Lead Technician - Analytical Microbiology

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust; Stockton-on-Tees; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Exciting opportunity for a Lead Technician in Antimicrobial at a leading NHS Foundation Trust. This role involves supervision, coordination, and performing microbiological analyses to support pharmaceutical testing services. The ideal candidate will hold a degree in Microbiology and have experience working in a GMP environment. Join us to make a difference in patient care and contribute to an innovative healthcare setting.

Benefits

Support for professional development

Inclusive workplace with wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a similar role in a similar environment.
• Ability to represent the service positively.
• Experience in a GMP environment is essential.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and organise work in the analytical microbiology section.
• Conduct microbiological analyses on pharmaceutical samples.
• Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice.

Skills

Organisational skills

Planning skills

Communication

Logical thinking

Customer service skills

Education

Degree in Microbiology or related field

Job description

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, our main priority is, and always will be, providing safe and high quality care to our patients every day; the kind of care we would want for ourselves and our loved ones.

If you share our passion then apply for this opportunity and help us make our patients' experience the best it can possibly be.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital-based services to the population of Hartlepool, Stockton on Tees and parts of East Durham and Sedgefield as well as community, therapeutic and screening to a wider population across Durham and Teesside.

Job overview

Advert may close once sufficient number of applications is reached

Stockton Quality Control Laboratory is an NHS service which is an MHRA Inspected contract laboratory. The laboratory provides a range of pharmaceutical testing services including analytical chemistry, microbiology, clean room testing, medical gas testing and theatre testing.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Lead Technician in Antimicrobial to support the ongoing development of the service.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a Degree in Microbiology or a related field, with experience in a GMP environment to join our team working into our internal services.

Main duties of the job

Under the direction of the Head of Internal Services the post holder is responsible for the co-ordination of workload in the analytical microbiology section to meet contracted turnarounds. This will require the supervision Technicians along with Senior and Assistant Technical Officers in the analytical microbiology section of the laboratory along with the performing a range of analytical tests on pharmaceutical microbiology test samples. As part of the role the post holder is expected to have or develop an understanding of the principles of current Good Manufacturing Practice and Data Integrity Guidelines.

Working for our organisation

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust our main priority is, and always will be, to provide safe and high quality care to our patients every day; the kind of care we would want for ourselves and our loved ones. We want our organisation to be the best place to work with the right staff, in the right roles, at the right time, to ensure we deliver exceptional patient care and experience.

We are an Active Hospital and strongly encourage participation of all staff and patients. We expect MECC for all our people interactions.

We will support staff through providing an inclusive and supportive workplace with health and well-being initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development. Staff recognition is very important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Star and Team of the month, colleague recognition - a note of thanks, Managers Awards, Shining Stars and Service Awards.

We recruit for values and "Together we are North Tees & Hartlepool"

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Under the direction of the Head of Internal Services and under the professional supervision of the Head Microbiologist to supervise and organise the work of Technicians, SATO's and Assistant Technical Officers working in the analytical microbiology section of the laboratory.

To liaise with other Lead Technicians within Internal Services to ensure that resources are co-ordinated to the needs of the service

To perform a range of microbiological analyses on a variety of pharmaceutical and other samples using instrumental and classical microbiology techniques

Working with the Head Microbiologist to provide judgement on the result of analytical tests to staff and customers of the laboratory.

To supervise and undertake the validation of microbiology kits and sterility test samples by challenge testing in accordance with laboratory procedures

To supervise the monitoring of incubation temperatures and storage conditions using the Tutela monitoring system

To plan the workload to ensure samples within the analytical microbiology section of the laboratory are tested in accordance with agreed procedures and within contracted turnarounds

To plan the workload and allocate staff within the Microbiology Identification Service and to ensure contracted turnarounds are met

To ensure that adequate stocks of consumables and equipment used in the microbiology section of the laboratory

To ensure that deviations, change controls and out of specification results are raised as appropriate according local procedures within a timely manner and any required actions are acted upon. This may include investigation of deviations within own section under the direction of the Quality Manager

Author controlled documents as appropriate. Approve procedures, forms, methods and specifications as appropriate.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Significant experience in similar role in a similar environment.

Skills

Essential criteria

• Organisational skills
• Planning skills
• Approachable and easy to talk to.
• Logical and calm.
• Polite and considered in responses to queries
• Ability to deal with customers in a polite neutral and responsive way
• Ability to represent the service in the best light
• It skills for documenting customer queries and planning the service - MS excel and word in particular

Desirable criteria

• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances without flapping or sharing stress with customers

Adaptability

Essential criteria

• Innovative and ability to think of creative and efficient ways of documenting and planning.

Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to communicate well, putting people at ease and striking an immediate rapport

Desirable criteria

• Flexible and adaptable.

Please be aware: Once sufficient applications have been received this vacancy may close early.

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)

It is the policy of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost for their DBS certificate. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay on commencement with the Trust. The DBs check will be undertaken during the pre-employment check screening.

Qualifications
Please note the essential qualifications required for the post are outlined within the Person Specification. You are required to provide original evidence of the necessary qualifications for the post at interview should you be shortlisted. You will also be required to provide original copies as part of the pre-employment check screening.

New Starters - Probationary Period

For any new employees commencing employment with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, you will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period. Please note that internal applications and individuals that are appointed to fixed term appointments of less than 6 months duration are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or a bank member of staff).

Employment References

As part of our pre-employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years employment history including any gaps. Applicants are requested to ensure e-mail addresses for all referees are included on their application form. Personal references are not acceptable.

Working Hours

If the hours advertised for the post are up to full time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full-time hours and all requests will be considered in line with the post being appointed to for the successful applicant.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The details in the Monitoring Information section of your application will be used for monitoring our recruitment process and will not be seen by the interview panel. The information you give will be treated in the strictest confidence. To meet its commitment to promoting equality of opportunity, the Trust's policy is that individuals will be recruited, trained and promoted according to ability and job requirements only. As such we welcome your application irrespective of your gender, race, disability, colour, ethnic or national origin, and nationality, and marital status, responsibility for dependants, religion, trade union activity and age.

Right to Work in the UK

The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless they have permission to work via another route. Non UK/RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.

Please note that not everyone needs a 'Skilled Worker' visa. If you are applying for health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.

We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here:Skilled Worker visa: Your job - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.

Disability

The Trust gives full and fair consideration to applications for employment received from disabled people. We are a "Positive about Disabled People" employer, and we hold the 'two ticks' Disability Symbol, which is a recognition given by Jobcentre Plus to employers who have agreed to meet five commitments regarding the recruitment, employment, retention and career development of disabled people. If you have a disability, which makes it difficult for you to complete our application form, please do not hesitate to contact the recruitment team on 01642 383200.

Armed Forces Covenant

As a supporter of the Armed Forces and an employer of Reservists, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces (and their families) are treated fairly.

We recognise that reservists and veterans bring a variety of transferable skills and qualities to our workplace, developed through their military careers. Our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community has been recognised through the Armed Forces Covenant as a Silver Employer.

Further Important Information

Please check your email on a regular basis for updates on your application. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to email via this method.

Please ensure you read the 'Guidance Notes for Applicants' document attached to this advert before completing and submitting your application.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

• JD Lead Technician (PDF, 479.5KB)
• Employment Applicant Guidance (PDF, 594.1KB)
• NHS Customer Charter Overview (PDF, 155.8KB)
• Staff Network (PDF, 428.4KB)
• Privacy Notice (PDF, 717.8KB)