Job summary
£43,742- £50,056, AfC Band 7 (National)
This is a Lab based role, located at Clinical Scientist Building, MRI, 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
This is an exciting opportunity to join the largest Virology department in England situated in The Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership (MMMP). The MMMP is a collaboration between Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) which provides both diagnostic and clinical services to one of the largest Foundation Trusts in England and Public Health services to the North-West of England and beyond.
Main duties of the job
The MMMP Virology department is situated on the Oxford Road Campus of MFT, adjacent to the University of Manchester. The department has grown significantly in size in recent years and employs in the region of 200 staff and has a workload exceeding 1,000,000 specimens per year. The department embraces all aspects of a modern clinical virology service with large serology, molecular and pathogen whole genome sequencing laboratories.
Applications are invited from HCPC registered Clinical Scientists with applications considered from those within 6 months of anticipated registration dependent on relevant experience. Extensive experience in virology is not necessary but a strong molecular background would be advantageous.
As a clinical scientist, you will join a team of 4 clinical scientists and 5 Consultant Medical Virologists/Consultant Clinical Scientists. The laboratory has a friendly atmosphere with a good team spirit and offers the opportunity for you to develop personally and professionally.
With appropriate training and experience, you may have the opportunity to participate in an out of hours on-call rota for clinical advice and exceptionally may be expected to work overtime during the response to national incidents.
About us
Working for the UKHSA
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
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Responsibilities:
- Supporting the virology laboratory diagnostic services by leading on assay development and quality improvement projects contributing to the technical oversight of existing services.
- Development and application of diagnostic methods, both serological and molecular, for the detection and analysis of infectious diseases primarily viral in nature.
- To contribute to the management and development of diagnostic services as above.
- To communicate and liaise with a broad range of customers, both in the course of providing services of a highly specialised nature which will contribute to patient management, and in giving clinical advice and interpretation of results.
- To contribute to the work of the department in clinical liaison and infection control under the supervision of the consultants including participating in virtual or physical ward rounds.
- To establish and maintain collaborative links with scientists and clinicians within and outside the UKHSA, both nationally and internationally.
- Communicate the outcome of research and development work to the scientific community at local, national and international meetings and in papers offered for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
- To participate in teaching programmes conducted by staff of the MMMP including medical students, nurses and paramedical students. This includes demonstrations and small group tutorials. Other teaching is on an ad-hoc basis.
- To be responsible for maintaining a high standard of work.
- You will assist the clinical team with interpretation and authorisation of laboratory results and be supported in providing clinical advice to healthcare professionals on a regional level.
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.
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form and 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 face to face or via video.
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.
Please note that you may be asked to undertake a test or presentation at interview.
For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 6th of December 2023 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
Interviews: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Responsibilities:
- Supporting the virology laboratory diagnostic services by leading on assay development and quality improvement projects contributing to the technical oversight of existing services.
- Development and application of diagnostic methods, both serological and molecular, for the detection and analysis of infectious diseases primarily viral in nature.
- To contribute to the management and development of diagnostic services as above.
- To communicate and liaise with a broad range of customers, both in the course of providing services of a highly specialised nature which will contribute to patient management, and in giving clinical advice and interpretation of results.
- To contribute to the work of the department in clinical liaison and infection control under the supervision of the consultants including participating in virtual or physical ward rounds.
- To establish and maintain collaborative links with scientists and clinicians within and outside the UKHSA, both nationally and internationally.
- Communicate the outcome of research and development work to the scientific community at local, national and international meetings and in papers offered for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
- To participate in teaching programmes conducted by staff of the MMMP including medical students, nurses and paramedical students. This includes demonstrations and small group tutorials. Other teaching is on an ad-hoc basis.
- To be responsible for maintaining a high standard of work.
- You will assist the clinical team with interpretation and authorisation of laboratory results and be supported in providing clinical advice to healthcare professionals on a regional level.
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.
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form and 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 face to face or via video.
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.
Please note that you may be asked to undertake a test or presentation at interview.
For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 6th of December 2023 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
Interviews: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Postgraduate degree in Microbiology / Molecular Biology / Virology.
Desirable
- PhD in Microbiology / Molecular Biology / Virology.
Experience
Essential
- Health Professions Council Registration as a clinical scientist (or within 6 months of achieving this).
- Good general medical microbiology and virology experience and experience of PCR and interest in Serology
- Good communicator and team worker, understands the importance of good relationships with staff and customers.
- Confident in presentation of ideas and information, decisive with excellent analytical and leadership skills.
- Able to organise oneself and others, to set and achieve deadline in personal training.
- Highly motivated and able to self-determine, reliable and conscientious and with attention to detail.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable
- Experience of sequencing and of research/assay development.
- Experience of laboratory safety requirements and procedures and quality system management.
- Able to work to tight deadlines.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Postgraduate degree in Microbiology / Molecular Biology / Virology.
Desirable
- PhD in Microbiology / Molecular Biology / Virology.
Experience
Essential
- Health Professions Council Registration as a clinical scientist (or within 6 months of achieving this).
- Good general medical microbiology and virology experience and experience of PCR and interest in Serology
- Good communicator and team worker, understands the importance of good relationships with staff and customers.
- Confident in presentation of ideas and information, decisive with excellent analytical and leadership skills.
- Able to organise oneself and others, to set and achieve deadline in personal training.
- Highly motivated and able to self-determine, reliable and conscientious and with attention to detail.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable
- Experience of sequencing and of research/assay development.
- Experience of laboratory safety requirements and procedures and quality system management.
- Able to work to tight deadlines.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
