Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Job summary

UKHSA provides microbiology services through a network of regional laboratories and central reference laboratories. UKHSA commissions its diagnostic Microbiology service for the Yorkshire & Humber region from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT).

The post holder will work as part of the UKHSA employed team based in the Leeds Regional Laboratory based at the Centre for Laboratory Medicine at the St James University Hospital, providing microbiology support for the laboratory based CDRN surveillance activities. The Leeds Regional Laboratory is the national laboratory for the Clostridium difficile Ribotyping Network (CDRN) in England. UKHSA is currently implementing a plan to introduce new technologies and services, such as Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to the Clostridium difficile services it currently provides. This role will support the Lead Scientist in the CDRN unit in delivering this plan.

The post holder will be required to support the emergency response capability of the Leeds Laboratory should this be required and also to work with colleagues to provide a laboratory liaison service to the Yorkshire & Humber Health Protection teams.

The successful candidate will be educated to degree level (as described in the essential criteria). An IBMS Specialist Diploma in Medical Microbiology is essential (please note that this is not covered by HCPC registration or a higher degree). The successful candidate must also have experience in diagnostic bacteriology, bacterial culture techniques and experience of diagnostic molecular biology testing.

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

As part of the main duties, you will be expected to:

• To work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high-quality Clostridium difficile ribotyping service to provide patients and clinicians with the highest level of diagnosis, treatment and surveillance.
• To assist the Lead Scientist in the development and transition to a whole genome sequencing (WGS) service for CDRN
• To provide expert technical support for the specialist work undertaken within the laboratory in accordance with UKHSA and laboratory policies and procedures
• The post holder would be expected to assist in any UKHSA coordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g., a Bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak.
• To participate in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities and assist the department in maintaining ISO 15189 accreditation from UKAS (UK Accreditation Service).
• To participate in the provision of out-of-hours services should these be required
• To provide support for any PH initiatives undertaken in Leeds UKHSA
• Responsible for organising and controlling own workload ensuring deadlines are observed and duties performed efficiently.
• Provide cover as directed by Line Manager for other members of the team in their absence and assist with their workloads as necessary.
• Act independently on day-to-day issues and to use own judgement within the autonomy and limitations of the post

This is not an exhaustive list.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Educated to degree level in an appropriate medical / microbiological / biological science or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area e.g., molecular biology
• IBMS Specialist Diploma in Medical Microbiology
• Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Biomedical Scientist
• Experience in diagnostic bacteriology and bacterial culture techniques
• Experience of diagnostic molecular biology testing, molecular methods including real time PCR and sequencing
• Experience of working in a regulated environment with quality systems and knowledge of UKAS/ISO
• Experience of evaluating new techniques/equipment

Desirable criteria

• MSc or higher qualification in an appropriate medical / microbiological / biological science
• Experience of training staff.
• Ability to work effectively as part of the Microbiology out-of-hours team if required as part of a national public health response
• Awareness of a range of Health Services provisions and knowledge of NHS issues.

Benefits

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

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.

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

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

• an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• a 1000 word supporting statement

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.

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

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Experience in diagnostic bacteriology and bacterial culture techniques
• Experience of diagnostic molecular biology testing, molecular methods including real time PCR and sequencing

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 and assessment.

Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (competency based)

You will be invited to a face to face interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview.

A test scenario will also be given to assess your technical skills. Details will be provided during the interview.

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 working based at Leeds, Centre for Laboratory Medicine, St James University Hospital. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter Terrorism Check clearance.

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.

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.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Link below:

Artificial intelligence and recruitment , Civil Service Careers

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 : Jon Payne
• Email : jonathan.payne@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

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