About this role
Job summary
The Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Services (FWEMS) Laboratories are specialist microbiology laboratories within the UKHSA. Based in 3 sites across the country, the laboratories are geographically well placed to work with local authorities to protect the public from health threats posed by contaminated food, water and the environment. The London FWEMS Laboratory provides a microbiology testing and advisory service to Local Authorities,Port Health Authorities, hospitals and commercial clients across London, Southeast England, and Midlands Regions. The laboratory is accredited to ISO17025 and is recognised as an Official Laboratory for the microbiological examination of food and foodstuffs within the EU.
The post holderwill actas a Healthcare Scientist Practitionerandprovidea technical service tocustomersfor the diagnostic testing of Food, Water and Environmental samples as an aid to the investigation of outbreaks, foodpoisoningand routine control. Theywill perform basic and more complexinvestigationsprovidingspecialisedtesting using complex equipment.
The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical,internal and external to UKHSA.
Main duties of the job
Service Delivery
- Participate in the provision of an analytical service, including the production of accurate and relevant results and reports.
- Assist with the supervision of the day to day running of the laboratory. Be involved in all aspects of sample reception and complete pre-analysis processing for the microbiologicalexamination of samples received in the laboratory, ensuring samples are valid and tested appropriately.
- Work independently or as part of a team (under guidance) to undertake the full microbiological analysis of a wide range of samples, including test selection, in accordance with laboratory and customerrequirements.
- Ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of more senior staff and report complaints and anomalies as soon as possible.
- Assist other team members in all aspects of technical work and take on delegated responsibilities from more senior staff.
- Assist in the management of outbreaks, ensuring adequate resources are available to carry out the necessary work. Liaise with medical, scientific, and other staff of the UKHSA in all matters of common interest.
Customer Relationships
- Respond to requests and accurately communicate routine, unequivocal results to customers, including interpretation and reporting of written and verbalresults.
Please note, the above is not exhaustive.
About us
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.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Job description
Job responsibilities
Quality Management Systems
-Participate in activities necessary for the maintenance and development of the Quality System in accordance with UKAS requirements.
-Support the laboratorys accreditation to ISO 17025 and ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards.
-Assist the Quality Manager in ensuring good working practices and maintain a high standard of work.
-Asset Management
-Ensure efficient running and contribute to routine maintenance of all equipment, which will include high cost, complex equipment requiring calibration and regular maintenance.
-Assist in the maintenance of stocks of reagents and consumables, ensuring that they are received, stored, verified and used appropriately.
-Contribute to the care, maintenance and security of laboratory premises and equipment in order to ensure efficient and safe operation.
Management
-Take responsibility for the supervision of the day-to-day activities of less experienced staff.
Strategy, Policy and Service Development
-Assist in the improvement and development of the service, in the interests of efficiency and in order to meet changing demands.
-Support the implementation of new methods and technologies into the laboratory, in order to maximise quality and efficiency of testing.
-Support and participate in FW&E surveys, trials and research work and projects in collaboration with other senior staff of the FWEMS laboratories.
-Support appropriate income generation activities for the laboratory, in accordance with the National FWEMS objectives, in conjunction with the Laboratory Management Team.
-Participate in periodic reviews of laboratory methods with respect to performance and relevance.
IT Infrastructure
-Become competent in the use of the laboratorys IT systems and participate in the basic inputting of data into the system.
Security/Health and Safety
-Ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirements of the Data Protection Act, Caldicott principles and the Laboratory Information Systems andTechnology Security policy.
-Ensure that health and safety are afforded priority and to demonstrate commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors.
-Ensure attendance of self and managed staff on safety training courses as required in the UKHSA Health and Safety Training Policy and othersafety policies as appropriate.
-Ensure that a Laboratory/Office Safety Code is implemented.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
-BSc (Hons) Science degree or BTEC with previous experience in microbiology OR equivalent laboratory experience
-Understanding of quality management systems, especially in relation to UKAS Accreditation
-Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
-Skills for communication of complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills
-Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
-Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision, working to tight and often changing timescales
-Values diversity and difference, operates with integrity and openness
SELECTION PROCESS DETAILS
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.
STAGE 1 APPLICATION AND SIFT
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
-Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)1000 word supporting statement.
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.
HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words.
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
If used, the pile Meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.
SHORTLISTING
In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
STAGE 2 INTERVIEW
Success profiles
You will be invited to a single face to face interview at UKHSA 61 Colindale Avenue London NW9 5EQ.
When face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills will be tested at interview.
Strengths, Experience and Ability will be assessed via questioning.
Technical skills will be assessed through a technical test designed to evaluate your knowledge and experience relevant to the Food, Water and Environmental (FWE) London Healthcare Scientist Practitioner (HSP) role.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
-Delivering at Pace (Lead behaviour)
-Working Together
-Managing a Quality Service
Interview dates are yet to be confirmed.
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 being offered as lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale.
When based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. 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. 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.
SECURITY CLEARANCE LEVEL REQUIREMENT
Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check .
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants.
SALARY INFORMATION
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.
Person Specification
Application and supporting statement
Essential
- Application and supporting statement
Behaviours
Essential
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
Technical Test
Essential
- Technical Test
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).
Employer details
Employer name
UK Health Security Agency
Address
Scientific Campus
Colindale
NW9 5EQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)