Tuberculosis Health Protection Nurse

Job summary

We are seeking am NMC registered Tuberculosis (TB) Health Protection Nurse to join the TB Unit.

The TB Unit sits within the TB, Acute Respiratory, Zoonoses, Emerging infection, and Travel health division (TARZET) and has a multidisciplinary team delivering surveillance, epidemiology, public health and clinical advice, microbiology and incident and outbreak response, and advice to government.

The mission of the TARZET is to protect the public from respiratory, imported, emerging, and novel infections through world-leading public health microbiology and virology, outbreak response, surveillance, research, and interventions. The TB Unit sits within TARZET and has a multidisciplinary team delivering surveillance, epidemiology, public health and clinical advice, microbiology and incident and outbreak response, and advice to government.

The TB Unit work closely with NHS England and NHS Trusts, with international agencies and colleagues, and in a fully integrated way with multiple academic partners, with associated research opportunities. Elimination of TB as a public health problem is a World Health Organisation (WHO) target which the UK has signed up to.

Job description

The TB Health Protection Nurse will provide specialist expertise in nursing and public health aspects of TB care, prevention and control including supporting the delivery of the objectives of the national TB Action Plan.

Main Duties:

• Work in partnership with other members of the TB Unit to ensure a coordinated high-quality specialist TB clinical and public health service is available to healthcare professionals.
• Escalate and support the management of complex TB incidents and outbreaks as appropriate.
• Manage and maintain continuity for designated TB incidents and outbreaks, ensuring accurate, up to date records of contacts/action by completion of relevant records and compliance with the unit’s handover procedures, in line with UKHSAs standards for record keeping.
• Provide advice about BCG immunisation to health and allied professionals.
• Lead on defined areas of work in TB workforce development activities.
• Respond to Parliamentary Business.

Surveillance

• Contribute to the ongoing development of the National TB surveillance system, supporting TB Nurse users.
• Contribute to the use of surveillance outputs to inform and influence local and national Public Health actions, policies, and strategies.
• Support identification and reporting of health needs, health inequalities and health impact assessment.

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.

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of these roles.

You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required. The job descriptions and person specifications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Registered nurse with current NMC registration
• Post-registration qualifications/training relevant to Tuberculosis
• Post-registration experience as a TB Nurse Specialist including caring for complex cases and TB incidents including large screening events and investigation clusters
• Experience of teaching and awareness raising to a wide range of audiences
• Experience of building and developing effective stakeholder relationships
• Sound knowledge of the principles of TB prevention, management and control
• Proven experience of undertaking and completing TB related projects on time and within complex and challenging environments
• Experience of designing and implementing internal process and procedures for TB service improvement e.g. governance standards and audits
• Experience of managing and reporting risks
• Effective verbal, written and presentation communication skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear messages accurately for a range of audiences
• Excellent planning and prioritisation skills and ability to manage competing demands working independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams, disciplines and organisations demonstrating respect and consideration for the role/ skill(s) of others
• Ability to analyse and interpret information in an effective manner to recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issue(s)
• Ability to effectively engage with others to influence and negotiate for positive outcomes
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office including Word, and Excel
• Able to develop, interpret, implement, and evaluate policies
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Benefits

• 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%

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.

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 evaluated using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge, experience, skills and abilities outlined in the Essential Criteria listed in this job advert.

Application & Sift (Competency-based)

At sift stage you will be assessed against the 17 Essential Criteria listed in this job advert.

You will be required to complete an:

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

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

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 CV – 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 your CV.

Healthjobsuk has a word limit of 1500 but your statement of suitabilitymust be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000.

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 that 'Meets all Essential Criteria' will progress to Shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the following Essential Criteria:

• Post-registration experience as a TB Nurse Specialist including caring for complex cases and TB incidents including large screening events and investigation clusters.
• Sound knowledge of the principles of TB prevention, management and control.
• Proven experience of undertaking and completing TB related projects on time and within complex and challenging environments.

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

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview (Competency-based)

You will be invited to a single remote interview.

Interview date(s) to be confirmed.

During the interview we will assess against the below in relation to the 17 Essential Criteria:

• Knowledge
• Skills and Abilities

You will be asked to prepare a 5-minute presentation sharing an example within your TB workload where you were able to effectively engage with others to influence and negotiate for positive outcomes.

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

Qualifications and Registrations

For roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.

Eligibility

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

Salary Details

Candidates holding NMC registration will be appointed on NHS Terms & Conditions at NHS AfC Band 7. You will be asked to provide evidence of previous service to determine your salary.

Salary bands:
AfC Band 7: £49,387 - £56,515 per annum, pro rata

This role attracts Inner HCAS.

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.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our core HQ in Canary Wharf, London.

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 our office.

Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass an Enhanced 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 Baseline Personnel Security Standard.

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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.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

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.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 : Sarah Handy
• Email : sarah.handy@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

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