UK Health Security Agency

Laboratory and Equipment Officer

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The post-holder will act as a Laboratory and Equipment Officer who will be responsible for overseeing and maintaining the laboratories and equipment of the Vaccine Evaluation Unit (VEU).

They will implement and manage the VEU laboratory and equipment management system ensuring that these systems become progressively more effective in quality terms and meet both regulatory and accreditation requirements.

They will assist in the operational management of the VEU to maintain an efficient and effective service and provide advice on quality issues. They will be encouraged to meet the highest professional standards through personal and staff development.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for the right individual to take on this permanent post within the Vaccine Evaluation Unit. The post-holder will act as a Laboratory and Equipment Officer who will support the Unit in providing scientific services to patients and clients as an aid in the evaluation of immunological responses to vaccines and microbiological disease.

The role will incorporate oversight of the Unit's facilities and laboratory equipment (design qualification, installation qualification, operation qualification and performance qualification) and delegated duties associated with the maintenance of the Unit's Quality Management System.

The successful applicant will possess an appropriate biological degree, and have already had substantial appropriate laboratory experience. We are looking for an individual who can work well as part of a team and who has good communication and technical/IT skills.

The laboratory is accredited by CPA; and we actively encourage CPD activities and post-graduate qualifications.

About us

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.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Details

Date posted

25 November 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£31,997 to £39,076 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-HM-300495-EXT

Job locations

Manchester Royal Infirmary

Oxford Rd,

Manchester

M13 9WL


Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Governance

  • To participate in audit processes, clinical trials, and research projects, as required.
  • To assist in the management and monitoring of laboratory and equipment, and ensure the Unit maintains United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) ISO 15189, Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Medicines for Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA) GCP for Laboratories.
  • To investigate clinical and non-clinical incidents in relation to the Units laboratory and equipment and report to the Head of the VEU, Deputy Head of the VEU, Quality Officer and MMMP Quality Manager in accordance with Trust incident reporting policy.
  • To attend regular Unit meetings and contribute to effective communication within the Unit.

Laboratory Equipment Management

  • To be responsible for implementation, management and maintenance of the VEU laboratory and equipment management systems.
  • To perform an active role in the procurement (Design Qualification) for new equipment.
  • To manage and coordinate the Units laboratory and equipment to all established equipment qualification requirements in terms of servicing, maintenance, calibration and validation arrangements.
  • To manage the Units laboratory and equipment records.
  • To liaise with the relevant agencies and companies regarding laboratory and equipment issues including the needs and requirements of users.
  • To provide help and advice to VEU Section Heads on laboratory and equipment management matters.Education and Development.

Education and Development

  • To organise and coordinate the supervision, monitoring of training and development, assessment of competence and continuing professional development within the Unit of: Clinical Scientists, Senior Scientists, Healthcare Scientist Specialist Section Leads, Healthcare Scientist Practitioners, Senior Assistant Healthcare Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants.
  • To provide and develop training for staff.
  • To assist in the training of staff.
  • To assist with the development of the VEU training plan.

Policy

  • To work in a safe manner in accordance with Laboratory Health and Safety policies and procedures.

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

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the below listed essential criteria which have been selected from the job description.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency-based Assessments

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the below listed 12essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • Up to 1500 word Statement of Suitability

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

To see a full list of criteria please refer to the attached job description.

If you are successful at this stage, you will be asked to complete a Technical Test and if you meet the pass mark will progress to an interview.

Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview.

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

Interviews will be held week commencing TBC. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as lab/office working based at:

Manchester Royal InfirmaryOxford Rd,ManchesterM13 9WL

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.

Face to Face interviews

If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Governance

  • To participate in audit processes, clinical trials, and research projects, as required.
  • To assist in the management and monitoring of laboratory and equipment, and ensure the Unit maintains United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) ISO 15189, Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Medicines for Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA) GCP for Laboratories.
  • To investigate clinical and non-clinical incidents in relation to the Units laboratory and equipment and report to the Head of the VEU, Deputy Head of the VEU, Quality Officer and MMMP Quality Manager in accordance with Trust incident reporting policy.
  • To attend regular Unit meetings and contribute to effective communication within the Unit.

Laboratory Equipment Management

  • To be responsible for implementation, management and maintenance of the VEU laboratory and equipment management systems.
  • To perform an active role in the procurement (Design Qualification) for new equipment.
  • To manage and coordinate the Units laboratory and equipment to all established equipment qualification requirements in terms of servicing, maintenance, calibration and validation arrangements.
  • To manage the Units laboratory and equipment records.
  • To liaise with the relevant agencies and companies regarding laboratory and equipment issues including the needs and requirements of users.
  • To provide help and advice to VEU Section Heads on laboratory and equipment management matters.Education and Development.

Education and Development

  • To organise and coordinate the supervision, monitoring of training and development, assessment of competence and continuing professional development within the Unit of: Clinical Scientists, Senior Scientists, Healthcare Scientist Specialist Section Leads, Healthcare Scientist Practitioners, Senior Assistant Healthcare Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants.
  • To provide and develop training for staff.
  • To assist in the training of staff.
  • To assist with the development of the VEU training plan.

Policy

  • To work in a safe manner in accordance with Laboratory Health and Safety policies and procedures.

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

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the below listed essential criteria which have been selected from the job description.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency-based Assessments

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the below listed 12essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • Up to 1500 word Statement of Suitability

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

To see a full list of criteria please refer to the attached job description.

If you are successful at this stage, you will be asked to complete a Technical Test and if you meet the pass mark will progress to an interview.

Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview.

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

Interviews will be held week commencing TBC. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as lab/office working based at:

Manchester Royal InfirmaryOxford Rd,ManchesterM13 9WL

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.

Face to Face interviews

If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • BSc Hons in appropriate biological degree
  • Experience with laboratory computer systems. Comprehensive IT skills Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet and email
  • Good communication skills
  • Ability to work unsupervised
  • Ability to liaise with all grades of staff in and out of the Unit
  • Ability to work such hours as necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the job
  • Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
  • Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options
  • Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action
  • Ability to carry out procurements for highly detailed, high value contracts that require analysis, comparison and assessment
  • Plans and organises a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing
  • Works with Stakeholders to develop performance improvement plans and to develop plans for innovation and opening up the market
Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • BSc Hons in appropriate biological degree
  • Experience with laboratory computer systems. Comprehensive IT skills Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet and email
  • Good communication skills
  • Ability to work unsupervised
  • Ability to liaise with all grades of staff in and out of the Unit
  • Ability to work such hours as necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the job
  • Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
  • Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options
  • Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action
  • Ability to carry out procurements for highly detailed, high value contracts that require analysis, comparison and assessment
  • Plans and organises a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing
  • Works with Stakeholders to develop performance improvement plans and to develop plans for innovation and opening up the market

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Manchester Royal Infirmary

Oxford Rd,

Manchester

M13 9WL


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Manchester Royal Infirmary

Oxford Rd,

Manchester

M13 9WL


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Resourcing Officer

Harry Mccullagh

Recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

25 November 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£31,997 to £39,076 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-HM-300495-EXT

Job locations

Manchester Royal Infirmary

Oxford Rd,

Manchester

M13 9WL


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)