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Job summary

Main area
Biomedical Science
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
UKHSA01482
Employer
UK Health Security Agency
Employer type
Public (Non NHS)
Site
Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Town
Cambridge
Salary
£43,742 - £50,056 AfC Band 7
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
17/05/2024 23:59

Employer heading

UK Health Security Agency logo

Biomedical Scientist Team Manager

NHS AfC: Band 7

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:

  • Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
  • Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
  • Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
  • Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
  • Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.

Job overview

The Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge provides services to Addenbrooke’s, Royal Papworth, and the E&N Herts Hospitals, as well as other NHS Laboratories in the surrounding district. The laboratory is committed to active research and epidemiological interests, and works to UKAS ISO 15189 standards. It also has strong teaching interests.

Addenbrooke’s Hospital, located on the outskirts of the university city of Cambridge, is one of the top hospitals in the UK and a thriving NHS Foundation Trust. It is closely associated with leading educational providers including the University of Cambridge, and is a major centre for biomedical research and education.

You will be responsible for supervising bench work of a team within the laboratory, which includes processing of microbiological specimens and related tasks such as isolation, identification, interpretation and reporting of results in accordance with agreed policies and standard operating procedures. As a member of the middle management team, you will take a specialised lead role at senior BMS level within the department. This may include quality, health and safety, IT, CL3, training, or expertise in a specialized area of microbiology such as mycology or parasitology.

Main duties of the job

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities, and duties:

  • Advising staff regarding technical difficulties.
  •  Participating in implementing and suggesting changes to
    work practices and procedures.
  •  Selection of appropriate test profiles for samples
    received according to agreed protocols.
  • Analysis of cultures, determination of antibiotic
    susceptibility and biomedical identification of micro-
    organisms.
  •  Performance of immunological and other assays to
    investigate microbial infection and management of
    therapeutic agents.
  • Screening and interpreting test results (including those
    from regional specialties within the hospitals served)
    and communicating findings to senior colleagues and
    medical microbiology staff.
  • Technical validation of reports for clinical authorisation.
  • Under strict protocols authorisation of reports for release
    to other departments, wards, general practitioners, and
    other customers.
  •  Participating in provision of out of hours on-call service
    (lone-working).
  • Participating in Senior BMS rotation through all sections
    of the department.

For full job responsibilities and person specification please refer to the attached Job Description.

Working for our organisation

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

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability of up to 1250 words. 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 face to face or by video.  

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 note, as part of the interview process, you may be asked to prepare and deliver a presentation or take a test.


Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 17th May 2024 at 23:55. Please note that late applications will not be accepted.

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Person specification

Education and Qualification

Essential criteria
  • FIBMS or equivalent
  • Maintains professional competence in biomedical sciences.
  • Understands quality assurance principles and procedures.
  • Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures.
  • Relevant experience of working in a microbiology laboratory
  • Registered to HCPC
Desirable criteria
  • CPD registration and certification
  • Evidence of using technical experience to assess new and existing systems and initiate change in laboratory practice.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Purple SpaceApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei) is the UK's leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion issues in the workplace.Carer Confident -AccomplishedHappy to Talk Flexible Working

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jon Payne
Job title
RPO Lead Recruiter
Email address
[email protected]
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