 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.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

If based at one of our Scientific Campuses, successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.

Eligibility Criteria

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

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.

Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

• £33,422-£40,731 (National)
• £35,587- £43,244 (Outer London)
• £37,749- £45,353 (Inner London)

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

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 : Tom Geldeard
• Email : Tom.Geldeard@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