Specialist Biomedical Scientist

NHS; Porton; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A major healthcare provider in Porton is seeking an HCPC registered specialist Biomedical Scientist. You will provide expert technical support in a laboratory focusing on diagnostic services for Viral Haemorrhagic Fever viruses. Responsibilities include performing assays, overseeing lab operations, and training staff. Applicants must have a relevant degree and experience in a diagnostic lab. The role offers a salary range of £38,682 to £46,580 per annum, with a commitment to inclusive work culture.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years post-registration experience as a Biomedical Scientist.
• Experience working in a diagnostic or reference virology laboratory.
• Knowledge of ISO15189 quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Undertake a range of diagnostic assays including ELISA and real-time PCR.
• Oversee laboratory areas with support from senior staff.
• Manage and supervise a team to ensure diagnostic testing is completed.

Skills

ELISA

IFA

real-time PCR

mic microbiology

Clear communication

Resilience

Education

Degree in medical/microbiology/biological science

HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

The Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) provide a front-line diagnostic service for the detection of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever viruses (Ebola, Lassa, CCHF, Marburg), Arboviruses, Rickettsiae, and a range of ACDP Hazard Group 3 bacteria including Bacillus anthracis and Francisella tularensis. RIPL is also the provider of the Leptospira acute diagnostic service and the Lyme disease specialist unit diagnostic service. We are UKAS ISO15189 accredited and hold approval to provide IBMS registration and Virology specialist portfolios.

The role is for an HCPC registered specialist Biomedical Scientist to provide expert technical support for the specialist diagnostic laboratory work undertaken within RIPL in accordance with UKHSA and laboratory policies and procedures with particular focus on areas of serological diagnosis by ELISA and IFA and molecular identification using real-time PCR.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake a range of diagnostic assays and techniques as required to meet the needs of the RIPL service provision, including ELISA, IFA and real-time PCR, and in line with relevant accreditation schemes, such as ISO15189.
• Oversee an area of the laboratory with support from senior staff in the department, including delivery of training, maintaining quality processes, management of reagents and consumables, troubleshooting of assays, non-conformance investigation and root cause analysis, and identifying trends and escalating to senior management.
• Prioritise, co-ordinate, and supervise the workload of a team of staff within an area of the laboratory for completion of diagnostic testing daily, including undertaking of general laboratory duties such as the disposal of waste, equipment maintenance, stock control and ensuring a safe working environment.
• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with safety and ISO15189 quality requirements and complete any training requirements as required for this post.
• Participate in the RIPL on-call rota to provide 24/7 cover.

This list 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 responsibilities

• Work independently and within a team to perform a range of diagnostic assays and techniques as required to meet the needs of the RIPL service provision, including ELISA, IFA and real-time PCR, and in line with relevant accreditation schemes, such as ISO15189.
• Perform required work and procedures at containment level 3, including inactivation and extraction for PCR and microbiological analysis of environmental samples.
• Oversee an area of the laboratory with support from senior staff in the department.
• Play a leading role in the delivery of training for specific areas of the laboratory
• Take responsibility for maintaining quality processes according to ISO15189 for across specific areas of the laboratory, including, stock control, management and acceptance of reagents and consumables, organising of engineers, troubleshooting of assays, non-conformance investigation and root cause analysis, and identifying trends and escalating to senior management.
• Assist in the identification, evaluation and adaptation of new technologies and diagnostic tests to enhance the laboratories capabilities and to ensure the project area works to a high scientific standard.
• Supervise the workload of a team of staff within an area of the laboratory, prioritising, co-ordinating and organising investigations.
• Ensuring investigations meet agreed timescales required by RIPL service level agreement and escalating in the event of delays.
• Undertake general laboratory duties including housekeeping, disposal of waste, equipment maintenance, stock control and
• Undergo training requirements as required for the post.
• Participate in the RIPL on-call rota to provide 24/7 cover.
• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with safety and ISO15189 quality requirements and complete any training requirements as required for this post.
• To perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade.
• Deputise as appropriate for senior staff
• To maintain HCPC registration as a condition of employment
• To maintain high professional standards by continual professional development keeping up to date with advances in medical microbiology
• To maintain a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory and other members of the team
• Promote a culture of inclusion and belonging by actively contributing to a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and respected.
• To ensure health, safety and welfare are afforded priority and to demonstrate commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors and comply with relevant UKHSA health and safety policies at all times
• To escal…; to notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure
• To report any personal sickness (during and after such an event) that may have potentially been caused by or may impact upon work, in line with the UKHSA Sickness Absence management policy.
• HCPC registered as a Biomedical Scientist with minimum two years post registration experience
• Degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate medical/microbiology/biological science discipline
• Experience working in a diagnostic or reference virology laboratory
• Experience working in a regulated environment with quality systems and knowledge of ISO15189
• Experience of diagnostic molecular biology testing and molecular methods including real-time PCR
• Good knowledge and experience of serological methods including ELISA and IFA.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting information, evaluating issues, and recommending appropriate course of action, for example non-conformance investigations and use of root cause analysis
• Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
• Resilience and ability to work at pace to ensure delivery of a highly responsive diagnostic service with a 24/7 on-call capability.
• Experience of working at CL3
• Experience in leading and managing small teams and/or projects

Selection Process Details:

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience, and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 9 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)

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

In this eventuality, those meeting all essential criteria will progress to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: If we receive a large number of applications an initial sift against the lead criteria will be carried out:

• HCPC registered as a Biomedical Scientist with minimum two years post registration experience
• Experience working in a diagnostic or reference virology laboratory

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

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

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1250. Please do not exceed 1250 words.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

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.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a single face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, technical skills, experience, and strengths will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Communicating and influencing
• Working together
• Working at pace

Interview dates to be confirmed.

Location

This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Porton. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

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 Counter-terrorist Check.

If based at one of our labs, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check.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.

Eligibility Criteria

External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including 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 form and Supporting Statement

• Application form and Supporting Statement

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Working at Pace

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.

£38,682 to £46,580 a yearPer annum, pro rata