Job responsibilities
Communication and key working relationships
The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:
Internal
- Required to liaise with other technical, scientific and administrative staff in UK NEQAS and across EQA Services
- Plan daily work activities with supervisor
External
- Other colleagues in UKHSA
Professional Development
You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.
- To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
- Develop and maintain good working relationships with staff.
Personal & People Development
- Actively participate in annual performance and development review
- Actively participate and maintain a continuing professional development programme and be aware of relevant developments in their field
- Develop professional/management expertise by undertaking further appropriate training as required
- Ensure the induction, education, training and professional development of staff.
Service Improvement
- Work with other staff to improve working practices
Health, Safety & Security
In collaboration with the Laboratory Safety Officer, and complying with UKHSA safety policies and procedures:
- Ensure that health, safety and welfare is an afforded priority over other issues and demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare regarding self, staff and visitors.
- Work in a safe manner.
- Report/notify all accidents and incidents or near misses, dangerous situations or shortcomings in health and safety training instructions via the appropriate management structure.
- Participate in the internal and external safety audits, as required.
- Comply with safety policies, procedures, COSHH and risk assessments.
- Co-operate on matters of health and safety to enable UKHSA to comply with its health and safety responsibilities
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 UKHSA on any matters of health and safety.
Quality
In collaboration with the Quality Team:
- Maintain a high standard of work and contribute to developing the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe, effective and economical and follows best practice.
- Contribute to internal and external quality assurance programmes.
- Ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards.
- Contribute to internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions.
- Take every effort to suggest quality improvements
Information & Knowledge
- Interpret and enter participants data into computer database
Procurement & Commissioning
- To maintain stores including, stock control and receiving goods in the department
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.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
The work of the department is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
Essential criteria:
- BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent level qualification
- Experience of Quality Management systems
- Experience and understanding of laboratory safety and procedures
- Management of time able to plan and use own time economically and effectively
- Ability to work with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales
- Able to identify and solve practical problems
- Able to communicate with staff at all levels, both written and oral
- Hard working, motivated and interested in their work
- Good attention to detail
- Able to work to written procedures
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable criteria:
- HCPC registration
- Clinical diagnostic Parasitology laboratory experience
- Experience of freeze-drying
Selection Process detail
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours andExperience.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success profiles
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 11 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 1500 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
Only those that Meet all essential criteria will be taken through to Shortlisting.
Shortlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following essential criteria:
Experience of Quality Management systems 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 & assessment
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Success profiles
You will be invited to a face-to-face interview at the Halo Building, London. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviourswill be tested at interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Managing a quality service (Lead behaviour)
- Seeing the bigger picture
- Making effective decisions
- Communicating and influencing
- Working together
Interviews dates are yet 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.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Laboratory in London - The Halo Building, WC2H 9AX.
We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month).
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. 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.
