Senior Biomedical Scientist

Job summary

The post holder will lead on health and safety in the bacteriology laboratory of the MMMP. They will, in conjunction with the laboratory managers and MMMP health and safety manager, support other members of the team within the department in ensuring that good health and safety systems are in place, maintained and continually developed to ensure that the requirements of health and safety, Bio-security legislation and Corporate Health and Safety strategy, policy and procedures are met.

The post-holder will act as a specialist registered Senior Biomedical scientist who provides scientific services to patients and clients as an aid to clinical diagnosis. To supervise operations of a section of the laboratory and provide advice on technical issues. Accuracy and attention to detail is essential. They will perform a range of bacteriological technical and scientific activities, in a timely manner, to assist the Consultant Microbiologists, and thus ensure the correct clinical diagnosis.

Working for your organisation

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 post holder will:

• Test samples referred from other NHS and UKHSA laboratories and would be expected to assist in any UKHSA coordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. Bioterrorism incident or a major disease e.g. SARS, H5N1 influenza, Enteric outbreak etc.
• Advise on health and safety issues across the whole department.
• Assist staff to promote compliance with health and safety procedures.
• Provide ongoing reviews of all risk assessments that are applicable to the department, to ensure that they are suitable, sufficient and in date.
• Deliver departmental health and safety training and safety inductions as required.
• In conjunction with departmental laboratory managers and senior biomedical scientists, ensure that all existing and new equipment is fit for.
  purpose with respect to safety and that all laboratory spaces are fit for purpose and maintained to enable safe working.
• Support practical preparation for, and organisation of, inspections by third party assessors, such as HSE, and to address issues arising from these inspections.
• Prepare reports of health and safety audits and communicate findings of audits to staff as appropriate.
• Be responsible for ensuring the provision and dissemination of health and safety information.
• Troubleshoot and advise upon problems resulting from health and safety audits and interpretation of health and safety data.
• Be responsible for customer contact (both across the UKHSA and MFT) for enquiries relating to departmental health and safety.
• Maintain close liaison with Trust estates and facilities to ensure high standards of Health & Safety.
• Maintain close links between health and safety and governance arrangements, including incident reporting (on Trust and UKHSA systems), investigation and management.
• Represent the laboratory at Trust/UKHSA health and safety meetings.
• Keep up to date with current health and safety practice in clinical pathology.
• May be required to work within a rotational shift pattern which may include shifts throughout the department, 24 hours a day / 7days per week, to meet service needs'.
• Ensure prompt communication of urgent and unusual results, including telephone reporting, and support the delivery of an effective laboratory results service
• Use and maintenance of manual and sophisticated automated equipment.
• To work unsupervised in high risk Containment Level 3 laboratory following local code of practice within these facilities.
• Disposal of tissue and patient samples in accordance with relevant guidelines.
• Monitor and maintain appropriate stock levels and facilitate deliveries.
• Be expected to participate in the weekend and Bank Holiday rosters, and encouraged to participate in “out of hours” service.
• Will be required to demonstrate appropriate competency to participate in departmental out of hour’s service. During these periods the post holder will be a lone worker.

Clinical Governance

• Participate in audit processes, drug trials, and research projects, as required.
• Participate in and monitor Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities, and assist the department in maintaining UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation.

Management

• To manage staff and work within allocated sections of the laboratory on a rotational basis requiring extensive in-depth knowledge of all investigations.
• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with agreed laboratory protocols.
• Contribute to the development, review and continuous improvement of laboratory policies and procedures.
• To assist in the supervision of qualified and unqualified Staff and monitor performance to ensure a high standard of work is maintained.
• To participate in senior staff meetings to contribute to the development of the laboratory.
• Deal with and resolve problems as they arise and report them to senior management team.
• To deputise in the absence of the Deputy Laboratory Managers and other senior staff as required.

Education and Development

• Undertake on-going training and development and update Professional Development Plan, as required by the Laboratory Managers keeping up to date with advances in medical microbiology.
• Undertake training, supervision, co ordination and monitoring of Trainee Biomedical Scientists, Medical Laboratory Assistants, Clinical and Medical Staff, Nursing staff and students in accordance with nature of a large teaching hospital.

Clinical

• 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 assist, and where appropriate be responsible for the development and the implementation of new techniques and equipment into the laboratory.
• Assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples received and liaises with senior technical staff for action or advice following departmental sample acceptance policy.
• To ensure data integrity when entering demographics and results into the laboratory information system.
• Sample preparation, processing bodily fluids and materials, including high-risk specimens and reagent preparation following protocols.
• Analysis of biological samples including more complex/ specialist investigations requiring a high level of skill.
• Analyses of microbiological cultures to identify and differentiate microbial pathogens.
• Preparation and interpretation of identification tests and antimicrobial susceptibility tests.
• The use of microscopes for identification of microorganisms.
• Extraction of nucleic acid from biological samples to enable amplification and determination of microbial targets.
• Serological analyses of biological samples by a variety of methodologies to detect microbial antigens

Please note, the above lists are not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• State registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Completed an IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Microbiology/Virology or equivalent (if registration post 2004)
• MSc in Biomedical science or equivalent
• NEBOSH general certificate in Occupational Safety and Health or other Health and safety qualification
• Experience of working in a number of different types of Laboratory including containment level three Microbiology laboratories. Understands microbiology and its application in clinical practice and public health.
• Previous broad and appropriate laboratory experience within microbiology/Virology.
• Experience of using a wide range of techniques in microbiology/Virology. Use of automated and semi-automated equipment.
• Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required.
• Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources.
• Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decision making.
• Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly.
• Experience of setting up and implementing internal processes and procedures.
• Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

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 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 14 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

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

• 1250 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 1250 words. We will not consider any words over1250 words.

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

1. Meets all essential criteria
2. Meets some essential criteria
3. Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile ‘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 registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at Manchester Royal Infirmary. 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.

Location

This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Manchester Royal Infirmary. If based at one of our labs, 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. Please note, hybrid working is not available for this role.

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 .

Eligibility Criteria

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

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

NHS Pension

This role is offered under Agenda for Change (AFC) Terms and Conditions.

• If you are already on AFC T&Cs or accept the role on a fixed-term contract, you will be enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme or keep your current AFC Pension.

• If you take the role on a loan or temporary promotion, you will retain your existing substantive T&Cs.
• If the role is available under either AFC or Civil Service T&Cs depending on your registration, your pension scheme will align accordingly.

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.

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 : Charlene Gwekwerere
• Email : charlene.gwekwerere@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

http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7865212