Healthcare Scientist Practitioner/Biomedical Scientist Practitioner

Job summary

We are seeking an HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist (AfC Band 5) or a Healthcare Scientist Practitioner (EO). Candidates holding HCPC registration will be appointed on NHS Terms & Conditions at NHS AfC Band 5. Candidates without HCPC registration will be appointed on Civil Service Terms and Conditions at EO grade.

It is anticipated that an opportunity for a permanent role may be available in the near future.

The Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit (GBRU) is a National Reference Laboratory providing specialist services for hazard group 2 and 3 gastrointestinal and foodborne pathogens, including Bacillus, Clostridium, E. coli, Listeria, Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia and Vibrio species. GBRU supports public health locally, nationally and internationally through bacterial typing, surveillance, outbreak investigation and specialist analysis of clinical, food, water and environmental samples. It uses phenotypic and genotypic methods, including whole genome sequencing, while streamlining workflows and maintaining essential reference capability. Safety and safe laboratory practice are key priorities. This laboratory-based role supports service delivery, training staff in laboratory procedures and helping senior staff maintain strong Safety and Quality Management Systems.

Job description

Responsibilities include molecular and conventional microbiological testing, contributing to diagnosis, reference work, epidemiology, outbreak investigations and responses to health alerts. Samples are received from NHS laboratories, public health teams and international partners for specialist testing and characterisation. The postholder ensures efficient specimen processing, supports daily laboratory operations, maintains safety and quality standards and contributes to research and development activities within GBRU.

• To provide technical support within the Unit in ensuring that GBRU provides a national and international service in all aspects of the work of the Section; this includes molecular and conventional microbiological analysis on a range of foodborne bacterial isolates and clinical and environment specimens.
• To work with senior staff to ensure that both the service and non-service work of the unit is carried out in a safe, effective, timely manner and operates to a quality system.
• To participate in research and development activities within GBRU.

Service delivery

• Receive, sort, unpack, label and process specimens in the laboratory.
• Assist in the provision and organisation of safe, timely, high quality and economical CL2 and CL3 microbiological, serological, and molecular laboratory duties, guided by standard operating procedures (SOPs) within GBRU
  To validate clinical results technically.
• Undertake DNA-based detection and typing for a range of pathogens with assays and techniques such as real-time polymerase chain reaction and whole genome sequencing (WGS)
• Analyse and validate clinical and reference-based results, support the senior scientists in dealing with laboratory queries and maintain professional registration.
• Assist in providing a flexible laboratory response to emergency public health needs including investigation of incidents, of deliberate release of pathogenic organisms and to general investigations of illness as appropriate.
• Assist with evaluation and implementation of new techniques / methods to the unit that enhance effectiveness of the laboratory work.
• Writing and updating SOPs and controlled documentation.
• To provide technical support to GBRU Reference Services as appropriate including adjusting day-to-day work priorities to meet changing demands or emergency requirements.
• Writing and updating SOPs and controlled documentation.
• Dealing with telephone enquires in relation to clinical specimens.
• Assist senior staff in the management of supporting staff across GBRU and deputise for the HEO when required

Health and Safety

In collaboration with the GBRU Safety Officer and complying with UKHSA safety policies and procedures to:

• Ensure that health, safety and welfare is an afforded priority over other issues and to demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare regarding self, all staff and visitors in the unit
• Assist in maintaining a safe working environment within the unit ensuring risk assessments and COSHH are carried out as and when required and safety policy is adhered to
• Report all accidents and incidents or near misses, dangerous situations or shortcomings in health and safety training instructions and assist in taking remedial action
• Participate in the internal and external safety audits as required and implement any arising corrective actions
• Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co-operate with the UKHSA on any matters of health and safety.

Information Technology

• Entry of results into LIMS system and liaison with senior staff in sending laboratory reports.
• Answering telephone queries.

Quality

• Maintain a high standard of work and contribute to developing the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe effective and economical and follows best practice according to ISO15189 and 17025 standards.
  Staff Management and Training
• Train and supervise other staff, visitors and students

Support Services & Equipment

• Oversee the service and maintenance of equipment
• Ensure performance checks on equipment are performed and to take appropriate corrective action if equipment fails to meet specification.
  Strategy, Policy and Service Development
• Contribute to GBRU strategic policies and encourage innovations and develop practices that enhance the effectiveness of the section’s work
  Other
• Be prepared to work flexibly across the entire unit as required, maintaining appropriate levels of training as necessary

Customer Relationships

• Respond to requests and communicate accurately, sensitive information and less complex results to customers, including basic interpretation and reporting written and verbal results

Please note:

• 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

Person specification

Essential criteria

• BSc in Microbiology or relevant biological science or equivalent level of qualification and experience in a relevant field e.g. microbiology
• HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist
• Evidence of CPD
• Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory at containment level 2
• Good experience and knowledge of multiple laboratory techniques including phenotypic and molecular methods
• Experience in working as part of a team
• Good understanding of quality assurance principles and procedures
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills
• Use of micropipettes, sub-culturing organisms - good manual dexterity - work by paying attention to detail
• Able to work without supervision - ability to prioritise work in a timely manner - good organisational skills
• Ability to supervise and organise the daily work for self and others - training skills
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Desirable criteria:

• Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory at containment level 3
• Experience of writing SOPs
• Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action
• Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issues
• Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis
• Skills for managing aspects of projects ensuring they meet targets

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,624, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,451 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

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.

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 who meet 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:

• BSc in Microbiology or relevant biological science or equivalent level of qualification and experience in a relevant field e.g. microbiology.
• Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory at containment level 2
• Good experience and knowledge of multiple laboratory techniques including phenotypic and molecular methods

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 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 assessed/ 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).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic 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.

When based at our scientific campus, 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.

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale, London. 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.

Salary bands:

• AfC Band 5: £31,049- £37,796 (plus Outer HCAS) per annum, pro rata
• EO (Inner): £32,624 £37,737- 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 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