Quality Assurance Practitioner
UK Health Security Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Friday 8th November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
We are looking for the right individual to take on this permanent post, within the Quality section of the Vaccine Evaluation Unit. You will act as a Quality Assurance Practitioner who will support the Unit in providing scientific services to patients and clients as an aid in the evaluation of immunological responses to vaccines and microbiological disease.
The role will incorporate responsibilities associated with the Unit’s facilities and laboratory equipment (design qualification, installation qualification, operation qualification and performance qualification) and delegated duties associated with the maintenance of the Unit’s Quality Management System.
You will possess an appropriate biological degree and have already had some appropriate laboratory experience. We are looking for an individual who can work well as part of a team and who has good communication/keyboard skills.
The laboratory is accredited by CPA; and we actively encourage CPD activities and post-graduate qualifications.
Job description
Main Responsibilities
Clinical Governance
- To participate in and monitor Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities and assist the Unit in maintaining UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation service) accreditation to ISO 15189, GCLP (Good Clinical Laboratory Practice) compliance, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidance.
Quality Management
- To assist in the development of laboratory protocols, and where possible suggest improvements to, laboratory policies and procedures.
- To assist in the supervision of Senior Assistant Healthcare Scientists, Healthcare Scientist Practitioners, Quality Assurance Practitioner and visiting scientists and engineers to the Unit.
- To assist in the maintenance of the VEU Quality Systems.
- To assist with the management of equipment records, including servicing, calibration and validation arrangements.
- To assist and participate in external inspections.
- To assist in the issue, control and maintenance of relevant SOPs, policies and procedures.
- To undertake activities pertaining to the retention and archive of VEU documents.
Education and Development
- To undertake on-going training and development and update Professional Development Plan, as required.
- To undertake the training, supervision and monitoring of Senior Assistant Healthcare Scientists, Healthcare Scientist Practitioners and students in accordance with the nature of a large teaching hospital.
- To present data at conferences nationally.
Scientific
- To refer unusual or unfamiliar events to senior staff for action or advice.
- To use, maintain and calibrate equipment for the performance of specialist assays.
- To assist with, and where appropriate be responsible for, the development of new methods and implementation of new technology.
- To demonstrate appropriate competency to participate in Unit’s out of hours service. During these periods the post holder will be a lone worker.
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.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- BSc Hons in appropriate biological degree
Experience
Essential criteria
- In depth understanding of quality procedures and control and relevant legal standards
- Basic scientific mathematics
- Skills for communication on complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- Skills for manipulating information
- Advanced keyboard skills, use of a range of software
- Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines
- An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust
- Good time keeping
- Flexible approach to work
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 employer contribution of 28.97%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Selection process details
Stage 1: Application & Sift – Competency based assessments
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 11 essential criteria that have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of:
- an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- a maximum 500 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.
Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.
Please do not exceed 500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2 - Interview
If successful, you will be invited to a face-to-face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
There will be a written Technical Test as part of the interview process.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 8th November 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.
Interviews: w/c 25th November 2024.
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Location
This is a lab-based role located at Manchester Royal Infirmary. Please note Hybrid is not an option for this post.
Eligibility Criteria (choose as appropriate)
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Security clearance level requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
You will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) 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 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.
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)
Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Jon Payne
- Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
Further information
