Job Description

The Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) provide a front-line diagnostic service for the detection of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (Ebola, Lassa, CCHF, Marburg), Arboviruses, Rickettsiae, and a range of ACDP Hazard Group 3 bacteria including Bacillus anthracis and Francisella tularensis.



RIPL is also the provider of the Leptospira acute diagnostic service and the Lyme disease specialist unit diagnostic service. We are UKAS ISO15189 accredited and hold approval to provide IBMS registration and Virology specialist portfolios.



The role is for an HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist responsible for the management and upkeep of the Department's Quality Management System. The post holder will focus on maintenance of UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation status.



The post holder will also provide expert technical support for the specialist diagnostic laboratory work undertaken within RIPL in accordance with UKHSA and laboratory policies and procedures with particular focus on areas of serological diagnosis by ELISA and IFA and molecular identification using real-time PCR.



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



Influence long term decision making, planning and project management within RIPL.



Maintain links between quality and governance arrangements, including supporting adverse incident investigation.



Implement quality improvements within RIPL, involving development of new protocols and procedures.



Support laboratory staff to perform quality activities and monitor effectiveness.



Champion Change Control within the Department.



Provide expertise and support for preparation, and organisation of, inspections by third party assessors, such as UKAS and certification bodies, commercial organisations, or research councils and progress issues arising from assessments and inspections.



Lead delivery of laboratory's diagnostic and reference activities.



Report directly to Laboratory Director on performance of quality management system and identify need for improvement.



Ensure RIPL participates in suitable EQA surveys, monitors results and feeds back to Management any deficiencies.



Ensure awareness of users' needs and requirements throughout the laboratory organisation.



Provide Quality feedback on laboratory performance with regular communications.



Undertake a range of diagnostic assays and techniques as required, meeting RIPL service provision needs.



Assist in identification, evaluation and adaptation of new technologies and diagnostic tests to enhance the laboratories capabilities and to ensure the project area works to a high scientific standard.



Supply data to agreed timescales required by RIPL service level agreement.



Deputise for Laboratory Manager as required.



Maintain high professional standards by continual professional development keeping up to date with advances in medical microbiology.



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



Essential Criteria



MSc or higher qualification in an appropriate medical/microbiology/biological science or substantial post-registration experience



Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Biomedical Scientist.



Experience of managing quality systems and a working knowledge of ISO15189:2022.



Experience of managing change and instigating system improvements from a quality management perspective.



Evidence of efficient and effective project and programme participation and management.



Substantive experience in a diagnostic or reference virology laboratory, including knowledge and experience of serological and molecular methods including ELISA, IFA and real time PCR.



Ability to analyse and interpret information including performance indicators, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issues or areas of risk.



Experience of leadership and management, excellent communication skills with the ability to positively influence others and present complex matters, and resilience to cope with uncertainty and change.



Experience of training and performance management.



Desirable Criteria



Experience of diagnostic metagenomic services and High Containment /CL3 microbiology.



Skills for establishing and effective working relationships with internal and external partners/stakeholders.



Recognised relevant Quality qualification, such as the IBMS certificate of expert practice.



IBMS Specialist Diploma in Medical Microbiology or Virology.



IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma in relevant discipline.



Selection Process



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 a:



Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application)



1250 word Statement of Suitability.



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 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:



Experience of managing quality systems and a working knowledge of ISO15189:2022.



Experience of managing change and instigating system improvements from a quality management perspective.



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



Please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.



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 consider remote interviews.



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 our Scientific Campus in Porton Down. 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 Checks.



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.