Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To provide day to day technical management of the Containment Level 3 laboratories, the National Mycobacterial Reference Service (NMRS) - N&C and Enteric Laboratory, in an efficient and safe manner
• To assist in all aspects of the provision of a safe and efficient reference service for the detection, isolation, identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing of mycobacteria.
• To assist in the provision of epidemiological data for district, regional and national surveillance programmes. 
• To supervise the technical work of the NMRS (C&N) and Enterics laboratory and to organise staffing schedules and the training and rotation of staff.
• Review the performance and appropriateness of laboratory methods at regular intervals ensuring technical standards are maintained.
• In conjunction with the Head of Operations, provide a safe working environment for all Hazard Group 3 organisms.
• To facilitate and assist in the preparation and delivery of educational programmes for visiting workers.
• To communicate aspects of the work of the NMRS & Enterics at Scientific Meetings.
• To ensure reports are verified and accurate and to technically authorise completed reports.
• To bring to attention of the Laboratory Manager and Head of Operations any technical failures, erroneous or unusual findings.
• To monitor the performance of equipment and to liaise with representatives of laboratory suppliers.
• To assist in the development of the services of the NMRS (C&N) and Enteric laboratories in consultation with the Head of Operations and the Director of the NMRS (C&N).
• To give advice and guidance on technical matters to inquirers from clinical departments and other Laboratories throughout the region served by the NMRS (C&N).
• To participate fully in the teaching role of the NMRS (C&N) to plan action programmes for visiting researchers and students, to ensure that safe working practices are communicated to and applied by all visitors, and to deliver lectures and seminars as directed by the Director of the NMRS.

Safety and Security

• Nominated Health & Safety Officer for UKHSA Birmingham Public Health Laboratory.  To assist the Laboratory Manager and head of operations in ensuring the effective and appropriate management of all Health & Safety issues.
• Achieve and maintain NEBOSH certification.
• Ensure that UKHSA and Laboratory Safety Policies are implemented and adhered to by all staff working the department.
• Maintain a high level of expertise in the field of Health and Safety issues.
• Take local charge after an accident, breakage or spillage, and assume responsibility for control of decontamination and cleaning up.  To ensure that all such accidents and incidents are recorded in case they may at required at a later date.
• Contribute to implementation of UKHSA health and safety policies and procedures in maintaining a safe working environment
• Advise on the safe storage of pathogens of any hazard group and keep a list of them and a record of their issue outside the laboratory.
• To ensure a record is kept of cultures sent to reference laboratories and ensure reference laboratories acknowledge receipt of hazard group 3 pathogens promptly.
• Hold all safety documentation and be aware of all relevant publications pertaining to safety. 
• Ensure that staff have Competencies for Health and Safety
• Ensure that stocks of all poisonous and flammable chemicals are correctly labelled, are being kept in specified rooms and cupboards and locked if appropriate.
• To ensure that all infected material and dangerous chemicals are being disposed of safely.
• Ensure that protective clothing, including visors, eye shields, aprons, rubber boots/overshoes, masks and gloves are available, fit for use and are being worn when indicated.  To ensure that specified equipment is available for dealing with spillages.
• Ensure equipment such as exhaust protective cabinets, centrifuges, autoclaves, visible electrical wiring, gas points, etc. are operated in a safe manner.  To verify that operating instructions for centrifuges and autoclaves are displayed beside them and are being followed.  Ensure that action has been or is being taken on defects noted and reported during the previous month.
• Participate in production of COSHH and risk assessments for all new and existing work and ensuring that control measures are implemented.
• Ensure compliance with First aid, fire policies and waste disposal policies.
• Confer with other departmental heads and BMS to discuss problems of mutual interest and bring them, if necessary, to the notice of the Risk Management Committee.
• Ensure outside contractors (such as cleaning and domestic staff) are aware of what areas they are allowed to work in and about which areas they may clean and when they may not.
• Be accessible for consultation with and advise any safety representatives appointed within the laboratory under the Health and Safety at Work Act, etc. and participate where necessary in any committees where matters relevant to safety in the laboratory are under discussion.
• Ensure that any changes in Health and Safety practices are brought to the attention of the Head of Operations, laboratory Director and the laboratory risk management team.
• Organise health and safety training as appropriate
• Carry out audits to ensure UKHSA Health and Safety policy is being adhered to.
• To maintain risk register

This is not an exhaustive list.

Essential Criteria

• Biomedical Science (BMS) degree or equivalent academic achievement ratified by the IBMS. 
• State registration with Health Professions Council (HCPC). 
• MSc or equivalent in relevant subject. 
• Health and Safety qualification IOSHH or equivalent. 
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) in accordance with HCPC guidelines.  
• Understands quality assurance principles and procedures  
• Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures.  
• Relevant experience of working in a range of microbiology laboratories. 
• Aptitude for managing people and assessing performance, for motivating others, encouraging teamwork, delegating and get the best out of people. Planning own time and that of others effectively.  
• Ability to analyse data and present it in a meaningful way.  
• Evidence of using technical experience to assess new and existing systems and initiate change in laboratory practice.   
• Clear communicator and effective interpersonal skills. Articulate and clear thinking. Able to convey ideas and opinions clearly, concisely, orally and in writing.  
• Able to solve problems in a calm and efficient manner.  
• Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines.  
• An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust.  

Selection Process

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.  

Stage 1: Application & Sift  

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:  

• an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application) 
• a 1000 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.  

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.  

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 meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting. 
 
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Biomedical Science (BMS) degree or equivalent academic achievement ratified by the IBMS. 
• Health and Safety qualification IOSHH or equivalent. 

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

Please do not exceed 1000 words.  We will not consider any words over and above this number. 

Feedback will not be provided at this stage. 

Stage 2: 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.

Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview.

You will be required to prepare a 5 - 10 minute presentation as part of the interview. The topic of the presentation will be "How would you develop and implement an emergency response plan for a CL3 facility? Walk us through the key components you would focus on."

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location 

This role is lab based at UKHSA Birmingham, B9 5ST. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role.

Eligibility Criteria 

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).   

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 Terrorism Check clearance. 

 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.