Job summary
Salary & Grade: AfC Band 6 £35,392- £42,618
Location: UKHSA Leeds, Old Medical School, Leeds LS1 3EX
As the Biomedical Scientist you will work as part of the UKHSA employed team based in the Leeds Regional Laboratory, providing microbiology support for the laboratory based CDRN surveillance activities. The Leeds Regional Laboratory is the national laboratory for the Clostridium difficile Ribotyping Network (CDRN) in England. UKHSA is currently implementing a plan to introduce new technologies and services, such as Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to the Clostridium difficile services it currently provides. This role will support the Lead Scientist in the CDRN unit in delivering this plan.
You will be required to support the emergency response capability of the Leeds Laboratory should this be required and also to work with colleagues to provide a laboratory liaison service to the Yorkshire & Humber Health Protection teams.
Location
This will be a lab-based role located at UKHSA Leeds, Old Medical School, Leeds LS1 3EX.
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Working Pattern - Full Time, Part Time, Job Share UKHSA services delivered by the Leeds Regional Laboratory are normally only provided within core office hours (Monday-Friday 8.30am - 5pm). You will not usually be required to work outside of these hours.
Main duties of the job
Responsibilities section:
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- To work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high-quality Clostridium difficile ribotyping service to provide patients and clinicians with the highest level of diagnosis, treatment and surveillance.
- To assist the Lead Scientist in the development and transition to a WGS service for CDRN
- To provide expert technical support for the specialist work undertaken within the laboratory
- To assist in any UKHSA coordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g., a Bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak
- To participate in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities and assist the department in maintaining ISO 15189 accreditation from UKAS (UK Accreditation Service).
- To participate in the provision of out-of-hours services should these be required
- To provide support for any PH initiatives undertaken in Leeds UKHSA
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. For the full list of responsibilities and duties, please see the full job description.
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.
For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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 average employer contribution of 27%
- Range of health and wellbeing support
Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK
Job description
Job responsibilities
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 INTERVIEW
This competition will involve an interview either by video or face to face.
Please note that you may be asked to undertake a test or presentation at interview.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 16th August 2023 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Shortlist: W/C 23rd August 2023
Interviews: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 INTERVIEW
This competition will involve an interview either by video or face to face.
Please note that you may be asked to undertake a test or presentation at interview.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 16th August 2023 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Shortlist: W/C 23rd August 2023
Interviews: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Educated to degree level in an appropriate medical / microbiological/biological science or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area e.g. molecular biology
- Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Biomedical Scientist
- Experience of diagnostic molecular biology testing, molecular methods including real time PCR and sequencing
- Recent experience in a diagnostic, reference virology laboratory or genomics laboratory
- Good record keeping, attention to detail
- Experience of working in a regulated environment with quality systems and knowledge of UKAS/ISO
- Experience of using computerised data systems
Desirable
- MSc or higher qualification in an appropriate medical / microbiological/biological science
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Educated to degree level in an appropriate medical / microbiological/biological science or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area e.g. molecular biology
- Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Biomedical Scientist
- Experience of diagnostic molecular biology testing, molecular methods including real time PCR and sequencing
- Recent experience in a diagnostic, reference virology laboratory or genomics laboratory
- Good record keeping, attention to detail
- Experience of working in a regulated environment with quality systems and knowledge of UKAS/ISO
- Experience of using computerised data systems
Desirable
- MSc or higher qualification in an appropriate medical / microbiological/biological science
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.
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.
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).
