Job responsibilities
We are seeking an HCPC registered Senior Biomedical/Clinical Scientist (AfC Band 7) or a Senior Healthcare Scientist (SEO). Candidates holding HCPC registration will be appointed on NHS Terms & Conditions at NHS AfC Band 7. Candidates without HCPC registration will be appointed on Civil Service Terms and Conditions at SEO grade.
Safety
- To ensure health, safety and welfare are afforded priority.
- To be responsible for all aspects of health and safety and attend UKHSA Committees and Working Groups
- To extend the role outside of the Laboratory, by participation in local, regional and national committees or working groups as appropriate.
Quality/ Clinical Governance
- Ensure the maintenance of a high standard of work in accordance with departmental quality policy.
- Ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards.
- Contribute to developing and implementing quality programmes.
- To work closely with the clinical governance lead to ensure compliance with UKHSA and national guidelines including advisory and review group.
UKHSA Committees and Working Groups
- To extend the role outside of the Laboratory, by participation in local, regional and national committees or working groups as appropriate.
Other
- The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be requiredby the directorate.
- The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organization.
- It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required forauthorised purposes.
Professional Development
- You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.
- Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individualdevelopment plan. Attending internal / external training events.
- To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e., fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
Essential criteria:
- Post-graduate degree in an appropriate medical/microbiology/biological science discipline (or equivalent experience in this field).
- Relevant professional qualification i.e. registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical or Clinical Scientist (for AfC Ts and Cs)
- Significant practical and theoretical experience of molecular biology and pathogen genomics.
- Experience of working in multidisciplinary teams e.g. across wet lab, bioinformatics, quality etc.
- Experience of proactively networking internal and external to the organisation, across all sectors, academia, government and industry.
- Experience providing technical advice, scientific problem solving, R&D and applied sciences.
- Experience of interviewing and recruiting staff.
- Strong data analysis skills and experience. As well as the presentation/communicating complex data to a wide range of stakeholders both technical and non-technical.
- Understands the application of genomics for public health across virology and bacteriology.
- Experience of critically assessing current ways of working and introducing efficient and cost-effective practices.
- Communication skills - able to convey instructions, ideas and opinions clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Training and teaching skills - aptitude for developing staff skills and capabilities.
- Ability to analyse and evaluate evidence, e.g. in planning, problem-solving, decision making, negotiation and influencing skills.
- Able to effectively communicate complex concepts and information to staff and wider stakeholders.
- Good organisation skills with particular attention to detail.
- Able to deal with problems in a calm and efficient manner.
- Able to design and introduce improvements and manage change.
- Adept at problem solving though analysis of complex facts and situations to deliver solutions for strategic planning as well as practical problems in laboratoryworkflows and workloads.
- Financial management skills for short-, medium- and long-term planning and assessment
- Able to deputise as needed for the scientific lead, working with others and leading on task deliverables.
Desirable role criteria:
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
- Applied experience in bioinformatics methods for pathogen genomics, including hands-on use of pipelines and tools for sequence quality control, assemblyor mapping, variant calling, phylogenetic analysis, and interpretation of results in real-world public health or clinical contexts.
- Experience of Quality Systems, laboratory accreditation and compliance for clinical diagnostic laboratories.
Selection Process Details(Competency based)
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications,knowledgeand experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Competency Based
You willbe required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listedessential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
This should outline how you consider your skills, experienceand knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.
Longlisting:In the event ofa large number ofapplicationswe may longlist into 3 piles of:
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Meets all essential criteria
-
Meets some essential criteria
-
Meets no essential criteria
If used, the pile Meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting:In the event ofa large number ofapplications we may conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of (one or more essential criteria)
- Post-graduate degree in an appropriate medical/microbiology/biological science discipline (or equivalent experience)
- Significant practical and theoretical experience of molecular biology and pathogen genomics.
- Experience providing technical advice, scientific problem solving, R&D and applied sciences.
Desirable criteria may be used in the event ofa large number ofapplications/largeamountof successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Competency Based
You will be invited to a single face to face interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview
Interviews dates to be confirmed.
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 based at Colindale, London. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
Security Clearance Level RequirementSuccessful candidates must pass standard disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check. This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale, London. Based at our scientific campus, 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.
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. Salary Bands: SEO: £46,310 - £52,113 per annum, pro rata AfC Band 7: £49,387 - £56,515 (plus Outer HCAS) per annum, pro rata
