Deputy Lead Biomedical Scientist/Automation Lead

Job summary

The laboratory in Bristol is situated within the Severn Pathology suite of laboratories at North Bristol NHS Trust Southmead site. The service is delivered by collaboration between North Bristol NHS Trust and UKHSA. The laboratory also has management input into a hot lab and near patient testing initiatives in University Hospitals Bristol. The laboratory receives more than 1 million specimens a year from a large number of clinical specialties across the Bristol and Bath hospital trusts, primary care, as well as referred specimens from the wider Southwest region and beyond, which contribute to an interesting and varied workload with a continuous assay review and development program.

Job description

The post holder will:

• Act as the Deputy Laboratory manager for the Microbiology Department, taking responsibility for the management of the department, the laboratory and clerical staffs, and the management of the department’s technical services.
• Lead the refresh of the microbiology automation from procurement to go live
• Act as a higher specialist registered Biomedical Scientist who provides scientific services to patients and clients as an aid to clinical diagnosis.
• Be responsible for managing the operations of the laboratory to maintain an efficient and effective service and provide advice on technical issues.
• Be involved in the strategic planning of the department service together with the formulation and implementation of departmental policies and practice affecting service delivery in terms of automation refresh
• Work with the laboratory management team to allocate staff and resources to maximum benefit and contribute to policy and practice change
• Encourage the highest professional standards through personal and staff development.
• Undertake duties as agreed with the Laboratory Manager and within the context of the objectives of the UKHSA and NBT
• Supervise the day to day activity of the laboratory including staff organization and workflow management.
• Have good accuracy and attention to detail

Clinical Governance

• To ensure compliance with the Trust Clinical Governance policies.
• Conduct and participate in audit processes, clinical trials, research and development projects, as required by the Head of Service / Consultant Medical staff.
• To assist in the management, implementation and monitoring of Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities, and assist the department in maintaining UKAS accreditation to ISO15189
• To act as departmental quality officer, liaising with quality
• Investigate clinical and non-clinical incidents in relation to the department and reports to the laboratory manager in accordance with Trust and UKHSA incident reporting policy.
• To implement and ensure safe working environment for staff and visitors ensuring compliance with local and national Safety policies and fire regulations.

Management

• Responsible for the operational functions of the bacteriology department liaising with other departmental managers in accordance with UKHSA and laboratory policies and procedures.
• Evaluation of capital equipment and tenders, making recommendations to the laboratory manager based upon requirements for additional resources and new developments.
• To ensure adequate care, maintenance and security of laboratory premises and equipment.
• Troubleshoot, repair and maintain specialist instrumentation to ensure optimal operation and to make minor adjustments as required. This includes coordinating with company engineers to maximize the correct operation of essential equipment.
• To monitor and maintain appropriate stock levels and facilitate deliveries.
• As a member of the laboratory management team take an active role in the recruitment, interviewing, selection and induction of new staff.
• To assist the Laboratory Manager with complaints, grievances, capability and minor disciplinary issues. .
• Monitor and report staff attendance and sickness and allocate annual leave ensuring appropriate cover is maintained.
• To assist in the organisation of and to perform staff appraisals.
• To ensure that all work is undertaken in accordance with agreed protocols and deal with and resolve problems as they arise and report them to the senior management team.
• To implement, develop, compile, review and maintain laboratory protocols and policies in accordance with ISO15189:2022standards.
• Review complex or markedly abnormal results together with other relevant pathology staff and technically validate the final report.

Leadership

• To deputise in the absence of the laboratory manager.
• To provide professional and managerial leadership in the department and demonstrate a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory and other members of the team.
• To encourage good staff relationships and develop good communication channels to all levels of staff within and outside the department.
• To lead the laboratory team in transformational change as part of the automation refresh

Finance

• Act as designated signatory for procurement of laboratory consumables and minor equipment.

Education and Development

• Undertake on-going training and development and update Professional Development Plan, as required by the Laboratory Manager keeping up to date with advances in medical microbiology.
• To organise and coordinate the supervision, monitoring of training and development of assessment of competence and continuing professional development within the department of: Biomedical Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants in line with local, regional and national professional initiatives.
• To organise laboratory training of Medical Staff, Nursing staff and students.

Clinical Bacteriology

• To exercise judgment and interpretation to validate and authorise results and generate laboratory reports in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. The validation process includes analytical and clinical validity.
• To ensure data integrity when entering demographics and results into the laboratory information system.
• To ensure prompt notification or referral of unusual and urgent results to Consultant Microbiologist or Infection Control team as appropriate.
• To report by telephone urgent results to medical or nursing staff, GPs and other hospitals.
• To assist and supervise sample preparation, processing bodily fluids and materials, including high-risk specimens and reagent preparation following standard protocols.
• To be responsible for analysis of biological samples involving more complex / specialist investigations requiring a high level of skill and knowledge.
• Analysis of microbiological cultures to identify and differentiate microbial pathogens.
• Preparation and interpretation of identification tests and antimicrobial susceptibility tests.
• Ensure correct disposal of tissue and patient samples in accordance with relevant departmental policies.

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• MSc or equivalent qualification in Biomedical Science
• State registration with HCPC as a biomedical scientist
• Significant postgraduate practical, technical and theoretical experience in Medical Microbiology and Medical Laboratory Sciences
• Extensive knowledge and expertise in various managerial fields, including finance, HR, business, project management, planning, leadership, procurement etc., gained both by qualifications and lengthy experience.
• In depth working knowledge and competency in laboratory bench areas, as appropriate.
• Extensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training plus further specialist knowledge or experience to master’s level equivalent
• Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development
• Member of relevant professional body
• Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups.
• Plans and organises a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances.
• Good use of available information sources to enable efficient and effective planning
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight and often changing deadlines
• Ability to carry out procurements for highly detailed, high value contracts that require analysis, comparison and assessment.

Benefits

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

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)
• 1500 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.

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:

• State registration with HCPC as a biomedical scientist.

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. If 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)

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 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. 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.

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.

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.

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 the UKHSA Complaints team via email at: 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 for further information: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk