Job summary
This post is positioned within the Clinical Services Unit of the Public Health Microbiology Division of UKHSA.
Microbiology reference laboratories undertake complex and highly skilled techniques which often require nationally or internationally unique capabilities or facilities. Reference laboratories are required to provide authoritative, final and validated analysis for complex clinical or food microbiological problems and be innovative in driving microbiological methodology developments and standards. They have a key role in the provision of expert advice to government and other national and international agencies, risk assessment for new and emerging microbiological threats and play an important role in teaching and training organism specific and subject matter expertise to all grades of professional medical, nursing, scientific and technical staff. Design of national microbiological surveillance programmes and sampling strategies and outbreak detection and control are part of day to day work of reference laboratories.
Location
This role will be based at our 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5HT
Salary & Grade
Clinical ring Fence AfC Band 7 £46,836 - £52,849, including outer London HCAS, Per Annum
Main duties of the job
This post will support the development and application of diagnostic methods, both serological and molecular, for the detection and analysis of blood borne virus infections and the clinical authorization of diagnostic results for sexually transmitted and blood borne infections, mainly HIV, HTLV, syphilis and other organisms as required by the department.
About us
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
Technical/Scientific/Reference services/Research and Development
- Development and application of diagnostic methods, both serological and molecular, for the detection and analysis of blood bourne virus infections
- To contribute to the management and development of diagnostic services as above.
- To undertake clinical authorization of diagnostic results, mainly HIV, HTLV and syphilis, and other organisms as required by the department.
- This involves the interpretation, validation, authorisation and release of laboratory results that will not have been generated personally.
- To add technical and clinically relevant comments to reports and to inform requesters of clinically significant results in a timely fashion
- To help determine the reason for erroneous test results and recommend further action, in liaison with the CSU staff.
- To communicate and liaise with a broad range of customers, both in the course of providing services of a highly specialised nature which will contribute to patient management, and in giving advice and interpretation of results
- To establish and maintain collaborative links with scientists and clinicians within and outside the UKHSA, both nationally and internationally.
- Communicate the outcome of research and development work to the scientific community at local, national and international meetings and in papers offered for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
- To be responsible for maintaining a high standard of work.
Management of Staff
To ensure, with others, efficient and effective management of technical, scientific, support workers and clerical staff as appropriate in accordance with UKHSA policies and procedures, including:
- participating in the recruitment and selection of appropriate staff in conjunction with the Technical and Operations Managers.
- facilitating the induction, education, training and professional development of appropriate staff.
Financial management
- assist the Technical and Operations Manager in the maintenance and development of the laboratory service within the resources available.
- participate in the business management of the laboratory, in collaboration with the Technical and Operations Manager and the Clinical/Scientific Leads.
- participate in the Equipment Procurement Committee, if required
Quality / Governance
In collaboration with the Laboratory Quality and Safety Team, to:
- Maintain a high standard of work, and to work methodically so that service delivery is safe, effective and economical and follows best practice
- Follow standard operating procedures and protocols
- Ensure compliance with CPA, ISO 15189 and other accreditation and certification standards as appropriate
- Contribute to internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions
To contribute to departmental audits in areas related to governance.
- Assist in developing and implementing quality programmes.
- To provide assistance in project management for specific R&D projects within the laboratory.
- To maintain quality systems and keep abreast of changing EC regulations and directives to meet appropriate accreditation, UKHSA
- safety regulations and guidelines.
- Take every opportunity to suggest quality and safety improvements
Research and Development
- participate in and support research and development activities within the laboratory and Science Group.
- jointly be responsible, with relevant Unit Heads and Directors, for the introduction of new technologies, including molecular techniques, into the CSU.
- jointly evaluate and validate new commercial or in-house techniques relevant to the work of the laboratory
Information Technology
- To take active steps to ensure complete and accurate information is collected on MOLIS
- To extract and analyse data from databases to meet the specifications of colleagues in UKHSA and outside agencies e.g. Institute of Child Health.
- To extract and analyse data from databases to enable sample selection for research projects and for sample archiving
- To liaise with the VRD LIMS super users on the introduction of new assays to the laboratory.
- Contribute to the development of information technology systems and databases as required.
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 required by the directorate.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Technical/Scientific/Reference services/Research and Development
- Development and application of diagnostic methods, both serological and molecular, for the detection and analysis of blood bourne virus infections
- To contribute to the management and development of diagnostic services as above.
- To undertake clinical authorization of diagnostic results, mainly HIV, HTLV and syphilis, and other organisms as required by the department.
- This involves the interpretation, validation, authorisation and release of laboratory results that will not have been generated personally.
