Job summary
Employer heading
Advanced Health Protection Practitioner
NHS AfC: Band 8b
Job overview
We are seeking an Advanced Health Protection Practitioner (AHPP) who will be an essential member of our multidisciplinary team, responsible for the daily acute service response. They will collaborate with other senior health protection team members to oversee and manage incidents and outbreaks of infectious and non-infectious environmental hazards.
The role demands excellent public health skills, with a focus on leading specific areas of work and fostering partnerships with external organisations. The AHPP will play a key role in developing joint plans and setting system-wide public health priorities.
Additionally, the AHPP will contribute to the strategic initiatives of the locality-based health protection team, deputising as needed, and leading complex projects, including regional and national work streams.
Main duties of the job
Your main duties will include:
- Use expertise and knowledge to lead the management of complex incidents and outbreaks of infectious diseases and non-infectious environmental hazards, in collaboration with the Incident Director.
- Assume management and supervision of the day-to-day acute response service and complex incidents to ensure high quality safe and effective delivery, if required.
- Manage and carry out continuing responsibility for a caseload ensuring accurate, up to date records of contacts/action by completion of relevant records and compliance with team handover procedures, in line with UKHSA’s standards for record keeping.
- To utilise an evidence-based approach to manage clinical/professional advice and discussions within the team and support and participate in the team’s formal case review process.
- To monitor standards, ensuring quality and consistency and to take action where any shortfall occurs.
- Contribute to and where required lead ongoing longer term management of issues relevant to a defined geographical area within their region.
- Contribute to the UKHSA response during incidents in line with UKHSAs Emergency Planning and Resilience Response (EPRR) arrangements as part of the region’s responsibilities under the Civil Contingencies Act.
- Contribute to and support the UKHSA region’s input into Emergency Planning arrangements.
- May be required to participate in a local on call rota at local, regional or national level as required.
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 read all the information on this page carefully - The main duties and responsibilities for the role are displayed below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Your key responsibilities will include:
- The successful candidate will lead the management of complex incidents and outbreaks of infectious diseases and environmental hazards, working closely with the Incident Director. They will oversee the day-to-day acute response service and ensure high-quality, safe, and effective delivery. This includes maintaining accurate records, using an evidence-based approach for clinical advice, and participating in formal case reviews. The AHPP will also support the UKHSA's emergency planning and resilience response, including responsibilities under the Civil Contingencies Act.
- In this role, the AHPP will develop and maintain effective systems for the surveillance of communicable diseases and environmental hazards. They will use surveillance data to inform public health actions and policies at local and national levels, addressing health needs and inequalities. The AHPP will foster partnerships with various stakeholders, using their communication and negotiation skills to collaborate on public health strategies and manage complex issues in diverse settings.
- The AHPP will contribute to research activities that enhance the health protection evidence base, develop and deliver teaching resources, and support training programs for public health professionals. They will ensure proper clinical supervision and mentorship within the team, setting and monitoring professional standards. The AHPP will also manage the operational delivery of the region’s health protection functions, lead audits for quality improvement, and develop policies and protocols for health protection issues.
- For personal and professional development, the AHPP will participate in appraisals, pursue continuous professional development, and support team development through coaching and mentoring. They will adapt to evolving needs and additional duties as required, maintaining effective communication with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. This includes collaborating with UKHSA regional teams, local authorities, healthcare professionals, and other organisations to ensure comprehensive public health protection and improvement.
- If you are committed to developing your career in health protection and eager to contribute to a dynamic team, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.
Please refer to the job description for further details and other responsibilities around surveillance, partnership working, research, teaching, training & management and leadership.
Essential criteria - you will be assessed on the below (8 number) essential criteria, which have been selected from 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 capabilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed (8 number) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of
-
a CV/ Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
-
a (1500 number of words) 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 CV / Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment
Please do not exceed 1500 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 (single) face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview
As part of the interview you will be required to undertake a presentation, details of this will be provided to you.
Interviews will be held week commencing 26th September, 2024. Please note, these dates are subject to change.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Eligibility Criteria
This vacancy is 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.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Registered General Nurse or Allied Health Professional in relevant clinical discipline with current professional registration e.g. NMC and a Master’s in Public health, or higher degree in a related subject, or evidence of CPD in health protection and documented experience at master’s level Post registration experience as a practitioner in a related field
Desirable criteria
- Recognised teaching qualification or equivalent experience, e.g. ENB 998, PGCE or NVQ Level 4 Certificate in Education
- Professional Public Health qualification and registration e.g. Specialist Community Public Health (SCPHN) part of the NMC Register or UK PH Register for practitioners
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Extensive experience in a health protection role at a senior level with specialist knowledge and expertise in Health Protection
- Proven experience of managing others in a managerial or supervisory role including performance management and appraisal and development
Desirable criteria
- Experience of project principles techniques and tools such as Prince 2 and Managing Successful Projects
- Understanding of public health law
Skills and capabilities
Essential criteria
- Highly effective verbal, written and presentation communications skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
- Proven ability to build trusted stakeholder relationships networks in a politically sensitive and/or changing environment
- Evidence of ability to handle challenging issues taking a problem-solving approach to ensure proactive and effective resolution
- Ability to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others including managing and motivating a team and reviewing individual standards
- Experience of leadership within a changing environment
Desirable criteria
- Experience of budget management and financial processes
- Evidence of understanding of the principles of workforce profiles, strategic workforce planning and workforce deployment issues
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Nneoma Ezeh
- Job title
- Resourcing Support Officer
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
For enquires about your application please contact the recruitment team [email protected] , for enquiries about the role please contact vacancy holder [email protected] .
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