Job Description

Details

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Reference number

417357

Salary

37,338 - 44,962
per annum, pro rata
GBP

Job grade

Other
NHS AfC Band 6

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Science

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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UKHSA Birmingham Laboratory, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, B9 5SS

About the job

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Job summary

The Public Health Laboratory in Birmingham is a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) microbiology laboratory and is in partnership with University Hospitals Birmingham Trust (UHB). The microbiology partnership provides comprehensive microbiology services and specialist services to Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield, Solihull Hospital and general practitioners throughout the area.


The Public Health Laboratory Birmingham is part of the Directorate of Laboratory Medicine at The Heart of England Foundation Trust. It is one of the largest microbiology laboratories in the West Midlands NHS Region and is the Regional Public Health Laboratory of Public Health England. It is fully accredited with UKAS and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).


The department undertakes a wide range of routine and specialist microbiological and molecular investigations. The post is rotational and will involve working in Bacteriology, Serology and Molecular Virology, Molecular Bacteriology and Mycobacteriology.

To work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high quality microbiology service in order to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment. To assist in the efficient day-to-day running of an area in a section of the laboratory, to be able to rotate through all the different sections in the laboratory and to assist in the supervision and training of trainee BMSs or HSSWs. The post holder would be expected to assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. a Bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak.

This is a rotational post through all of the sections of the laboratory including:

General Bacteriology including respiratory and enterics. Virology including Viral Serology Molecular diagnostics for Bacteriology and Virology. Regional Centre for Mycobacteriology. Antiviral susceptibility services
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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

To assist in the day-to-day-supervision and organisation of the less qualified staff in the allocated area. To process the specimens received and to undertake the related tasks in the various sections of the laboratory, leading to the reporting and interpretation of results in accordance with agreed policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs). To be responsible for maintenance of consumables and equipment in immediate area of work. Also, to use and maintain automated equipment following manufacturer's guidelines and training. Based upon knowledge and experience, to designate, on receipt, the range of tests to be performed on the various samples. Utilising microbiological techniques, to work competently in all sections of West Midlands Public Health Laboratory including Bacteriology, National Mycobacteria Reference Service, Molecular Biology, and Viral Serology. To participate in the out-of-hours Microbiology service as required. To work within the UKHSA and Laboratory policies, codes of practice and professional guidelines. To adhere to laboratory SOPs and to organise the work of the allocated area in the laboratory. To maintain a high standard of professional competence in the performance of all tests and investigations carried out in the laboratory. To maintain a high standard of technical skills. To be able to interpret and report on all routine tests. To ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of senior staff and/or Medical staff, and to report complaints and anomalies. To ensure a sound knowledge of the laboratory IT system. To demonstrate a good understanding of basic microbiology, and to develop scientific knowledge, commensurate with the grade of Biomedical Scientist Practitioner. Also to undergo further training as may be necessary and available, and to work towards the SEO Specialist and Personal Specification. To ensure the agreed quality standards of service are maintained. To monitor quality control results and bring any anomalies to the attention of Senior BMS staff. To respond accordingly to changes in laboratory protocols. To liaise with senior BMS staff, medical and scientific staff in all matters relating to the diagnosis of infection. To assist where appropriate with research and audit projects.

Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.

Person specification

BSc Biomedical Science degree or equivalent academic achievement ratified by the IBMS. Health Professions Council (HCPC) registered. Has completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in either Bacteriology or Virology. Proven experience working in a diagnostic microbiology or virology laboratory. Has an understanding of:
+ UKAS standards.
+ supporting R&D activities.
+ Health & Safety.
+ Data Protection and Information Governance legislation.
+ National Standards.
Experience of using computerised data systems. Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Benefits

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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

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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 that have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of a:

Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) 750 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 Statement of Suitability 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:

BSc Biomedical Science degree or equivalent academic achievement ratified by the IBMS. Has completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in either Bacteriology or Virology. Proven experience working in a diagnostic microbiology or virology laboratory.

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


Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.


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.


Feedback will not be provided at this stage.


Stage 2: Interview


You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.


Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be 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.

Location:

This role is being offered as lab based at UKHSA Birmingham Laboratory, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, B9 5SS. Please note that 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)

Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.

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 .



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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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 : Jon Payne Email : jonathan.payne@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