Job summary
- Main area
- Science
- Grade
- AfC Band 5/6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- UKHSA01502
- Employer
- UK Health Security Agency
- Employer type
- Public (Non NHS)
- Site
- UKHSA Severn Pathology
- Town
- Bristol
- Salary
- £28,407 - £42,618 (Salary is dependant on experience)
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 09/05/2024 23:59
Employer heading
Job title Biomedical Scientist Band 5/6 - Bacteriology
AfC Band 5/6
Job overview
Location: Severn Pathology, Bristol, BS10 5NB
Salary: AfC Band 5 / 6 £28,407 - £42,618 (Depending on experience)
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join one of the largest microbiology departments in England as a Band 5 Biomedical Scientist / Band 6 Specialist Biomedical Scientist. It has a friendly atmosphere with good team spirit and offers the opportunity for you to develop personally and professionally.
The department is a designated IBMS training laboratory, has an extensive quality system in operation and is fully accredited by UKAS. We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated HCPC registered BMS with post-registration experience and understanding in clinical Microbiology.
Location
This is a lab-based role that will be located at Severn Pathology, Bristol, BS10 5NB.
The department requires staff to support the department in delivering a comprehensive Microbiology service over 7 days. To achieve this it is possible that you will be required to work within a rotational shift pattern which will include shifts throughout the departments 24 hours a day / 7 days per week out of hours service.
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Main duties of the job
Experience of using automated and manual molecular analysers and knowledge of the methodologies and techniques involved would be desirable. The post holder will work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high level of microbiological analysis in order to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment.
The microbiology partnership provides comprehensive routine services and specialist services to a wide range of hospitals across the South West and beyond and also assists in any UKHSA co-ordinated responses or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. Bioterrorism incident or major disease e.g enteric outbreaks, COVID-19, SARS.
The department employs around 120 staff and has a workload in excess of 1 million specimens covering major clinical specialties including respiratory medicine, transplantation, burns, renal medicine, urology & paediatrics.
The department requires staff to support the department in delivering a comprehensive Microbiology service over 7 days. To achieve this it is possible that you will be required to work within a rotational shift pattern which will include shifts throughout the departments 24 hours a day / 7 days per week out of hours service.
Working for our organisation
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- Evidence of previous supervision, health and safety and quality systems is essential as you will be responsible for supervising of junior staff in the department.
- Candidates will be encouraged to take a role in the development of training plans for all grades of staff as candidates will be expected to assist in the delivery of departmental training plans and competency assessment.
- The candidate will have played a role in the registration of trainee Biomedical Scientists with experience of completing the IBMS portfolio for registration. Opportunities for CPD are actively encouraged and supported. You should be a good team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
- Participate in audit processes, drug trials, research projects, as required.
- Participate in and monitor Quality Assurance and Quality Control, activities and assist the department in maintaining UKAS accreditation.
- To attend regular departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication with the department management.
- Ensure that personal work activity is managed to make effective use of time and maintain an adequate supply of laboratory consumables.
- Assist with the development of new methods and implementation of new technology
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.
Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.
Person specification
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:
Essential criteria:
- Demonstrate extensive post-registration experience in Bacteriology. This experience will not normally be gained until at least two years of working on rotation in the various sections as a BMS Practitioner with the completion of a training portfolio
- Completion of an IBMS Specialist Portfolio or equivalent experience required for employment at Band 6
- HCPC registered
- Competency on all laboratory benches
- Ability to work unsupervised in all areas of a bacteriology laboratory
- A good understanding of basic theoretical and practical microbiology
- Technically adept at relevant laboratory procedures
- To continue the learning process through academic or practical experience
- Able to train less qualified or experienced staff
- Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
- Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence.
- Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate course of action to address the issues
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- Attention to detail and accuracy combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis
Benefits
For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Range of health and wellbeing support
Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Stage 1 – Application and sift:
You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
Stage 2 – Interview:
This competition will involve an interview either by video or face to face.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
Please be aware that you may be asked to undertake a test or presentation at interview.
Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 9th May 2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Interviews: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
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 Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.
For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Please Note
This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.
Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Complaint process
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstrate extensive post-registration experience in Bacteriology. This experience will not normally be gained until at least two years of working on rotation in the various sections as a BMS Practitioner with the completion of a training portfolio
- Completion of an IBMS Specialist Portfolio or equivalent experience required for employment at Band 6
- HCPC registered
- Competency on all laboratory benches
- Ability to work unsupervised in all areas of a bacteriology laboratory
- A good understanding of basic theoretical and practical microbiology
- Technically adept at relevant laboratory procedures
- To continue the learning process through academic or practical experience
- Able to train less qualified or experienced staff
- Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
- Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence.
- Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate course of action to address the issues
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- Attention to detail and accuracy combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Jon Payne
- Job title
- Lead RPO Recruiter
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 03301921580
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