Healthcare Scientist Specialist
UK Health Security Agency
About the job
Job summary
Healthcare Scientist Specialist
HEO Inner £34,463 - £41,478
Based at UKHSA Colindale – full-time on-site
Permanent Contract
Are you looking for an excellent opportunity to enhance your scientific career and put into practice your laboratory experience and knowledge. Join the team in Food & Environmental Proficiency Testing Unit (FEPTU) at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and make a difference in supporting the work we do.
FEPTU is part External Quality Assurance services and provide external quality assessment (EQA) schemes for food, water and clinical microbiology laboratories throughout the United Kingdom, and worldwide. Results reported by microbiology laboratories often play a significant role in health protection and managing public health incidents; tools such as External quality assessment/Proficiency Testing is essential for laboratories to be able to demonstrate that their results are accurate, reliable and reproducible.
We are looking for a supervisor to oversee laboratory activities, staff and provide technical support for the unit. The post holder will have scientific knowledge and be able to carry out molecular and culture microbiological tests; schedule laboratory work to meet deadlines; allocate daily procedures to other laboratory staff; ensure that the quality system and standard operating procedures are followed; train staff and audit procedures. The supervisor also has a role in procuring laboratory supplies and equipment, stock control, undertaking risk assessments and preparing laboratory documentation.
Location
Based at UKHSA Colindale – due to the nature of the role, you will be expected to be based on-site on a full-time basis
*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
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
The laboratory supervisor plays a pivotal role in the delivery of various external quality assessment (EQA) schemes by the testing, production and development of EQA samples. Whilst supporting quality management systems; health and safety protocols; and the development of self and colleagues.
The successful candidate will maintain a high standard of work and contribute to developing the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe, effective and economical and follows best practice. Ensure compliance with accreditation and certification standards. And contribute to internal audit schedules and corrective actions. As well as take on additional responsibilities for quality, project and health and safety as part of personal development; and attend internal / external seminars and training events
At the hub between laboratory and management activities, communication is a key element to the role, and you will be required to liaise with technical and scientific staff in FEPTU and organization wide.
You will be expected to ensure that health, safety and welfare is an afforded priority over other issues and to demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare regarding self, staff and visitors. To comply with safety policies, procedures, COSHH and risk assessments
This role offers opportunity to lead and undertake laboratory-based research projects, to deputise for the quality manager, and support health and safety leads as part of personal development. As such, our ideal candidate thrives in a challenging environment, is motivated by making an impact and delivering results, and is comfortable with at times, working under pressure as well as working to strict timelines. The role requires a self-starter with an eye for detail, who has the confidence to navigate, with support, a complex environment, for service deliver.
Your Key Responsibilities will include:
- Contribute to the development of new protocols/procedures for External Quality Assessment (PT) samples.
- Perform procedures and interpret and record test results according to given protocols for the production, quality control and evaluation of PT samples, and other quality products provided by FEPTU.
- Apply knowledge of the relevant microbiology specialism (food and/or water microbiology) in the design, quality control and stability testing of PT samples (current and future) – including those for molecular testing.
- Plan long-term and day-to-day laboratory procedures to meet the FEPTU schedules in consultation with the Laboratory Co-ordinator/Quality Manager.
- Prepare and review documents and Standard Operating Procedures.
- Work with the Laboratory Co-ordinator/Quality Manager to ensure that an on-going training development is managed for all laboratory staff for all FEPTU procedures.
- Ensure procurement of laboratory supplies and culture media is undertaken in a timely manner.
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
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
- Degree in biological/biomedical science/food/water microbiology or a related subject
- Maths and English GCSE: C or above
- Experience of food and water microbiology testing or extensive laboratory experience in microbiology laboratory
- Experience of working in an accredited UKAS laboratory
- Ability to analyse and interpret microbiological testing information
- To be able to work unsupervised and experience of supervising others
Desirable
- Postgraduate degree in biological/biomedical science/food/water microbiology or a related subject
- Can demonstrate understanding of quality systems
- Molecular diagnostic experience
- Experience of data analysis
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
Alongside your salary of £34,463, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,305 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Things you need to know
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 an in-person 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.
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. Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 5-10 minute presentation to the panel. This will be followed by a practical lab test and a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.
The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:
- Treating your managers, colleagues and clients with respect
- Projecting a positive attitude
- Communicate respectfully
- Take responsibility
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 25th 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: 1st March 2024
Interviews: w/c 11th 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 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
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.