Biomedical Scientist Team Leader

UK Health Security Agency

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 10th November 2024

 

Details

Reference number

374361

Salary

£46,148 - £52,809
per annum pro rata

Job grade

Other
AFC Band 7

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Science

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time, Shift working

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

Birmingham (Heartlands Hospital)

Job summary

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.

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.  

Job description

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.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

  • BSc Biomedical Science degree or equivalent academic achievement ratified by the IBMS
  • Health Professions Council (HCPC) registered
  • Has completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in either Bacteriology or Virology
  • Master of Science (MSc.) or equivalent qualification/experience
  • 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
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • 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 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)
  • 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.

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

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
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.

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 : Carlie James
  • Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

  • Email : recruitment@ukhsa..gov.uk

Further information

he 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/

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