Job summary Applications are invited for the above post, which is based in the Microbiology, Public Health Laboratory in Birmingham is a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The microbiology laboratory and is in partnership with University Hospitals Birmingham Trust (UHB). The microbiology partnership provides comprehensive microbiology services and specialist services to Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield, Solihull Hospital, and general practitioners throughout the area. The department undertakes a wide range of routine and specialist microbiological and molecular investigations. The post is rotational and will involve working in Bacteriology, Serology and Molecular Virology, Molecular Bacteriology and Mycobacteriology.The Laboratory operates a 7-day working week and the 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. Main duties of the job The post holder will work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high-quality microbiology service in order to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment.Managing the efficient day-to-day running of a section of the laboratory, to be able to rotate through all the different sections in the laboratory and to oversee in the supervision and training of BMS or HSSW staff The post holder would be expected to assist in any UKHSA coordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. a Bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak This is a rotational post through all the sections of the laboratory including: General Bacteriology including respiratory and enterics Virology including Viral Serology, Molecular diagnostics for Bacteriology and Virology. Regional Centre for Mycobacteriology & Antiviral Susceptibility Testing services About us We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all. Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers Date posted 25 October 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working Reference number 919-CJ-300726-EXT Job locations Heartlands Hospital Birmingham B9 5SS Job description Job responsibilities To organise the day-to-day deployment of staff within each section To ensure reports are verified and are accurate and to authorise their issue To ensure that adequate consumable stocks are maintained for the section whilst minimising cost and wastage To prepare implement and maintain Standard Operating Procedures for each section and to ensure that these are followed To ensure that technical standards are maintained both internally and through the external quality assessment schemes To ensure continued maintenance of UKAS Accreditation Standards To ensure that UKHSA Laboratory Safety Policies are implemented and adhered to by all staff working in the department To co-ordinate the development and evaluation of new techniques and equipment Training, induction and education of HSSWs, Trainee BMS 5s, BMS 6s, Trainee Medical staff and visitors to the department To conduct annual appraisals for staff and participate in the setting of objectives and the monitoring of their development in conjunction with the Laboratory Manager. To support and develop the molecular bacteriology and virology strategy of the laboratory. To keep up to date with knowledge of microbiology diagnostic developments through proactive participation in CPD programmes. To participate in Weekend rosters, out of hours including ON and Bank Holiday work of the department (or at any other time) as and when required. Essential Criteria Please be aware that we will assess on the eight essential criteria stated on the advert rather than the full list on the job description document. Selection Process 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 the below listed eight essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a: Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) A 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 Please note that candidates in the Disability Confident Scheme will be shortlisted if you meet the minimum essential criteria. 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. Technical experience, abilities and strengths will be tested at interview. There will be a Presentation. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote 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 Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Location This role is based as lab working based at Birmingham (Heartland Hospital). 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. 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 andapplicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. Job description Job responsibilities To organise the day-to-day deployment of staff within each section To ensure reports are verified and are accurate and to authorise their issue To ensure that adequate consumable stocks are maintained for the section whilst minimising cost and wastage To prepare implement and maintain Standard Operating Procedures for each section and to ensure that these are followed To ensure that technical standards are maintained both internally and through the external quality assessment schemes To ensure continued maintenance of UKAS Accreditation Standards To ensure that UKHSA Laboratory Safety Policies are implemented and adhered to by all staff working in the department To co-ordinate the development and evaluation of new techniques and equipment Training, induction and education of HSSWs, Trainee BMS 5s, BMS 6s, Trainee Medical staff and visitors to the department To conduct annual appraisals for staff and participate in the setting of objectives and the monitoring of their development in conjunction with the Laboratory Manager. To support and develop the molecular bacteriology and virology strategy of the laboratory. To keep up to date with knowledge of microbiology diagnostic developments through proactive participation in CPD programmes. To participate in Weekend rosters, out of hours including ON and Bank Holiday work of the department (or at any other time) as and when required. Essential Criteria Please be aware that we will assess on the eight essential criteria stated on the advert rather than the full list on the job description document. Selection Process 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 the below listed eight essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a: Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) A 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 Please note that candidates in the Disability Confident Scheme will be shortlisted if you meet the minimum essential criteria. 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. Technical experience, abilities and strengths will be tested at interview. There will be a Presentation. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote 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 Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Location This role is based as lab working based at Birmingham (Heartland Hospital). 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. 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 andapplicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. Person Specification Qualifications Essential BSc Biomedical Science degree or equivalent academic achievement ratified by the IBMS Master of Science (MSc.) or equivalent qualification/experience Health Professions Council (HCPC) registered A minimum of 5 years' experience working in a diagnostic microbiology or virology laboratory Knoweldge and Experience Essential A minimum of 5 years' experience working in a diagnostic microbiology or virology laboratory Has an understanding of, UKAS standards, supporting R&D activities, Health & Safety, Data Protection and Information Governance legislation and National Standards Experience of using computerised data systems Skills/Capabilities/Behaviours Essential Ability to work effectively as part of a team Person Specification Qualifications Essential BSc Biomedical Science degree or equivalent academic achievement ratified by the IBMS Master of Science (MSc.) or equivalent qualification/experience Health Professions Council (HCPC) registered A minimum of 5 years' experience working in a diagnostic microbiology or virology laboratory Knoweldge and Experience Essential A minimum of 5 years' experience working in a diagnostic microbiology or virology laboratory Has an understanding of, UKAS standards, supporting R&D activities, Health & Safety, Data Protection and Information Governance legislation and National Standards Experience of using computerised data systems Skills/Capabilities/Behaviours Essential Ability to work effectively as part of a team 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). Additional information 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 Heartlands Hospital Birmingham B9 5SS Employer's website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)