Job responsibilities
In addition to the main duties and responsibilities, the post holder responsibilities will also extend to the following areas:
HEALTH & SAFETY
In collaboration with the Laboratory Safety Officer and complying with safety policies and procedures to:
- Ensure that health, safety and welfare is an afforded priority over other issues and to demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare regarding self, staff and visitors
- Work in a safe manner
- Report all accidents and incidents or near misses, dangerous situations or shortcomings in health and safety training instructions
- Participate in the internal and external safety audits, as required.
- Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co-operate with the HPA on any matters of health and safety.
RISK MANAGEMENT
To assist the Laboratory Manager in ensuring that appropriate risk management controls are implemented and maintained with the area of responsibility, and that new risks are identified and raised as appropriate.
STAFF MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING
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:
- Participate in the recruitment and selection of appropriate staff in conjunction with the Laboratory manager and other senior staff.
- Facilitate the induction, education, training and professional development of scientific and medical staff and other visiting workers to NMRSS.
- Ensure the required availability and welfare of staff as indicated above.
- Conduct staff appraisals and individual performance review.
- Assist with the organisation of, and participation in, suitable training programmes for staff and visitors, ensuring that all staff competency is assessed as often as required.
SUPPORT SERVICES & EQUIPMENT
- Have shared responsibility for the acquisition, control and utilisation of stock and consumables.
- 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
QUALITY / GOVERNANCE
- Ensure that all Services comply with UKAS and other accreditation standards in collaboration with the Laboratory Manager and Quality Manager.
- Ensure that internal and external quality assurance programmes take place and develop and respond to changes where necessary.
- 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.
- Be responsible for preparing and maintaining relevant methodologies, SOPs and risk assessments.
- Ensure the notification of adverse incidents on Trackwise and take responsibility for the investigation and resolution of incidents were appropriate.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
- Participate in and support research and development activities within the laboratory.
- Jointly be responsible, with the Laboratory Manager and other senior staff for the introduction of new technologies, including new diagnostic methods.
- Evaluate and validate new commercial or in-house techniques relevant to the work of the laboratory.
- Participate in relevant research projects, analyse results and present data.
- Assist in the preparation of grant applications and other funding opportunities for NMRSS
Please see attached Job Description for additional responsibilities
Essential Criteria:
- HCPC State registration as a Clinical Scientist (or a demonstrable plan to achieve registration within 6 months) and maintains professional competence.
- BSc in biomedical sciences (or equivalent qualification) and a post graduate degree in a relevant science with evidence of continued professional development.
- Commitment to and focused on quality, promotes high standards in all they do.
- Able to make a connection between their work and the benefit to patients and the public. Consistently thinks about how their work can help and support clinicians and frontline staff deliver better outcomes for patients.
- Collaborative approach. Works well with others, is positive and helpful, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others.
- Consistently looks to improve what they do, looks for successful tried and tested ways of working, and seeks out innovation. Actively develops themselves and supports others to do the same.
- Ability to interpret diagnostic laboratory results and to undertake technical authorisation of results for clinical use.
- Comprehensive Microbiology Techniques.
- Command of written and spoken English.
- Evidence of using technical experience to assess new and existing systems and processes to innovate and initiate change in laboratory practice. Experience of setting up and implementing internal processes and procedures.
- IT skills including Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Ability to prioritise work in a timely manner. Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.
- Values diversity and difference, operates with integrity and openness.
Desirable Criteria:
- Evidence of managerial training/advanced technical expertise.
- Understanding of the public sector.
- Demonstrated experience in a Healthcare environment.
- Experience working in Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratories.
- Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required.
- Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders.
Selection Process Details:
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge, experience, skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Competency-based
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 14 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- 750 word supporting statement.
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 supporting statement 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
The pile meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on lead criteria of:
- Evidence of using technical experience to assess new and existing systems and processes to innovate and initiate change in laboratory practice. Experience of setting up and implementing internal processes and procedures.
- Ability to interpret diagnostic laboratory results and to undertake technical authorisation of results for clinical use.
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessmentPlease do not exceed 750 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.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
You will be asked to prepare and present a 10 minute presentation at the start of your interview. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview.
Interviews dates to be confirmed.
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.
This role is based at Colindale. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
Eligibility CriteriaExternal- open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Location
This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale.
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.
If based at one of our scientific campuses, 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.
Face to Face interviews
In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
