Job responsibilities
Customer Relationships
- Respond to requests and communicate sensitive information and complex results accurately to customers, include interpretation and reporting written/verbal results.
Quality Management Systems
- Participate in activities necessary for maintenance and development of the Quality System in accordance with UKAS UK Accreditation Service requirements.
- Support labs accreditation to ISO 17025 and ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation/certification standards.
- Assist the Quality Manager to ensure good working practices and maintain a high standard of work especially to Internal Quality Control and External Quality Assessment schemes.
Asset Management
- Ensure efficient running and contribute to routine maintenance of all equipment, to include high cost, complex equipment requiring calibration and regular maintenance.
- Be responsible for maintenance of stocks of reagents and consumables, ensure they are received, stored, verified and used appropriately.
Management
- Take responsibility for supervision of day-to-day activities of the lab and general supervision of less experienced staff.
- Participate in the education and training of other FW&E staff within the lab, and individual performance reviews, Personal Development Plans and performance management and ensure the maintenance of training policies/procedures/records.
Strategy, Policy & Service Development
- Assist the Unit Head & Laboratory Manager in determining the long-term development of FW&E services.
- Support implementation of new methods and technologies into the lab, maximise quality and efficiency of testing.
- Support and participate in FW&E surveys/trials/research work/projects in collaboration with other senior staff of FWEMS network.
- Support appropriate income generation activities for the lab, in accordance with the National FWEMS objectives.
- Participate in periodic reviews of lab methods with respect to performance and relevance. This may include writing and/or revision of Standard Operating Procedures relevant to the area of work.
IT Infrastructure
- Be competent in the use of the labs IT systems and provide data to senior staff.
Security/Health and Safety
- Ensure confidentiality and conformity to requirements of the Data Protection Act, Caldicott principles and Laboratory Information Systems and Technology Security policy.
- Ensure attendance of self and managed staff on safety training courses in the UKHSA Health and Safety Training Policy and other safety policies as appropriate and agree to implement safety objectives ensuring a Lab/Office Safety Code is implemented.
- Ensure that risk assessments are implemented and maintained and report risks that cannot be controlled to Laboratory Manager.
- Notify accidents/near misses/dangerous situations/shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.
It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
You will perform other duties as directed by the Lead FW&E Microbiologist, Unit Head or Laboratory Manager within the framework of the job summary and you will need to be prepared to work flexibly across the entire FWEMS Network, maintaining appropriate levels of training as necessary.
The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.
Essential Criteria
- BSc (Hons) degree in relevant science subject e.g. Microbiology, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Biotechnology, Natural Sciences (this list is not exhaustive and other Science subjects may be relevant to the post) OR equivalent experience working in a lab and have extensive working knowledge of lab areas, including both practical and theoretical knowledge of various methods employed.
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of basic scientific principles relevant to microbiology.
- Analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issues.
- Competent in a wide range of laboratory procedures.
- Problem solve and respond to sudden unexpected demands.
- An independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Able to manipulate information.
- Work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision, working to tight and often changing timescales.
- Work in a busy environment.
- Demonstrate an ability to maintain confidentiality and trust.
- Work in a professional calm and efficient manner.
- Commit to continuing professional development.
- Values diversity and difference, operating with integrity and openness.
- 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.
- Understanding of quality management systems, especially in relation to UKAS Accreditation.
- Previous experience of supervising and/or training staff.
- Knowledge and understanding of lab safety requirements and procedures.
- Further training or significant experience in project management, financial management or supporting change management processes.
- Extensive working knowledge of lab areas, including both practical and theoretical knowledge of the various methods employed. Also, demonstrate a sound understanding of the basic scientific principles relevant to microbiology.
- Experience of automated testing systems.
- Development of special interest and expertise in one or more areas of the lab (e.g. quality, R&D, safety, training, IT).
Application & Sift
This vacancy is using Success Profiles.
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed Essential Criteria for this role, to include:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- A 1,000-word Statement of Suitability
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role.
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1,500, but your Statement of Suitabilitymust be no more than 1,000 words.
You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible.
Longlisting
If a large number of applications are received, we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
Only those that meets all essential criteria will progress to shortlisting.
Shortlisting
In the event of a large number of applications, we will shortlist against the lead criteria as follows:
- BSc (Hons) degree in relevant science subject e.g. Microbiology, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Biotechnology, Natural Sciences (this list is not exhaustive and other Science subjects may be relevant to the post) OR equivalent experience working in a lab and have extensive working knowledge of lab areas, including both practical and theoretical knowledge of the various methods employed.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.
Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Interview
You will be invited to a face-to-face interview.
If face-to-face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
This vacancy is being assessed using Success Profiles. During the interview, we will assess you against the below Behaviours:
- Leadership
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
- Managing a Quality Service
You will be asked to prepare and present a 510-minute presentation. The subject of this will be:
- Empowering Teams Through Effective Management
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 based at our Colindale Science Campus, London NW9 5EQ.
If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
All successful candidates must meet the basic security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is:
- Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)
DBS Requirement:
For this role you will also need to meet:
- Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)
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.
Please note: If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
