About the job

Job summary

UKHSA provides microbiology services through a network of regional laboratories and central reference laboratories. UKHSA commissions its diagnostic Microbiology service for the Yorkshire & Humber region from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT).

As the Biomedical Scientist you will work as part of the UKHSA employed team based in the Leeds Regional Laboratory, providing microbiology support for the laboratory based CDRN surveillance activities. The Leeds Regional Laboratory is the national laboratory for the Clostridium difficile Ribotyping Network (CDRN) in England. UKHSA is currently implementing a plan to introduce new technologies and services, such as Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to the Clostridium difficile services it currently provides. This role will support the Lead Scientist in the CDRN unit in delivering this plan.

You will be required to support the emergency response capability of the Leeds Laboratory should this be required and also to work with colleagues to provide a laboratory liaison service to the Yorkshire & Humber Health Protection teams.

Location

This will be a lab-based role located at Centre for Laboratory Medicine St. James Hospital, Beckett Street, Harehills, Leeds, LS9 7TF.

*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, Part Time, Job Share UKHSA services delivered by the Leeds Regional Laboratory are normally only provided within core office hours (Monday-Friday 8.30am – 5pm). You will not usually be required to work outside of these hours. However, there may be occasions (e.g., outbreaks, pandemics) when UKHSA will require you to work outside these hours (e.g., evenings, weekends, bank holidays) to deliver the required response.

Job description

Responsibilities section:

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• To work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high-quality Clostridium difficile ribotyping service to provide patients and clinicians with the highest level of diagnosis, treatment and surveillance.
• To assist the Lead Scientist in the development and transition to a WGS service for CDRN
• To provide expert technical support for the specialist work undertaken within the laboratory
• To assist in any UKHSA coordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g., a Bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak
• To participate in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities and assist the department in maintaining ISO 15189 accreditation from UKAS (UK Accreditation Service).
• To participate in the provision of out-of-hours services should these be required
• To provide support for any PH initiatives undertaken in Leeds UKHSA
• Responsible for organising and controlling own workload ensuring deadlines are observed and duties performed efficiently.
• To assist in the supervision and training of trainee BMSs or HSSWs and other less experienced BMS staff
• To deputise for Senior BMS staff where appropriate and when necessary.

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. For the full list of responsibilities and duties, please see the full job description.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of up to 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

• IBMS Specialist Diploma in Medical Microbiology
• Educated to degree level in an appropriate medical / microbiological/biological science or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area e.g. molecular biology
• Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Biomedical Scientist
• Experience in diagnostic bacteriology and bacterial culture techniques
• Experience of diagnostic molecular biology testing, molecular methods including real time PCR and sequencing
• Recent experience in a diagnostic, reference virology laboratory or genomics laboratory
• Good record keeping, attention to detail
• Experience of working in a regulated environment with quality systems and knowledge of UKAS/ISO
• Experience of using computerised data systems
• Experience of evaluating new techniques/equipment

Desirable

• MSc or higher qualification in an appropriate medical / microbiological/biological science
• Experience of training staff.
• Experience of working in a health care environment.
• Awareness of a range of Health Services provisions and knowledge of NHS issues.

Benefits

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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%
• Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK

Things you need to know

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – 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 an interview either by video or face to face.

Please note that you may be asked to undertake a test or presentation at 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. 

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 3rd April 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.

Please note these dates could be subject to change. 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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.