Job Description

Details

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Reference number

436014

Salary

31,049 - 37,796
(+ HCAS Outer) per annum, pro rata
GBP

Job grade

Other
NHS AfC Band 5

Contract type

Permanent

Fixed term

Loan

Secondment

Length of employment

1 x perm and 1 x FTA until 1/9/2027

Type of role

Science

Other

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

2

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Colindale (Scientific Campus)

About the job

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Job summary

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.


This is an exciting opportunity to join the Operational Response Team (ORT) at UKHSA. The team was recruited to build resilience to Public Health Microbiology. The ORT are deployed across bacteriology and virology reference departments in times of need, which includes national incidents, outbreaks or threats to business-as-usual activity. When not deployed during an incident, the post holder will concentrate on training, maintaining competency and development of skills required to assist in future incidents such as training on automated equipment.

Job description

At Public Health Microbiology laboratory teams undertake services of complex and highly skilled techniques which often require nationally or internationally unique capabilities or facilities. Reference laboratories are required to provide authoritative, final and validated analysis for complex clinical or food microbiological/virological problems and be innovative in driving microbiological/virological methodology developments and standards. They have a key role in provision of expert advice to government, national and international agencies, risk assessment for new and emerging microbiological/virological threats and play an important role in teaching and training organism specific and subject matter expertise to all grades of professional medical, nursing, scientific and technical staff. Design of national microbiological/virological surveillance programmes and sampling strategies and outbreak detection and control are part of day to day work of reference laboratories.


The work of microbiology reference units includes clinical microbiological advice and diagnosis, complex reference, service delivery, methodology development, microbial epidemiology, investigation of national and uncommon outbreaks, response to international health alerts, and advice on the risks posed by various infections. Clinical samples and isolates are received from public health departments, the National Health Service and commercial laboratories across the UK and internationally for specialist testing, characterisation and susceptibility testing.


In response to threats to business-as-usual (BAU) service delivery and enhanced incidents it is the role of the Operational Response Team (ORT) to be deployed to support reference service units and the operations team. The post holder will provide resilience to the bacteriology or virology reference departments in times of need. When not deployed during an incident, the post holder will concentrate on training, maintaining competency and development of skills required to assist in future incidents.


The post holder will work as part of the host laboratory team to deliver the reference laboratory services.

To be responsible for the efficient processing of specimens and performing additional laboratory duties to ensure the efficient day to day performance of the laboratory, under the supervision of more senior Biomedical Scientist and Clinical Scientist staff. To undertake booking of specimens, inputting of data, filing, answering the telephone, reception work and perform other additional clerical and office duties appropriate to grade. The post holder would be expected to assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To undertake microbiological, serological, and molecular laboratory duties under supervision, guided by standard operating procedures (SOPs), including containment level 2 and 3. To be responsible for the reading and analysis of test results generated and entry of results onto the LIMS system. Collate and present data for discussion. Adhering to external and internal quality control practices. Attend meetings, plan, and implement project plans. Monitor safety cabinets and carry out routine quality control procedures in order to maintain set standards. To participate in and support the R&D activities within BRD & VRD and the organisation. To be responsible for health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors in your own area, ensuring that health and safety are afforded priority over other issues. To ensure a safe and healthy working environment by maintaining adequate safety levels. To notify any accidents, incidents or near misses, dangerous situations or shortcomings in health and safety training instructions via the appropriate management structure. Ensure compliance of work with UKAS ISO15189. Participate in internal and external audits and implementing corrective actions Take responsibility for maintenance and acquisition of stock in order to ensure adequate service provision and continuity. Use databases and software packages as appropriate. Apply computer technology to the management of biological information. Data entry, spreadsheet analysis and managing the flow of paperwork. Ensure that routine services are maintained/designed to a satisfactory standard. Take responsibility for maintenance and acquisition of stock in order to ensure adequate service provision and continuity. Monitor the performance and maintenance of laboratory equipment. Ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirements of the Data Protection Act in collaboration with the designated Caldicott Guardian, Data Protection Officer and Security of Information Officer. Actively participate and maintain a continuing professional development programme and be aware of relevant developments in microbiology and other biomedical science. Develop professional expertise by undertaking further appropriate training as required.

Other

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. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the laboratory and UKHSA. It should be noted that the work of the laboratory is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes

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.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

State registration with HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist and maintains professional competence BSc in a Biological Science Post-qualification laboratory experience in microbiology Knowledge of laboratory safety requirements and quality assurance procedures Experience in use of LIMS, and a range of common software (Microsoft Office, Excel) Good communicator and team worker with leadership skills. Able to organise own workload and delegated priorities to junior staff. Confident in presentation of ideas and information with excellent analytical skills. Good organisation skills with particular attention to detail. Self-motivating, organised and meticulous, and able to problem solve in a calm and efficient manner. An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.

Desirable Criteria:

Experience and/or understanding of scientific principles of molecular assays including PCR and sequencing technologies, and serological assays.

Benefits

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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

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Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success Profiles - GOV.UK


You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 9 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

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, with reference to the essential criteria.


The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.


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 longlisting is used, the piles 'meets all essential criteria' and 'meets some essential criteria' will proceed to shortlisting.


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.



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

Success profiles


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.


Behaviours will be assessed at interview.


The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

Changing and Improving Communicating and Influencing Working Together Working at Pace Managing a Quality Service

Interview 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.

Selection Process

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.

For Fixed term posts

If you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA's Pay policy.

Location

This role is based at our Scientific Campus at Colindale. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale. If based at one of our scientific campuses, 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.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Face to Face Interviews

In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

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.

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

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.


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

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check .



See our vetting charter .
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) 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .
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 the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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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

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Job contact :

Name : Lisa Tweedie Email : lisa.tweedie@ukhsa.gov.uk
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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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