Biomedical Scientist - Bacteriology

Severn Pathology, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB

Job Summary

The laboratory in Bristol is situated within the Severn Pathology suite of laboratories at North Bristol NHS Trust Southmead site. The laboratory receives in excess of 1 million specimens a year from a large number of clinical specialties across the Bristol and Bath hospital trusts which contribute to an interesting and varied workload.

As a Biomedical Scientist you 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.

You will also be responsible for the efficient day-to-day running of an area in a section of the laboratory, to be able to rotate through all the different sections in the laboratory and to supervise and train other less experienced and qualified staff.

You will also be expected to assist in any UKHSA coordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. a Bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak, e.g. SARS.

Working for your 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.

Job Description

You would undertake on-going training and development and update Professional Development Plan, as required by the Laboratory Manager or Lead Biomedical Scientist.

You would be required to assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples received and liaises with senior technical staff for action or advice following departmental sample acceptance policy.

You would also be responsible for ensuring data integrity when entering demographics and results into the laboratory information system. You will perform sample preparation, processing bodily fluids and materials, including high. You would need to analyse biological samples including more complex/ specialist investigations requiring a high level of skill.

You would be working in high-risk Containment Level 3 laboratories following local code of practice within these facilities.

Duties Will Include:

• To assist in the day-to-day supervision and organisation of the less qualified staff in the allocated area.
• To assist in the training of less qualified staff.
• To process the clinical specimens received and undertake the related tasks in the various sections of the laboratory, undertaking reading, reporting and the interpretation of results in accordance with agreed policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• To adhere and contribute to the delivery of the Laboratory Quality Management System (QMS).
• To observe safety regulations of the laboratory and UKHSA.
• To assist the senior staff in the monitoring of the performance of less qualified staff.
• To maintain a high standard of technical skill.
• To ensure a sound knowledge of the laboratory IT system, and to perform data entry, specimen and result enquiry and validation of results as appropriate.
• To perform and monitor quality control tests, to record results and bring any anomalies to the attention of Senior BMS staff as soon as is practicable.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties. Please see job description document for full list of duties and responsibilities.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• State registration with The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Biomedical Science (BMS) degree or equivalent academic achievement ratified by the IBMS
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) in accordance with HCPC guidelines
• Experience of using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• Technically adept at relevant laboratory procedures
• Skills for communication on complex information, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills
• Able to organise less qualified staff
• 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.

Desirable Criteria

• Completion of an IBMS Specialist Portfolio or equivalent experience (Essential for employment at Band 6)
• 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 employer contribution of 28.97%.

Selection process details

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. Please be aware that you will be assessed on the above listed nine essential criteria, rather than the full list on the job description document.

• An application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• A 750 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

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.

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.

Please note all applications meeting all the essential criteria will proceed through to the shortlisting stage.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• State registration with The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirements of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. If your application falls below the Band 6 threshold, your application may be assessed against the lower grade role.

If you are interviewed for the role and you do not meet the required benchmark you may be considered for a Band 5 role. Applications will also be considered from candidates working towards HCPC registration who may be offered an EO Healthcare Scientist position.

All essential and desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates (see attached job description).

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

Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (Competency based)

You will be invited to a face to face interview. In extreme circumstances, we may be offer a remote interview.

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

There will be a technical test as part of the interview.

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 Severn Pathology, Southmead Hospital, Bristol. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this role. The successful candidate will be required to work on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays on a rotational basis.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates for this role must pass a 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 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.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs. You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police Check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check. See our vetting charter.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check. See our vetting charter.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.

Further information on nationality requirements.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

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

Contact point for applicants

• Job Contact : Jon Payne
• Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

• Recruitment team : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Further information

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: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk 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.