About the job

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest microbiology departments in England as a Biomedical scientist. The Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership (MMMP) is a collaboration between UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
You will work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high level of microbiological analysis in order to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment. The Microbiology delivered from the Manchester Royal Infirmary site employs around 130 staff and has a workload of approximately 1.2 million specimens. The department embraces all aspects of a modern clinical bacteriology service combining traditional methodologies with laboratory automation.

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

You will:

• act as a registered Biomedical Scientist who provides scientific services to patients and clients as an aid to clinical diagnosis of microbiological disease.  Accuracy and attention to detail is essential.
• perform a range of bacteriological technical and scientific activities, including testing samples referred from other NHS and UKHSA laboratories.
• utilise the appropriate testing, and in a timely manner, to assist the Consultant Microbiologists, and thus ensure the correct clinical diagnosis.  
• assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. Bioterrorism incident or a major disease e.g. COVID, SARS, H5N1 influenza, Enteric outbreak 
• assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples received and liaises with senior technical staff for action or advice following departmental sample acceptance policy.
• ensure data integrity when entering demographics and results into the laboratory information system.
• perform sample preparation, processing bodily fluids and materials, including high    risk specimens and reagent preparation following protocols.
• analyse biological samples including more complex/ specialist investigations requiring a high level of skill.

 For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Person specification

Essential Criteria 

Please be aware that we will assess on the 7 essential criteria stated on the advert rather than the full list on the job description document. 

• Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) registered.  BSc in Medical Microbiology, Biomedical Science or equivalent.  IBMS Specialist Diploma (from 2005) or IBMS fellowship in Medical Microbiology.
• Good all round knowledge of medical microbiology
• Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate course of action to address the issues
• Experience and understanding of evaluating and measuring the performance of health services.
• Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
• Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales

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

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and capabilities 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 above listed 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of : 

• a CV/ Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application) 
• a 500 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 CV / Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

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 (competency based) 

You will be invited to a remote  interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview . 

There maybe a  Technical Test, assessment, or Presentation.  If a presentation is required, details will be sent prior to 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 Criteria 

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).  

Disability Confident scheme   

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.  

Reserve List clause  

Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.   

If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.  

Starting salary  

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.    

The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.    

Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.   

For further details please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment .

 

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.