- To add technical and clinically relevant comments to reports and to inform requesters of clinically significant results in a timely fashion
- To help determine the reason for erroneous test results and recommend further action, in liaison with the CSU staff.
- To communicate and liaise with a broad range of customers, both in the course of providing services of a highly specialised nature which will contribute to patient management, and in giving advice and interpretation of results
- To establish and maintain collaborative links with scientists and clinicians within and outside the UKHSA, both nationally and internationally.
- Communicate the outcome of research and development work to the scientific community at local, national and international meetings and in papers offered for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
- To be responsible for maintaining a high standard of work.
Management of Staff
To ensure, with others, efficient and effective management of technical, scientific, support workers and clerical staff as appropriate in accordance with UKHSA policies and procedures, including:
- participating in the recruitment and selection of appropriate staff in conjunction with the Technical and Operations Managers.
- facilitating the induction, education, training and professional development of appropriate staff.
Financial management
- assist the Technical and Operations Manager in the maintenance and development of the laboratory service within the resources available.
- participate in the business management of the laboratory, in collaboration with the Technical and Operations Manager and the Clinical/Scientific Leads.
- participate in the Equipment Procurement Committee, if required
Quality / Governance
In collaboration with the Laboratory Quality and Safety Team, to:
- Maintain a high standard of work, and to work methodically so that service delivery is safe, effective and economical and follows best practice
- Follow standard operating procedures and protocols
- Ensure compliance with CPA, ISO 15189 and other accreditation and certification standards as appropriate
- Contribute to internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions
To contribute to departmental audits in areas related to governance.
- Assist in developing and implementing quality programmes.
- To provide assistance in project management for specific R&D projects within the laboratory.
- To maintain quality systems and keep abreast of changing EC regulations and directives to meet appropriate accreditation, UKHSA
- safety regulations and guidelines.
- Take every opportunity to suggest quality and safety improvements
Research and Development
- participate in and support research and development activities within the laboratory and Science Group.
- jointly be responsible, with relevant Unit Heads and Directors, for the introduction of new technologies, including molecular techniques, into the CSU.
- jointly evaluate and validate new commercial or in-house techniques relevant to the work of the laboratory
Information Technology
- To take active steps to ensure complete and accurate information is collected on MOLIS
- To extract and analyse data from databases to meet the specifications of colleagues in UKHSA and outside agencies e.g. Institute of Child Health.
- To extract and analyse data from databases to enable sample selection for research projects and for sample archiving
- To liaise with the VRD LIMS super users on the introduction of new assays to the laboratory.
- Contribute to the development of information technology systems and databases as required.
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 required by the directorate.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Postgraduate degree in Molecular Biology / Virology / Biochemistry
- Health Professions Council Registration as a Clinical Scientist (or on target to be achieved within six months of appointment) or Biomedical Scientist with eligibility to undertake Clinical Scientist equivalency
Desirable
- PhD in Molecular Biology / Virology / Biochemistry
Knowledge and experience
Essential
Desirable
- Experience of protein purification, ELISA and Western Blotting techniques.
- Experience of sequencing.
- Experience of laboratory safety requirements and procedures and quality system management.
Skills / capabilities/ behaviours
Essential
- Good communicator and team worker, understands the importance of good relationships with staff and customers
- Confident in presentation of ideas and information.
- Decisive with excellent analytical skills.
- Leadership skills.
- Able to organise oneself and others.
Desirable
- Familiarity with database management.
- Familiarity with Excel, PowerPoint and Access.
- Able to work to tight deadlines.
Other
Essential
- Interest in Serology
- Highly motivated and able to self-determine.
- Reliable and conscientious.
- Attention to detail.
- Ambitious with potential for team leadership.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Postgraduate degree in Molecular Biology / Virology / Biochemistry
- Health Professions Council Registration as a Clinical Scientist (or on target to be achieved within six months of appointment) or Biomedical Scientist with eligibility to undertake Clinical Scientist equivalency
Desirable
- PhD in Molecular Biology / Virology / Biochemistry
Knowledge and experience
Essential
Desirable
- Experience of protein purification, ELISA and Western Blotting techniques.
- Experience of sequencing.
- Experience of laboratory safety requirements and procedures and quality system management.
Skills / capabilities/ behaviours
Essential
- Good communicator and team worker, understands the importance of good relationships with staff and customers
- Confident in presentation of ideas and information.
- Decisive with excellent analytical skills.
- Leadership skills.
- Able to organise oneself and others.
Desirable
- Familiarity with database management.
- Familiarity with Excel, PowerPoint and Access.
- Able to work to tight deadlines.
Other
Essential
- Interest in Serology
- Highly motivated and able to self-determine.
- Reliable and conscientious.
- Attention to detail.
- Ambitious with potential for team leadership.
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).
