About the job

Job summary

Biomedical Scientist

Grade AFC Band 6 (Outer) - £40,701 to £48,054

UKHSA Colindale

Permanent Contract

Are you passionate about microbiology and public health? We have an exciting opportunity to join the Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (AMRHAI) Reference Unit within the Bacteriology Reference Department (BRD). AMRHAI plays a pivotal role in pathogen detection, confirmation and epidemiology. We define outbreaks and identify transmission pathways. Using our cutting-edge methods, including both established and developmental phenotypic and genotypic techniques, we specialise in identifying and typing bacterial isolates, including those with no national reference facility.

As an experienced and enthusiastic Biomedical scientist, you will be part of a team contributing to the provision of a reference service to identify bacterial isolates using a variety of phenotypic (e.g. MALDI-ToF, biochemical) and genotypic (e.g. 16S rRNA gene PCR/sequencing) methods and diagnostic detection of bacteria in culture-negative clinical specimens. You will have diagnostic skills to efficiently process specimens, perform necessary laboratory tests, validate results, and provide expert advice to our valued customers. You will work closely with senior staff to supervise, train and develop departmental colleagues and visitors.

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

Job description

Responsibilities section:

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

• To supervise or perform reference microbiological, and molecular laboratory tests, as required, according to local standard operating procedures (SOPS) and other quality documentation.
• To read and interpret laboratory results.
• To be aware of anomalous results, recognising these when they occur and reporting them appropriately.
• To ensure that important or unusual reports are drawn to the attention of senior staff and to report complaints or anomalies as soon as possible.
• To assist in the production and dissemination of laboratory reports, data and statistics, including the issuing of authorised reports by telephone and being aware of the priority of reports.

• To use of the laboratory information system (LIMS) to undertake data entry, electronically request and receive tests and look up results etc.

• To assist in the calibration and maintenance of equipment.
• To maintain a high standard of professional competence and technical skill in the performance of all tests and investigations carried out in the laboratory.
• To assist in the introduction of new and amended methodology.
• The department will be able to support further specialist training, e.g. working at containment level 3.

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 job description attached for full list of duties and competencies associated with the post.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 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
• State registration with HCPC
• Working knowledge of microbiological laboratory procedures
• Significant postgraduate experience in a relevant field
• Experience with LIMS
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)

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 knowledge
• Experience of working in a healthcare environment

Please ensure that your statement of suitability does not contain any personal identifiers such as Name, Gender, Location, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or Religion. The UKHSA operates a fair and open recruitment policy.

 

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 competency based framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate.  The following criteria will be used at the interview:

• Experience
• Knowledge
• Technical Skills

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 28th 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: 11th March 2024

Interviews: w/c 18th March 2024

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 NHS 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

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.