Level 2 Health Protection Practitioner

UK Health Security Agency; Camden Town; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A national health agency is seeking a Health Protection specialist to join their team in Camden Town. The successful candidate will manage health protection services, provide expert advice, and contribute to a multi-disciplinary team. Candidates should be a Registered General Nurse or an Allied Health Professional with relevant skills in stakeholder engagement and risk management. This role offers a competitive salary and a hybrid working model.

Benefits

Defined Benefit pension scheme

Cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme

Flexible working patterns

Qualifications

• Registered General Nurse or Allied Health Professional with current registration.
• Post registration experience as a practitioner in a related field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to health protection function and surveillance.
• Manage and provide health protection advice.
• Contribute to research and public health initiatives.

Skills

Health protection advice

Stakeholder relationship building

Risk management

Communication skills

Problem-solving under pressure

Education

Registered General Nurse or Allied Health Professional

First degree in a health-related field

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)

Job description

Introduction

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

UKHSA's local Health Protection teams provide a central part of how UKHSA works with partners to deliver its first function to protect the public's health. They deliver this through a range of core functions including surveillance and monitoring, operational support and advice, education, training and research.

The post holder will:

• undergo a programme of on‑going development and education to build on existing knowledge and develop skills to provide specialist health protection advice and meet competencies required to undertake the role.
• be part of the multi‑disciplinary team contributing to the day‑to‑day provision of the health protection function, including the management of infectious and environmental hazards and contributing to the response to major incidents.
• use specialist knowledge and skills to undertake case management, liaise with, and provide health protection advice and response across a range of partner organisations, professionals and the public.
• actively contribute to the wider provision and development of the health protection function, including the development, training and supervision of others within the team.
• develop areas of expertise within regional programmes, working with relevant leads to take this work forward.
• Candidates holding RGN/AHP registration will be appointed on NHS Terms & Conditions at NHS AfC Band 7. Candidates without RGN/AHP registration will be appointed on Civil Service Terms and Conditions at SEO grade.

Advert Response

• Contribute to and support the day to day running of the acute response function to ensure high quality, safe and effective delivery of the health protection service.
• Provide first point of contact specialist knowledge, support and advice to health professionals on health protection matters.
• Undertake initial assessment and management of routine acute response work and non‑complex incidents.
• Escalate and support the management of complex incidents and outbreaks of infectious diseases and non‑infectious environmental hazards as appropriate.
• Manage and carry out continuing responsibility for a caseload ensuring accurate, up to date records of contacts/action by completion of relevant records and compliance with team handover procedures, in line with UKHSA's standards for record keeping.
• Use an evidence‑based approach to manage clinical/professional advice and discussions within the team, seeking senior advice as/when appropriate.
• Support and participate in the team's formal case review process.
• Contribute to and where required lead under supervision the ongoing longer term management of issues relevant to a defined geographical area.

Working for our Organisation

• We pride ourselves as 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.
• Contribute to the UKHSA response during incidents in line with UKHSA’s Emergency Planning and Resilience Response (EPRR) arrangements as part of the region's responsibilities under the Civil Contingencies Act.
• Contribute to and support the UKHSA regional input into Emergency Planning arrangements.
• May be required to participate in a local on call rota at regional level as required.

Surveillance

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of effective systems for the surveillance of communicable disease and environmental hazards.
• Contribute to the use of surveillance outputs to inform and influence local and national Public Health actions, policies and strategies.
• Support identification and reporting of health needs, health inequalities and health impact assessment.

Partnership Working

• Through activities delegated by line management, support the development of key relationships with a wide range of individuals and stakeholders attending meetings, networks etc as appropriate to role.
• Deal with at times, challenging and/or conflicting subject matter problems in day‑to‑day work load meetings and one to one communications referring/escalating to line management as appropriate.
• Contribute to and support the development and implementation of initiatives for public health action and improvement.

Research, Teaching and Training

• Contribute to research activity to complement the health protection evidence base.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of teaching resources and activities across a range of audiences with support from senior lead as appropriate.
• Support the training programmes for Foundation Year Doctors and Specialist Trainees in the Faculty of Public Health training scheme as appropriate, and to the training of public health and health care professionals and practitioners within the locality as requested by line management.
• Provide clinical/professional supervision and mentorship as appropriate to role.

