Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Southmead Hospital, Bristol, About the job Job summary The UKHSA Mycology Reference Laboratory in Bristol is one of the few reference laboratories that are situated outside the main reference facility currently housed at Colindale. The laboratory undertakes local diagnostic testing and national reference and referred tests across a varied panel, together these currently amount to more than 65,000 tests per year. The Mycology Reference Laboratory (MRL) provides a comprehensive national diagnostic and reference service to assist with the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and surveillance of fungal infection and antifungal drug resistance. This includes the isolation and identification of fungi from clinical material, serological, phenotypic, proteomic, molecular and biomarker tests, examination of histopathological sections, antifungal drug assays, in collaboration with the North Bristol Trust Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, and susceptibility tests. The MRL is also responsible for the provision of expert advice in the diagnosis, treatment and management of superficial and invasive fungal infection. The MRL is responsible for the UK National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi (NCPF). Together with the Quality Assurance Laboratory, the MRL is responsible for the UK National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS) for identification and susceptibility testing of fungi. The MRL conducts formal training courses in mycology as well as providing individual training to visitors from the UK and abroad. Job description Key Responsibilities Reception and clerical duties Receive specimens, and process requests in a timely manner. Receive deliveries and move them to appropriate location for storage. Responsible for the housekeeping and stock management of specimen reception. Participate in IQA/EQA schemes, as required. Prepare solutions and reagents for disinfecting the benches. Specialist Skills Triage referred moulds suspected to be HG3 for processing at CL3. Put up manual antifungal susceptibility tests for moulds and yeasts Perform checks on safety critical equipment Make specialist mycological culture media. Process serum samples for beta glucan testing and other specialist mycological investigations. Perform quality checks and daily maintenance of readers. Sub-culture yeasts and moulds on to a variety of specialist mycological media. Supervise and assist in the training of visitors to the laboratory. Laboratory housekeeping, clerical duties and other duties; Taking into account the operational requirements of the laboratory. These duties will be carried out under supervision and guided by standard operating procedures (SOPs), protocols, or systems of work based on training. Laboratory Duties Including receipt and booking in of specimens, entry of data onto the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), distribution of specimens to the laboratories, making up the disinfectant solutions and other media requirements. To deal with queries arising from specimens received and telephoning senders for more information. To keep any databases/spreadsheets/telephone forms/error logs, relevant to specimen reception, and dispatch, up to date and available for management reports and audit. Professional Development Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events To participate in all mandatory training as required, e.g. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training. Key Working Relationships The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description. Person specification Essential criteria Good standard of general education, including GCSEs or equivalent level of education (may include NVQ Level 2 in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities). Basic knowledge of health and safety and safe working practices Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and experience of using components of the package Understanding and experience of Data Protection legislation Excellent attention to detail and ability to work precisely and accurately at all times. Able to work as part of a team and to show willingness to help fellow team members and other staff Clear and concise communicator with good written and verbal skills Able to follow instructions written and oral Able to multi-task and work flexibly, using own initiative to change priorities at short notice and work to deadlines An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships Desirable criteria Previous laboratory experience Previous experience of using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) Well-developed physical skills, especially in the use of laboratory and/or office equipment Experience of training staff Careers website Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers Benefits Alongside your salary of £23,489, UK Health Security Agency contributes £6,804 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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 assessments You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on essential and desirable criteria, and this will be in the form of Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) a 1000-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. 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 Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on evidence of being a Clear and concise communicator with good written and verbal skills. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & 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 If successful you will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. The interview will take place at: UKHSA Mycology Reference Laboratory National Infection Services, UKHSA Southwest Laboratory Science Quarter Southmead Hospital Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview, A simple practical test will be used at 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. Selection Process 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. Eligibility Criteria Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). 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/ Location Please note hybrid working is not available for this role. UKHSA Mycology Reference Laboratory National Infection Services, UKHSA Southwest Laboratory Science Quarter Southmead Hospital Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. If based at one of our labs, 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. 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. Face to Face interviews As face-to-face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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 : Chris Williams 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/ Apply at advertiser's site Share this page Print Email Gmail Facebook LinkedIn