Laboratory Manager

Job description

Job responsibilities

As the Laboratory Manager, the post holder will:

• provide support for the efficient and effective operational management of the UKHSA Public Health Laboratory, Birmingham. This is done in conjunction with the Regional Head of Laboratory Operations, Microbiology Clinical Lead and the Laboratory Management teams and with the Clinical Director and Directorate Manager UHB
• deputise for the Regional/Head of Laboratory Operations.
• In partnership with the Regional Clinical Services Director/ Microbiology Clinical Lead to provide vision, leadership and direction to the Laboratory, and to lead in strategic development, including identification, prioritisation of, and support for specific service developments and research areas.
• have responsibility for the provision of efficient and effective services by the Laboratory, in accordance with UKHSA and Partnership policies and procedures, and in line with the various accreditation schemes
• lead delivery of the laboratory diagnostic services, providing high quality analysis, which meets clinical and scientific requirements and complies with best practice and are safe, economical and effective
• lead on developments with the Consultant staff within the Laboratory to ensure that the laboratory makes an effective contribution within the Trusts Laboratory Medicine Directorate and Regional Microbiology Network.
• provide technical and financial support for laboratories, where appropriate, in development of clinical and public health networks and project groups.
• oversee the management of laboratory frameworks; training, information technology, Quality, Risk, Research and Development.:
• lead the recruitment and selection of staff. Including: Preparing job descriptions and person specifications. Drafting advertisements and vacancy notifications. Chairing interview panels
• take responsibility for maintaining professional competence and awareness of relevant developments in the Laboratory and other biomedical sciences and for introducing and maintaining methodologies in accordance with UKHSA policy and SOPs.
• ensure the provision of an efficient, effective and timely service with maximum productivity within allocated resource

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

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 essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the below 8 essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1500 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.

Please be aware that you will be assessed on the below listed 8 essential criteria, rather than the full list on the job description document.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview &and assessment. Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Stage 2: Interview (competency based)

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

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

There will be a 15 minute presentation as part of the 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).

Location

This role is based at UKHSA Birmingham Laboratory, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Laboratory and Pathology Building, Birmingham, B9 5SS.

The Laboratory operates a 7-day working week and the successful applicant will be required to work 37.5 hours per week based on a shift system including a requirement to work at weekends and bank holidays.

If based at one of our scientific locations you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

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 a Counter-terrorist Check.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC).

UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• MSc (or a degree and relevant experience) in Microbiology or Biological Science or related subject
• Registered with the HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist.

Experience

Essential

• IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Virology/Microbiology or relevant experience
• Extensive postgraduate practical, technical and theoretical experience in Medical Microbiology and Medical Laboratory Sciences.
• Extensive knowledge and expertise in various managerial fields, including finance, HR, business, project management, planning, leadership, procurement etc., gained both by qualifications and lengthy experience.
• Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups.
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands and to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options.
• Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly.

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

UKHSA Birmingham Laboratory

Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Laboratory and Pathology Building, Bordesley Green East

Birmingham

B9 5SS

Employer's website

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