Management and Leadership

• To act as role model adhering to team professional standards.
• Support the development of policies and protocols for a wide range of health protection issues.
• Contribute to and undertake audit as part of a wider programme of quality/service improvement activity.
• Contribute to specified quality improvement and governance initiatives as agreed.
• Undertake line management responsibilities as agreed.
• Support and contribute to the development of joint plans and system wide priorities for public health action or improvement.
• Lead projects and support defined areas of work as agreed with line manager e.g. on specific communicable diseases, non‑infectious environmental hazards, quality and training issues.
• Ensure compliance with all confidentiality and governance requirements within the team.
• Proactively contribute to wider organisational development.
• Contribute to the strategic work of the locality/patch‑based health protection team and deputise where appropriate.
• Contribute pro‑actively to the development and testing of the region's business continuity plan.

Application Process

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (17) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1500 word supporting statement.

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 supporting statement will be marked together.

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

The following will be taken through to the next stage:

• Meets all essential criteria, AfC, Registered General Nurse or relevant Allied Health Professional with current professional registration e.g. NMC/ Working towards registration with an appropriate health or science related professional body
• Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
• Link below: Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers

Eligibility and Nationality

This is a Non‑Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules. To be eligible for employment in the UK Civil Service applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) which operate independently of and additionally to the Immigration Rules. Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre‑employment checks. 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 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

Qualifications and Experience

• Registered General Nurse or Allied Health Professional in relevant clinical discipline with current professional registration e.g. NMC AND/OR First degree (Health Related) or equivalent experience of working in a health or public health related field
• Working towards registration with an appropriate health or science related professional body
• Post registration experience as a practitioner in a related field
• An understanding of and ability to work under the current Health and Social Care Act (e.g. safeguarding vulnerable adults; data protection, information governance)
• Experience of building and developing effective stakeholder relationships
• Experience of risk management and associated reporting
• Effective verbal, written and presentation communication skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear messages accurately for a range of audiences
• Excellent planning and prioritisation skills and ability to manage competing demands
• Proven ability to problem solve whilst working in an unpredictable environment, often under pressure and to tight timescales
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and work independently with minimum supervision
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams, disciplines and organisations demonstrating respect and consideration for the role/ skill(s) of others
• Ability to analyse and interpret information in an effective manner to recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issue(s)
• Proven ability to work with quality improvement and governance frameworks
• Ability to effectively engage with others to influence and negotiate for positive outcomes
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office including Word, and Excel
• Evidence of ongoing CPD and committed to self‑development
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day‑to‑day working practices, and in relation to management systems

Desirable Additional Criteria

• Professional Public Health registration e.g. Specialist Community Public Health (SCPHN) part of the NMC Register or UK PH Register for practitioners
• Evidence of relevant CPD/training in Public Health or Health Protection with experience of application to practice
• Evidence of relevant training/CPD related to Infection Prevention and Control with experience of application to practice
• Evidence of CPD related to teaching with experience of application to practice
• Sound knowledge of the principles of health protection
• Proven experience of undertaking and completing projects on time and within complex and challenging environments
• Experience of working in community settings and with health care providers
• Experience of designing and implementing internal processes and procedures for service improvement e.g. governance standards, audit etc
• Experience of managing others in a managerial or supervisory role including performance management and appraisal and development
• Experience of business planning including budget management and financial processes
• Knowledge of project principles, techniques and tools such as Prince 2 and Managing Successful Projects
• Able to develop, interpret, implement and evaluate policies
• Proven capability to plan over short, medium and long‑term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly

Security and Vetting

• Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.
• International Police Check may be required if more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years.
• Internal Fraud Check may be performed as part of pre‑employment screening.
• Security Clearance information can be found at UK security vetting levels.

Salary and Benefits

• Success at interview, with consideration of transfer or promotion, will determine starting salary as per NHS AfC or Civil Service pay scale minimums. In exceptional circumstances, flexibility may exist if a higher existing salary can be demonstrated.
• Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
• Public holidays and one privilege day for the King's birthday.
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Access to a cycle‑to‑work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
• Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
• Upholders of flexible working patterns (part‑time, job‑share, condensed hours) are encouraged.
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave package.

Working Environment

UKHSA operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow, providing greater flexibility. The role may require occasional work on the same site as the local team as we continue to develop the new National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex.