About the job

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join the largest Virology departments in England. The Virology department forms part of The Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership (MMMP), which is a collaboration between Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The laboratory therefore provides both a clinical Virology service and a public health Virology service to the North-West of England and beyond.

Virology, delivered from the Manchester Royal Infirmary site employs approximately 100 staff and has a workload exceeding 1,000,000 specimens per year. The department embraces all aspects of a modern clinical virology service combining some traditional methodologies with a wide range of laboratory automation. The department is in a managed service contract with Roche Diagnostics.

The laboratory has a friendly atmosphere with a good team spirit and offers the opportunity for you to develop personally and professionally. The department is a designated IBMS training laboratory, has an extensive quality system in operation and is fully accredited.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Healthcare Scientist Practitioner. The post holder will work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high level of microbiological analysis to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment.

The laboratory is accredited by UKAS (ISO15189 standard).

We actively encourage CPD activities.

Job description

Location

This is a lab-based role located at the Clinical Sciences Building, MRI, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL.

*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. Please note that this role has a 7-day working pattern and you may be required to work a variety of shifts, including weekends, throughout the 24-hour period if appropriate to the post.

Responsibilities section:

The post-holder will act as a non-registered Healthcare Scientist Practitioner who provides scientific services to patients and clients as an aid to clinical diagnosis of microbiological disease.  Accuracy and attention to detail is essential.

You will be responsible for:

• Assisting in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. Bioterrorism incident or a major disease e.g. SARS, H5N1 influenza, Covid19, Enteric outbreak etc
• Utilising the appropriate testing, and in a timely manner, to assist the Consultant Virologist, and thus ensure the correct clinical diagnosis
• Performing a range of bacteriological technical and scientific activities, including testing samples referred from other NHS and UKHSA laboratories
• Rotating through various managed units within virology
• Participating in audit processes, drug trials, research projects, as required
• Participating in and monitor Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities, and assist the department in maintaining UKAS accreditation
• Attending regular departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication with the department
• Assessing the suitability and appropriateness of samples received and liaises with senior technical staff for action or advice following departmental sample acceptance policy
• Ensuring data integrity when entering demographics and results into the laboratory information system
• Performing sample preparation, processing bodily fluids and materials, including high risk specimens and reagent preparation following protocols
• Analysis of biological samples including more complex/ specialist investigations requiring a high level of skill.
• Use and maintenance of manual and sophisticated automated equipment
• Assisting with the development of new methods and implementation of new technology
• To work in high-risk Containment Level 3 laboratories following local code of practice within these facilities

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 refer to the attached job description for the full list of roles and responsibilities.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 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

• An accredited Biomedical science degree
• GCSE or equivalent qualifications at C or above in English and Maths
• Demonstration of on-going participation in CPD activity
• Evidence of manual skills
• Evidence of working with numbers
• 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
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales

Desirable

• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience as BMS
• Knowledge of administrative procedures, project management or information analysis
• Basic knowledge of project principles
• Previously worked in similar position within the public sector
• ECDL
• Ability to pull together comprehensive draft reports, data and letters Negotiating, networking and persuasive skills
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to re-prioritise
• Skills for supporting project management

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 of up to 1250 words. 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 an interview either by video or face to face.

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

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.

 

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 29th January 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: TBC 2024

Interviews: w/c TBC 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)

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 Civil Service 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.