Senior Biomedical Scientist Birmingham, England
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About the job
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Things you need to know
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Location
About the job
Job summary
The Public Health Laboratory in Birmingham is a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) microbiology laboratory and is in partnership with University Hospitals Birmingham Trust (UHB). The microbiology partnership provides comprehensive microbiology services and specialist services to Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield, Solihull Hospital and general practitioners throughout the area.
We are recruiting for 2 Senior Biomedical Scientists to join the team, providing a high-quality microbiology service in order to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment whilst managing the efficient day-to-day running of a section of the laboratory, and be able to rotate through all the different sections in the laboratory and to supervise the training of BMS and HSSW staff.
Location
This role is lab-based at UKHSA Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham B9 5SS
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Job description
As the Senior Biomedical Scientist, you will be required to to assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. a Bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak. This is a rotational post through all of the sections of the laboratory including:
- General Bacteriology including respiratory and enterics.
- Virology including Viral Serology
- Molecular diagnostics for Bacteriology and Virology.
- Regional Centre for Mycobacteriology.
- Antiviral Susceptibility Testing services
- Pathogen Genomics Sequencing
You will also be responsible for the organising of the day to day deployment of staff within each section.
- To ensure reports are verified and are accurate and to authorise their issue.
- To assist in the production and dissemination of laboratory reports, data statistics
- To support and develop the molecular bacteriology and virology strategy of the laboratory
- To keep up to date with knowledge of microbiology diagnostic developments through proactive participation in CPD programmes.
- To ensure that adequate consumable stocks are maintained for the section whilst minimising cost and wastage.
- To co-ordinate the development and evaluation of new techniques and equipment
- To prepare implement and maintain Standard Operating Procedures for each section and that technical standards are maintained as well as the continued maintenance of UKAS Accreditation Standards
- To ensure that UKHSA Laboratory Safety Policies are implemented and adhered to by all staff working in the department.
- Training, induction and education of HSSWs, Trainee BMS5, rotating BMS6, Trainee Medical staff and visitors to the department.
- To participate in the Senior Technical Management Team of West Midland UKHSA.
- To assist in the recruitment and selection of staff, conduct annual appraisals for staff and participate in the setting of objectives and the monitoring of their development
- To participate in the Weekend rosters, out of hours and Bank Holiday work of the department (or at any other time) as and when required.
- To assist where appropriate with research and audit projects
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.
Person specification
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1200 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:
Essential
- BSc Biomedical Science degree or equivalent academic achievement ratified by the IBMS
- Master of Science (MSc.) or equivalent
- IBMS Registration Portfolio
- IBMS Specialist Portfolio in either Bacteriology or Virology
- HCPC registration
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience working in a diagnostic microbiology or virology laboratory.
- Has an understanding of:
- UKAS standards
- supporting R&D activities
- Health & Safety
- Data Protection and Information Governance legislation
- National Standards
- Experience of using computerised data systems
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Desirable
- Member of IBMS desirable
- Experience in training staff
- Experience of evaluating new techniques/equipment
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 & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this. It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of no more than 1200 words that you give evidence and examples of the criteria required.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
This competition will involve an interview 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.
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).
You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 8th May 2023 – 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.
Shortlist: 11th May 2023
Interviews: w/c 22nd May 2023. Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)
Nationality requirements
Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
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.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
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/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
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