Job Description

The Public Health Laboratory in Birmingham is a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) microbiology laboratory working 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. It is one of the largest microbiology laboratories in the West Midlands NHS Region and is the Regional Public Health Laboratory of UK Health Security Agency. It is fully accredited with UKAS and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).



The Regional Head of Laboratory Operations UKHSA has responsibility for the efficient and effective operational management of the Regional UKHSA Birmingham Public Health Laboratory. This is done in conjunction with the Laboratory Clinical Lead and the Laboratory Management team. BPHL hosts the National Mycobacterial Reference Service (North and Central) and the Regional Head of Operations will be responsible, together with the NMRS laboratory manager and Clinical Lead, for the delivery of mycobacterial reference services. This will require working closely with the Regional Head of Operations for London, the South East and NMRS-South.



The post holder will provide vision, leadership and direction to the Birmingham Public Health Laboratory. Additionally, the post holder will provide microbiology support to the Midlands Health Protection Teams and Local Authorities, as well as provide expert microbiology advice during outbreaks and incidents of communicable disease.



It is anticipated that the post holder will take a leading role in support of UKHSA activities across the Region.



In conjunction with senior bacteriology and virology colleagues, the appointee will be expected to participate in, and support the provision of a comprehensive diagnostic and advisory service to local clinicians and other users of the Laboratory.



This will include regular site visits and consultations with key stakeholders across the Midlands which will form a key component of the job. Additionally, the post holder will have a role in teaching and training, audit, surveillance, and research.



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

Your key responsibilities will include:

Having overall responsibility for the efficient and effective operational management of the UKHSA Birmingham Laboratory, in accordance with UKHSA and Laboratory policies and procedures, and in line with the relevant accreditation schemes. This work is done in conjunction with the Clinical Lead for UKHSA Birmingham Laboratory, and CPHI for The Midlands.



In partnership with the senior management team to provide vision, leadership and direction to the Public Health Laboratories and to lead in strategic development, including identification, prioritisation of, and support for specific service developments and research areas.



To be the budget holder for the public health laboratories, taking primary responsibility for the financial management of the services. This includes having responsibility for budget setting in collaboration with the senior leadership teams and UKHSA Senior Finance Officers and ensuring compliance with UKHSA Standing Financial Instructions.



In collaboration with senior managers, ensure that the standing financial instructions, professional standards of conduct and other UKHSA policies and procedures including health and safety are observed and operated within the laboratory.



Provide technical and professional support to the Clinical Lead and CPHI as well as the Deputy Director and Head of Technical and Scientific Services of the UKHSA Clinical Laboratory Network.



Ensure full compliance with clinical governance and clinical effectiveness requirements of the UKHSA and Trust sites, where co-located.



To support the Clinical Lead in the performance monitoring of UKHSA Microbiology assets within UKHSA Birmingham.



In partnership with the CPHI, organise a comprehensive microbiological service to support UKHSA Health Protection Teams, Consultants in Communicable Disease Control, Local Authority Directors of Public Health and Chief Environmental Health Officers in in the Midlands.



In partnership with the Clinical Lead and CPHI organise the provision of laboratory support for other agencies involved in potential infection hazards e.g. FSA, BWI, Environment Agency, VLA, HSE, MBA, DEFRA, and the Armed Forces.



The post holder is expected, with the Clinical Lead and Laboratory Managers, to lead in any UKHSA coordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, such as a bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak.



Work with the Trust and UKHSA information analysts to ensure adherence to the requirements of the Data Protection Act and conformity to the Caldicott Guardian requirements of both the UKHSA and any host Trust.



Facilitate the implementation of regional and national UKHSA strategy as specified in relevant Business Plans.



Participate in UKHSA national and regional scientific and managerial activities, as required by the Clinical Lead and CPHI for the Midlands and Deputy Director, Clinical Network Laboratories.



Liaise with NHS and commercial microbiology laboratories throughout the Midlands.



Provide technical and financial support for other laboratories, where appropriate, in development of clinical and public health networks and project groups.



In collaboration with the laboratory managers, organise the arrangements for routine surveillance and reporting from UKHSA Birmingham, including participation in enhanced surveillance programmes and "look-back" surveys.



Liaise closely with the Midlands CPHI, UKHSA Information Analysts and Field Epidemiologists and report promptly any local information which may affect the function of UKHSA.



Collaborate with UKHSA reference and epidemiological facilities in the reporting and investigation of infections, control of outbreaks, assessment of vaccines, development of the laboratory methods and involvement in surveys.



Be involved in research activities consistent with the priorities of the Public Health Laboratory, subject to the availability of funding and resources.



Be involved in the training of medical, nursing, clinical scientist, biomedical scientist and administrative staff.



Contribute, as required, to the teaching of medical microbiology and epidemiology to undergraduates and postgraduate students in the Midlands region Clinical Governance, audit and professional activities



Participate in clinical audit.



Fulfil the requirements of a recognised scheme of continuing professional development (CPD) such as that of the Institute of Biomedical Science or Royal College of Pathologists in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.



To participate in annual appraisal and in the UKHSA Job Planning and Appraisal schemes.



The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.



Selection process details



This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your knowledge and experience, and/or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.



You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 13 essential criteria listed, and this will be in the form of a :



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



1500-word Statement of Suitability



This should outline how you consider 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



Piles Meets all essential criteria will be moved through to the shortlisting stage.

Shortlisting:

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



Significant postgraduate practical, technical and theoretical experience in Medical Microbiology and Medical Laboratory Sciences



Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.



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 (competency based)



You will be invited to a (single) remote 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 office/lab based at our site in Birmingham.



If based at one of our labs, 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



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.