Job responsibilities
- Work independently and within a team to perform a range of diagnostic assays and techniques as required to meet the needs of the RIPL service provision, including ELISA, IFA and real-time PCR, and in line with relevant accreditation schemes, such as ISO15189.
- Perform required work and procedures at containment level 3, including inactivation and extraction for PCR and microbiological analysis of environmental samples.
- Oversee an area of the laboratory with support from senior staff in the department.
- Play a leading role in the delivery of training for specific areas of the laboratory
- Take responsibility for maintaining quality processes according to ISO15189 for across specific areas of the laboratory, including, stock control, management and acceptance of reagents and consumables, organising of engineers, troubleshooting of assays, non-conformance investigation and root cause analysis, and identifying trends and escalating to senior management.
- Assist in the identification, evaluation and adaptation of new technologies and diagnostic tests to enhance the laboratories capabilities and to ensure the project area works to a high scientific standard.
- Supervise the workload of a team of staff within an area of the laboratory, prioritising, co-ordinating and organising investigations.
- Ensuring investigations meet agreed timescales required by RIPL service level agreement and escalating in the event of delays.
- Undertake general laboratory duties including housekeeping, disposal of waste, equipment maintenance, stock control and
- Undergo training requirements as required for the post.
- Participate in the RIPL on-call rota to provide 24/7 cover.
- Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with safety and ISO15189 quality requirements and complete any training requirements as required for this post.
- To perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade.
- Deputise as appropriate for senior staff
- To maintain HCPC registration as a condition of employment
- To maintain high professional standards by continual professional development keeping up to date with advances in medical microbiology
- To maintain a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory and other members of the team
- Promote a culture of inclusion and belonging by actively contributing to a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and respected.
- To ensure health, safety and welfare are afforded priority and to demonstrate commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors and comply with relevant UKHSA health and safety policies at all times
- To escalate risks that cannot be controlled to senior management team
- To notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure
- To report any personal sickness (during and after such an event) that may have potentially been caused by or may impact upon work, in line with the UKHSA Sickness Absence management policy.
Essential criteria :
- HCPC registered as a Biomedical Scientist with minimum two years post registration experience
- Degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate medical/microbiology/biological science discipline
- Experience working in a diagnostic or reference virology laboratory
- Experience working in a regulated environment with quality systems and knowledge of ISO15189
- Experience of diagnostic molecular biology testing and molecular methods including real-time PCR
- Good knowledge and experience of serological methods including ELISA and IFA.
- Experience of analysing and interpreting information, evaluating issues, and recommending appropriate course of action, for example non-conformance investigations and use of root cause analysis
- Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
- Resilience and ability to work at pace to ensure delivery of a highly responsive diagnostic service with a 24/7 on-call capability.
Desirable criteria:
- IBMS Specialist portfolio in virology
- Experience of working at CL3
- Experience in leading and managing small teams and/or projects
Selection Process Details:
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience, and Technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 9 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- 1250 word supporting statement.
This should outline how your skills, experience and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.
Longlisting:In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
In this eventuality, those meeting all essential criteria will progress to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: If we receive a large number of applications an initial sift against the lead criteria will be carried out:
- HCPC registered as a Biomedical Scientist with minimum two years post registration experience
- Experience working in a diagnostic or reference virology laboratory
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1250. Please do not exceed 1250 words.
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
You will be invited to a single face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviours, technical skills, experience, and strengths will be tested at interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Making effective decisions (Lead behaviour)
- Communicating and influencing
- Working together
- Working at pace
Interview dates to be confirmed.
Location
This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Porton. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
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 Counter-terrorist Check.
If based at one of our labs, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is 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) 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.
Eligibility Criteria
External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Salary Information
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
