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Job summary
Biomedical Scientist/Healthcare Scientist
Grade AFC Band 6 Outer/HEO Inner - £40,701 to £48,054/£34,463 to £41,478
UKHSA Colindale
Permanent Contract
The Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unity (RVPBRU) based at UKHSA, Colindale comprises two sections, the Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Section (VPBS) and the Zoonotic and Acute Respiratory Sections (ZARS). The VPBS provides national reference services for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bordetella pertussis, toxigenic corynebacteria and Haemophilus influenzae and also hosts the WHO Collaborating Centre for Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The WHO Global Collaborating Centre for Diphtheria & Streptococcal infections is also hosted by the Bacteriology Reference Department and the associated diphtheria laboratory activities are performed by, or in collaboration with, the VPBS. ZARS provides national reference services for Legionella, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, and respiratory Chlamydia species. RVPBRU assists in pathogen detection, confirmation, and epidemiology, defining outbreaks and identifying transmission pathways and uses established phenotypic and genotypic methods to identify and type isolates based on key genetic targets. RVPBRU undertakes surveillance, advises on outbreak investigation and on any public health risk.
As a Biomedical Scientist/Healthcare Scientist working in the ZARS team, you can be a part of a team that is dedicated to providing quality healthcare services. You will be responsible for supporting the laboratory’s day-to-day operations, including supervising the efficient processing of specimens, performing necessary laboratory tests, validating results, and reporting results to customers. You will also assist in the development and introduction of new laboratory methodology. Additionally, you would be expected to assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature. Join our team today and make a difference in the world of healthcare!
UKHSA Colindale – On-Site
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Working Pattern – Full Time, 37.5 Hours per Week
Job description
Responsibilities section:
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- Receive, sort, unpack, label and process specimens in the laboratory.
- Use the laboratory information system (LIMS) to undertake data entry, to electronically request and receive tests and look up results etc.
- Supervise or perform microbiological, serological, and molecular laboratory tests, as required, according to local standard operating procedures (SOPS) and other quality documentation
- Be aware of anomalous results, recognising these when they occur and reporting them appropriately.
- Ensure that important or unusual reports are drawn to the attention of senior staff and to report complaints or anomalies as soon as possible.
- Assist in the calibration and maintenance of equipment.
- Prepare and adhere to laboratory SOPs, risk assessments and other documentation.
- Use equipment in a safe and responsible manner.
- Perform general laboratory duties e.g checking and cleaning instruments/equipment, recording temperatures, preparing reagents and assistance with stock control.
- Ensure the correct disposal of laboratory waste.
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.
Please see full duties and responsibilities attached
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):
Essential
- BSc in a relevant subject
- A demonstrable plan to achieve HCPC registration within 18 months of appointment(Healthcare Scientist)/ State registration with HCPC (Biomedical Scientist)
- Working knowledge of microbiological laboratory procedures
- Significant postgraduate experience in a relevant field
- Experience with LIMS
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) (Biomedical Scientist)
Desirable
- MSc in a relevant subject
- Practical experience in a microbiology laboratory with demonstrable ability to perform and evaluate a range of tests
- A good level of theoretical and practical microbiological and molecular testing
- Experience of working in a healthcare environment
Benefits
- 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 average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
This competition will involve a face-to-face interview.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).
You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.
The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
- Collaborating and Partnering
- Managing a quality service
- Delivery at Pace
For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 4th February 2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Shortlist: 9th February 2024
Interviews: 22nd February
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)
Nationality requirements
Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
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 welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
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 Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.
For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Please Note
This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.
Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Complaint process:
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: Complaints1@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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
