Colindale (Scientific Campus)
Job Summary
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.
The Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (AMRHAI) Reference Unit is the national reference laboratory for investigation of antibiotic resistance in, and characterization of, healthcare-associated bacterial pathogens. We seek to define outbreaks and identify transmission pathways. We use established and developmental phenotypic and genotypic methods to type isolates, to identify markers of virulence, fitness and epidemicity, and to determine their susceptibility to relevant antibiotics. Likely mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance are inferred by interpretive reading, and we offer molecular detection and confirmation of the genetic determinants of key resistances and monitor their dissemination. AMRHAI undertakes surveillance of resistance, advises on outbreak investigation, antimicrobial agents that may be appropriate for therapy, and on any public health risk. It is also the national reference laboratory for pathogens from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). In addition, we provide specialist identification services for ‘unknowns’, which includes atypical, difficult to isolate or emerging bacterial pathogens detected in culture-negative clinical samples and for isolates with no national reference facility.
This is a laboratory-based role within the Antimicrobial Resistance & Mechanisms Service (ARMS) of AMRHAI with primary focus on service delivery. The post-holder will be responsible for the efficient processing of specimens and performing additional laboratory duties to ensure the efficient day to day performance of the laboratory, under the supervision of more senior Biomedical Scientist and Clinical Scientist staff. They will work with senior staff to ensure that both the service and non-service work of AMRHAI is carried out in a safe, effective, timely manner and operates within the Quality system.
We are seeking an HCPC registered Biomedical/Clinical Scientist (AfC Band 5) or a Healthcare Scientist Practitioner (EO).
Candidates holding HCPC registration will be appointed on NHS Terms & Conditions at NHS AfC Band 5. Candidates without HCPC registration will be appointed on Civil Service Terms and Conditions at EO grade.
Job Description
Service delivery
- Receive, sort, unpack, label and process specimens in the laboratory.
- Assist in the provision and organisation of safe, timely, high quality and economical CL2 microbiological, and molecular laboratory duties, guided by standard operating procedures (SOPs) within AMRHAI
- Validate clinical results technically.
- Undertake DNA-based detection of antimicrobial resistance genes in a range of pathogens with assays and techniques such as real-time polymerase chain reaction and whole genome sequencing (WGS)
- Undertake antimicrobial susceptibility testing using a range of phenotypic methods
- Analyse and validate laboratory results, support the senior scientists in dealing with laboratory queries.
- Assist in providing a flexible laboratory response to emergency public health needs including investigation of incidents, of deliberate release of pathogenic organisms and to general investigations of illness as appropriate.
- Assist with evaluation and implementation of new techniques / methods to AMRHAI that enhance effectiveness of the laboratory work.
- Write and update SOPs and controlled documentation.
- Provide technical support to AMRHAI reference services as appropriate including adjusting day-to-day work priorities to meet changing demands or emergency requirements.
- Deal with telephone enquires in relation to clinical specimens.
- Assist senior staff in the management of supporting staff across AMRHAI and deputise for the ARMS HEO when required
Health and Safety
In Collaboration:
- Ensure health, safety and welfare is an afforded priority over other issues and to demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare regarding self, all staff and visitors in the unit
- Assist in maintaining a safe working environment within the unit ensuring risk assessments and COSHH are carried out as and when required and safety policy is adhered to
- Report all accidents and incidents or near misses, dangerous situations or shortcomings in health and safety training instructions and assist in taking remedial action
- Participate in the internal and external safety audits as required and implement any arising corrective actions
- Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co-operate with the UKHSA on any matters of health and safety.
Information Technology
- Entry of results into LIMS system and liaison with senior staff in sending laboratory reports
Quality
- Maintain a high standard of work and contribute to developing the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe effective and economical and follows best practice according to ISO15189 and 17025 standards
Staff Management and Training
- Train and supervise other staff, visitors and students
Support Services & Equipment
- Oversee the service and maintenance of equipment
- Ensure performance checks on equipment are performed and to take appropriate corrective action if equipment fails to meet specification
Strategy, Policy and Service Development
- Contribute to AMRHAI strategic policies, encourage innovations and develop practices that enhance the effectiveness of the Reference Unit’s wor
Other
- Be prepared to work flexibly across the entire AMRHAI Reference Unit as required, maintaining appropriate levels of training as necessary
- The work of AMRHAI is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The Post Holder Will Develop Working Relationships And Communicate Regularly With a Wide Range Of Individuals, Clinical And Non-clinical, Internal And External To UKHSA. Including:
Internal
- Work in close collaboration with the Section Leads, AMRHAI senior management and other staff within AMRHAI.
