Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Colindale About the job Job summary We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly skilled Healthcare Scientist to join our busy Clinical Services Unit. The Unit delivers high throughput serological and molecular testing of a wide range of Viral and Bacterial pathogens. Our work is wide ranging and varied. The unit delivers a range of specialist testing and supports the microbiology reference laboratories which provide clinical microbiological advice and diagnosis, complex reference services, methodology development, microbial epidemiology, investigation of national and uncommon outbreaks, response to international health alerts, and advice on the risks posed by various infections. The post holder will be a Healthcare Scientist with extensive experience of both manual and automated serological and molecular techniques and will join a team within the Clinical Services Unit. You will support the team to ensure it delivers a performance that meets the clinical and scientific requirements of the Unit and complies with the best quality and laboratory practices while ensuring the work is performed safely, economically, and effectively. Job description Delivering technical and related services which meet the clinical and scientific requirements, comply with the best laboratory practices and are safe, economical and effective. Working with colleagues across UKHSA to foster close collaborative working between the Clinical Services Unit and Research and Development Groups to improve service provision. Supporting the provision of an efficient, effective and timely service ensuring maximum efficiency within allocated resources. Assisting the validation of patient results ensuring assays reach quality control criteria and appropriate interpretations are made prior to medical sign off. Supporting the use of automation of Serological and Molecular services. Supporting the training of junior staff. Being proactive in suggesting operational improvements within CSU and supporting operational improvement initiatives. Deputising for senior staff in the Unit as required and where appropriate. Developing yourself and your team to support the work of CSU and to support national laboratory emergency response For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description. Person specification Essential Criteria BSc in Biological sciences or equivalent. Maintains professional competence in biomedical sciences. Experience with quality assurance principles and procedures. Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures. Experience of working in a microbiological/molecular diagnostic (preferably virological) laboratory, or equivalent. Experience of supervision and training of technical staff. Able to work carefully, with precision and be able to balance laboratory duties with accurate record keeping. Computer literate, ability to analyse data, create reports, and present findings to others. Ability to work individually and as part of a team Professional in dealing with external laboratories and other contacts to facilitate receipt of clinical samples and highly sensitive clinical information. Able to convey ideas and opinions clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. High level of motivation and commitment to high standards. Able to analyse and evaluate data based on evidence. Ability to troubleshoot both laboratory-based and project-based problems effectively. Able to deal with problems in a calm and efficient manner. Able to work to prioritise workload, work to deadlines and remain focussed. Desirable criteria Experience of liaising with customers. Experience of using automated analysers Evidence of using technical experience to assess new and existing systems and processes to innovate and initiate change in laboratory Evidence of negotiating skills. Evidence of wider interest in public health/research. 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 employer contribution of 28.97% Things you need to know 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 Competency-based assessment You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed essential and desirable criteria, and this will be in the form of a: Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 1000 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. The Application form and Statement of Suitability 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 We will take through the following piles to shortlisting: Meets all essential criteria Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following: BSc in Biological sciences or Biomedical Science, Biological Science, Life Sciences, Biochemistry, Molecular Science/Biology. Experience with quality assurance principles and procedures. Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures. Experience of working in a microbiological/molecular diagnostic (preferably virological) laboratory, or equivalent. Able to work carefully, with precision and be able to balance laboratory duties with accurate record keeping Ability to work individually and as part of a team. High level of motivation and commitment to high standards Able to analyse and evaluate data based on evidence. Able to work to prioritise workload, work to deadlines and remain focussed. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview (competency based) You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at the UKHSA Colindale. Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview. Interviews will be held week commencing 6th or 13th January 2025. 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. Eligibility Criteria - External Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Location This role is based at Colindale. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role. Reasonable Adjustments The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should: Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs. You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/ 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. Successful candidates will require Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) as a minimum with willingness and capability to work towards Counter Terrorism Check (CTC). International Police check: If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own. Careers website: Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Gurkamal Email : Recruitmentukhsa.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : Recruitmentukhsa.gov.uk Further information The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaintsukhsa.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/ Attachments Job description Opens in new window (docx, 40kB) Apply at advertiser's site Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail