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Job summary

Main area
Biomedical Sciences
Grade
AFC Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Job share
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week (Shifts 7:00 – 15:00, 8:00-16:00 & 12:00 – 20:00 Mon- Fri. Weekend working 1:4 8:00-16:00)
Job ref
919-CJ-300726-EXT
Employer
UK Health Security Agency
Employer type
Public (Non NHS)
Site
Heartlands Hospital
Town
Birmingham
Salary
£46,148 - £52,809 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
10/11/2024 23:59

Employer heading

UK Health Security Agency logo

Biomedical Scientist Team Leader

AFC Band 7

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:

  • Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
  • Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
  • Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
  • Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
  • Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.

Job overview

Applications are invited for the above post, which is based in the Microbiology, Public Health Laboratory in Birmingham is a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The 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 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.
The Laboratory operates a 7-day working week and the applicant will be required to work 37.5 hours per week based on a shift system including a requirement to work at weekends and bank holidays.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will 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. Managing the efficient day-to-day running of a section of the laboratory, to be able to rotate through all the different sections in the laboratory and to oversee in the supervision and training of BMS or HSSW staff

The post holder would be expected to assist in any UKHSA coordinated 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 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 Testing services

Working for our 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

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

 

  • To organise the day-to-day deployment of staff within each section
  • To ensure reports are verified and are accurate and to authorise their issue
  • To ensure that adequate consumable stocks are maintained for the section whilst minimising cost and wastage
  • To prepare implement and maintain Standard Operating Procedures for each section and to ensure that these are followed
  • To ensure that technical standards are maintained both internally and through the external quality assessment schemes
  • To ensure continued maintenance of UKAS Accreditation Standards
  • To ensure that UKHSA Laboratory Safety Policies are implemented and adhered to by all staff working in the department
  • To co-ordinate the development and evaluation of new techniques and equipment
  • Training, induction and education of HSSWs, Trainee BMS 5s, BMS 6s, Trainee Medical staff and visitors to the department
  • To conduct annual appraisals for staff and participate in the setting of objectives and the monitoring of their development in conjunction with the Laboratory Manager.
  • To support and develop the molecular bacteriology and virology strategy of the laboratory.
  • To keep up to date with knowledge of microbiology diagnostic developments through proactive participation in CPD programmes.
  • To participate in Weekend rosters, out of hours including ON and Bank Holiday work of the department (or at any other time) as and when required.

Essential Criteria

Please be aware that we will assess on the eight essential criteria stated on the advert rather than the full list on the job description document. 

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  

Competency-based assessments

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

  • Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
  • A 1000 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.  

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  

Please note that candidates in the Disability Confident Scheme will be shortlisted if you meet the minimum essential criteria.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and 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 (competency based) 

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview.

Technical experience, abilities and strengths will be tested at interview. 

There will be a Presentation. 

If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a 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. 

Eligibility

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

Location

This role is based as lab working based at Birmingham (Heartland Hospital). Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

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-terrorist Check.    

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.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • BSc Biomedical Science degree or equivalent academic achievement ratified by the IBMS
  • Master of Science (MSc.) or equivalent qualification/experience
  • Health Professions Council (HCPC) registered
  • A minimum of 5 years’ experience working in a diagnostic microbiology or virology laboratory

Knoweldge and Experience

Essential criteria
  • A minimum of 5 years’ 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 and National Standards
  • Experience of using computerised data systems

Skills/Capabilities/Behaviours

Essential criteria
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Purple SpaceApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei) is the UK's leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion issues in the workplace.Carer Confident -AccomplishedHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Carlie James
Job title
Recruitment Support
Email address
[email protected]
Additional information

For information regarding the role please contact Paula Smith, Public Health Microbiology Workforce Lead, [email protected].

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