Senior Biomedical Scientist

Job description

Job responsibilities

In accordance with UKHSA and Laboratory policies and procedures and under supervision of qualified staff, they will be responsible for:

• Maintaining professional competence and be aware of relevant developments in Virology and other biomedical science.
• Ensuring that the provision of an efficient, effective and timely Virology service is maintained.
• Managing the Introduction, maintenance and improvement of methodologies and innovations within the Virology department.
• Reviewing the performance and appropriateness of laboratory methods at regular intervals ensuring technical standards are maintained.
• Notifying any adverse incidents via the relevant procedure.
• Advising staff regarding technical difficulties.
• Validating and authorising reports as required.
• Receiving and processing of samples requiring legal chain of evidence documentation.
• Leading in the evaluation and assessment of new equipment and consumable items in the department.
• Leading in the assessment and validation of new diagnostic kits in the department.
• Participating in the management of staff rotation.
• Participating as a member of the Virology Operational Group.
• Actively participating in the production, reviewing and updating of Examination Procedures.
• Participating in and supporting the R&D activities within the laboratory and the UKHSA.

Essential Criteria

• State registration with HCPC.
• Post graduate qualification in Virology / biomedical science.
• Significant experience of working in a clinical virology laboratory.
• Aptitude for managing people and assessing performance.
• Evidence of in depth technical and theoretical knowledge of molecular techniques.
• Evidence of the ability to manage new work flows into routine testing.
• Able to criticise constructively, to introduce improvements and to manage change.
• Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium, and long-term timeframes and adjust plans when necessary.
• Demonstrated capabilities to make informed decisions.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of respiratory virus testing

Selection Process

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience, and skills and abilities as outlined in the Essential Criteria.

At the sift stage you will be assessed against the Essential Criteria listed in this job advert.

Application & Sift - Competency Based

You will be required to complete an:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1500 word Statement of Suitability

The Statement of Suitability should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role based on the listed Essential Criteria in this job advert.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and Statement of Suitability. The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV please be advised you will not be able to directly send or upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, and therefore your Statement of Suitability must be no more than 1500 words.

Longlisting

In the event of a large number of applications, we may longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all Essential Criteria
• Meets some Essential Criteria
• Meets no Essential Criteria

We will only take through candidates who meet all Essential Criteria.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applicants we may conduct an initial sift against the Essential Criteria of:

• Significant experience of working in a clinical virology laboratory

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview

You will be invited to a face-to-face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Interview location and dates to be confirmed.

During the interview we will assess your knowledge, experience, skills and abilities.

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).

Salary

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.

NHS Pension

This role is offered under Agenda for Change (AFC) Terms and Conditions.

• If you are already on AFC T&Cs or accept the role on a fixed-term contract, you will be enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme or keep your current AFC Pension.
• If you take the role on a loan or temporary promotion, you will retain your existing substantive T&Cs.
• If the role is available under either AFC or Civil Service T&Cs depending on your registration, your pension scheme will align accordingly.

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our site in Manchester - Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL.

Please note, hybrid working is not available for this role.

As you will be lab based, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum.

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 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.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Essential

• Application form and supporting statement

Essential Criteria

Essential

• Questions on knowledge, experience, skills and abilities

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Lab

Oxford Road

Manchester

M13 9WL

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)