- Liaise with other staff within the Bacteriology Reference Department, Public Health Microbiology Division and Health Protection Services.
External
- Customers of AMRHAI including NHS laboratories and private / commercial organisations
- Professional groups, grant-funding bodies and other organizations as required.
- Service engineers and contractors
Customer Relationships
- Respond to requests and communicate accurately, sensitive information and less complex results to customers, including basic interpretation and reporting written and verbal results
Service delivery
- Receive, sort, unpack, label and process specimens in the laboratory.
- Assist in the provision and organisation of safe, timely, high quality and economical CL2 microbiological, and molecular laboratory duties, guided by standard operating procedures (SOPs) within AMRHAI
- Validate clinical results technically.
- Undertake DNA-based detection of antimicrobial resistance genes in a range of pathogens with assays and techniques such as real-time polymerase chain reaction and whole genome sequencing (WGS)
- Undertake antimicrobial susceptibility testing using a range of phenotypic methods
- Analyse and validate laboratory results, support the senior scientists in dealing with laboratory queries.
- Assist in providing a flexible laboratory response to emergency public health needs including investigation of incidents, of deliberate release of pathogenic organisms and to general investigations of illness as appropriate.
- Assist with evaluation and implementation of new techniques / methods to AMRHAI that enhance effectiveness of the laboratory work.
- Write and update SOPs and controlled documentation.
- Provide technical support to AMRHAI reference services as appropriate including adjusting day-to-day work priorities to meet changing demands or emergency requirements.
- Deal with telephone enquires in relation to clinical specimens.
- Assist senior staff in the management of supporting staff across AMRHAI and deputise for the ARMS HEO when required
Health and Safety
The Post Holder Will Develop Working Relationships And Communicate Regularly With a Wide Range Of Individuals, Clinical And Non-clinical, Internal And External To UKHSA. Including:
Internal
- Work in close collaboration with the Section Leads, AMRHAI senior management and other staff within AMRHAI.
- Liaise with other staff within the Bacteriology Reference Department, Public Health Microbiology Division and Health Protection Services.
External
- Customers of AMRHAI including NHS laboratories and private / commercial organisations
- Professional groups, grant-funding bodies and other organizations as required.
- Service engineers and contractors
Customer Relationships
- Respond to requests and communicate accurately, sensitive information and less complex results to customers, including basic interpretation and reporting written and verbal results
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- BSc in Microbiology or relevant biological science or equivalent level of qualification and experience
- HCPC registration as a Biomedical or Clinical Scientist (for AfC terms and conditions)
- Evidence of CPD
- Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory at containment level 2
- Good experience and knowledge of multiple laboratory techniques including phenotypic and molecular methods for detection and characterisation of antimicrobial resistance
- Experience in working as part of a team
- Good understanding of quality and safety principles and procedures
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills
- Able to work without supervision - ability to prioritise work in a timely manner - good organisational skills
- Ability to supervise and organise the daily work for self and others - training skills
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action
- Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issues
- Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis
- Skills for managing aspects of projects ensuring they meet targets
Alongside your salary of £32,624, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,451 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Selection process details
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Competency-based
You Will Be Required To Complete An Application Form. You Will Be Assessed On The Listed 12 Essential Criteria, 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 supporting statement will be marked together.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
If used, the pile 'meets all essential criteria' will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift on the lead criteria of:
- BSc in Microbiology or relevant biological science or equivalent level of qualification and experience
- HCPC registration as a Biomedical or Clinical Scientist (for AfC terms and conditions)
- Evidence of CPD
- Good experience and knowledge of multiple laboratory techniques including phenotypic and molecular methods for detection and characterisation of antimicrobial resistance
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.
Please do not exceed 750 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. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview
Interview dates to be confirmed.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Selection Process
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.
Location
This role is based at our Scientific Campus at Colindale. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
Security Clearance Level
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. If based at one of our scientific campuses, 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
External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Salary Information
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
- AfC Band 5 £31,049-£37796 if HCPC registered + Outer London HCAS payment
- EO (Inner London) £32,624- £37,737
Future location
UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.
The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.
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)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Link below: Artificial intelligence and recruitment , Civil Service Careers
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
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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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) (opens in a new window)
- 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 (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
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.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
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
Job Contact :
- Name : Lisa Tweedie
- Email : lisa.tweedie@ukhsa.gov.uk
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
http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7637565
