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Additionally, the post holder will engage in quality control activities to ensure adherence to ISO 15189 accreditation, support various public health initiatives, and manage their own workload efficiently. The role is lab-based with no hybrid working options available and is open to all external applicants. Candidates will be assessed through a competency-based interview process following an application stage that includes submitting a detailed suitability statement.
UKHSA provides microbiology services through a network of regional laboratories and central reference laboratories. UKHSA commissions its diagnostic Microbiology service for the Yorkshire & Humber region from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT).
The post holder will work as part of the UKHSA employed team based in the Leeds Regional Laboratory based at the Centre for Laboratory Medicine at the St James University Hospital, providing microbiology support for the laboratory based CDRN surveillance activities. The Leeds Regional Laboratory is the national laboratory for the Clostridium difficile Ribotyping Network (CDRN) in England. UKHSA is currently implementing a plan to introduce new technologies and services, such as Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to the Clostridium difficile services it currently provides. This role will support the Lead Scientist in the CDRN unit in delivering this plan.
The post holder will be required to support the emergency response capability of the Leeds Laboratory should this be required and also to work with colleagues to provide a laboratory liaison service to the Yorkshire & Humber Health Protection teams.
o To work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high-quality Clostridium difficile ribotyping service to provide patients and clinicians with the highest level of diagnosis, treatment and surveillance.o To assist the Lead Scientist in the development and transition to a whole genome sequencing (WGS) service for CDRNoTo provide expert technical support for the specialist work undertaken within the laboratory in accordance with UKHSA and laboratory policies and procedureso The post holder would 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.oTo participate in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities and assist the department in maintaining ISO 15189 accreditation from UKAS (UK Accreditation Service).o To participate in the provision of out-of-hours services should these be requiredo To provide support for any PH initiatives undertaken in Leeds UKHSAo Responsible for organising and controlling own workload ensuring deadlines are observed and duties performed efficiently.o Provide cover as directed by Line Manager for other members of the team in their absence and assist with their workloads as necessary.o Act independently on day-to-day issues and to use own judgement within the autonomy and limitations of the post
About us
You would assist in the supervision and training of trainee Biomedical Scientist ( BMSs) or Healthcare Scientist Support Worker (HSSWs) and other less experienced BMS staff
You would be required to deputise for Senior BMS staff where appropriate and when necessary.
The postholder would provide support to assigned projects and under supervision to improve the laboratory output
You would help deliver, under supervision, specific project support to the CDRN Scientific Lead
For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description
Selection Process:
Essential criteria - you will be assessed on the below 7 essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your knowledge, experience, skills & abilities.
Stage 1:Application& Sift
You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed on the essentialcriteria in the role requirements,and this will be in the form of
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Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
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a 1000word Statement of Suitability.
This should outline howyour skills,experience,andknowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
Application formand Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.
Please do not exceed 1000 words.We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2:Interview (competancy based)
You will be invited to a single face to face interview
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
A test scenario will also be given to assess your technical skills, details will be provided during the interview.
Interviews will be held week commencing TBC, 2024.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (includingby definition internalapplicants).
Location
This role is being offered as lab working based at Leeds, Centre for Laboratory Medicine, St James University Hospital. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
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