Job summary
Salary & Grade: AfC Band 7 (outer) £46,836 - £52,849
Location: UKHSA Colindale, NW9 5EQ
The National Mycobacterium Reference Service-South (NMRS-South) is a UKHSA National Reference Centre for Tuberculosis and Mycobacteriology. It provides a regional reference centre for London and Southern England and also receives primary samples from several NHS hospitals in the London area. The NMRS-South is part of the UKHSA National Infection Service and is located in Colindale. At an international level the NMRS-South is a WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory within the Global Programme on Drug Resistance in Tuberculosis and works with other designated National Reference Centres. In addition to its reference, diagnostic and clinical activities, the NMRS-South carries out research projects in the UK, Europe and Africa.
Main duties of the job
You will take a leading role in the maintenance and provision of reference services and research across the NMRS-South. You will be an HCPC registered Clinical Scientist and will act as a lead specialist whose role is to help deliver a reference and medical laboratory service to achieve the objectives of efficient and effective patient care and resource management for the users of this specialist reference laboratory.
This includes working exclusively with Mycobacteria spp., including those in Hazard Group 3, in a containment level III environment. The post-holder will supervise non and state registered scientists and support staff in that section while acting as part of the team by being involved in performing the tests being carried out. You will also be expected to train other professional groups such as junior medical staff.
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- Be responsible with the Laboratory Manger, Leads and other senior staff for maintaining a high standard of work.
- Ensure the provision of an efficient, effective, and timely service ensuring maximum efficiency within allocated resources.
- To provide scientific oversight and ensure provision of the national reference services for the diagnostic and characterisation of Mycobacteria.
- Take a leading role in the validation of new assays within NMRSS for implementation into routine service.
- Review diagnostic tests as well as further development and validation of molecular services for relevant bacterial pathogens across NMRSS.
- Support research within NMRSS.
- Develop and evaluate novel molecular and genomic approaches for the characterisation of Mycobacteria and the application of molecular technologies to determine the pathogenesis and evolution of virulence in bacteria relevant to the Sections within NMRSS.
- Validate and authorise reports as required.
- Collate/present data for discussion.
- Write and publish papers and present results where appropriate, both nationally and internationally.
- In collaboration with the Laboratory Manager, assist in the acquisition of agreed equipment purchases and ensuring maintenance of equipment.
- Contribute towards the development and maintenance of the MOLIS LIMS
- Ensure that all Services comply with UKAS and other accreditation standards in collaboration with the Laboratory Manager and Quality Manager.
- Take part in the identification and implementation of ongoing quality improvements.
- Ensure the continual development and compliance of internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions.
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.
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
The selection process will consist of a face-to-face interview and a short presentation.
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 8th December 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.
Interviews: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- Be responsible with the Laboratory Manger, Leads and other senior staff for maintaining a high standard of work.
- Ensure the provision of an efficient, effective, and timely service ensuring maximum efficiency within allocated resources.
- To provide scientific oversight and ensure provision of the national reference services for the diagnostic and characterisation of Mycobacteria.
- Take a leading role in the validation of new assays within NMRSS for implementation into routine service.
- Review diagnostic tests as well as further development and validation of molecular services for relevant bacterial pathogens across NMRSS.
- Support research within NMRSS.
- Develop and evaluate novel molecular and genomic approaches for the characterisation of Mycobacteria and the application of molecular technologies to determine the pathogenesis and evolution of virulence in bacteria relevant to the Sections within NMRSS.
- Validate and authorise reports as required.
- Collate/present data for discussion.
- Write and publish papers and present results where appropriate, both nationally and internationally.
- In collaboration with the Laboratory Manager, assist in the acquisition of agreed equipment purchases and ensuring maintenance of equipment.
- Contribute towards the development and maintenance of the MOLIS LIMS
- Ensure that all Services comply with UKAS and other accreditation standards in collaboration with the Laboratory Manager and Quality Manager.
- Take part in the identification and implementation of ongoing quality improvements.
- Ensure the continual development and compliance of internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions.
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.
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
The selection process will consist of a face-to-face interview and a short presentation.
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 8th December 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.
Interviews: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in biomedical sciences or equivalent
- HCPC State registration as a Clinical Scientist (or a demonstrable plan to achieve registration within 6 months) and maintains professional competence
- A post graduate degree in a relevant science or Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences
Experience
Essential
- Training and supervising a team
- Working as a member of a team
- Fully conversant of working in a regulated environment with quality systems and knowledge of UKAS
- Fully conversant with CPA / ISO 15189 Quality standards
- Ability to undertake technical validation of results
- Comprehensive Microbiology Techniques
- Ability to interpret diagnostic laboratory results.
Desirable
- Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required
- Demonstrated experience in a Healthcare environment
- Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders
- Understanding of the public sector
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in biomedical sciences or equivalent
- HCPC State registration as a Clinical Scientist (or a demonstrable plan to achieve registration within 6 months) and maintains professional competence
- A post graduate degree in a relevant science or Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences
Experience
Essential
- Training and supervising a team
- Working as a member of a team
- Fully conversant of working in a regulated environment with quality systems and knowledge of UKAS
- Fully conversant with CPA / ISO 15189 Quality standards
- Ability to undertake technical validation of results
- Comprehensive Microbiology Techniques
- Ability to interpret diagnostic laboratory results.
Desirable
- Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required
- Demonstrated experience in a Healthcare environment
- Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders
- Understanding of the public sector
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).
