Healthcare Scientist inColindale inColindale PUBLISHED TUE 3 DEC 2024

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly skilled Healthcare Scientist to join our busy Clinical Services Unit. The Unit delivers high throughput serological and molecular testing of a wide range of Viral and Bacterial pathogens. Our work is wide ranging and varied. The unit delivers a range of specialist testing and supports the microbiology reference laboratories which provide clinical microbiological advice and diagnosis, complex reference services, methodology development, microbial epidemiology, investigation of national and uncommon outbreaks, response to international health alerts, and advice on the risks posed by various infections.

The post holder will be a Healthcare Scientist with extensive experience of both manual and automated serological and molecular techniques and will join a team within the Clinical Services Unit. You will support the team to ensure it delivers a performance that meets the clinical and scientific requirements of the Unit and complies with the best quality and laboratory practices while ensuring the work is performed safely, economically, and effectively.

• Delivering technical and related services which meet the clinical and scientific requirements, comply with the best laboratory practices and are safe, economical and effective.
• Working with colleagues across UKHSA to foster close collaborative working between the Clinical Services Unit and Research and Development Groups to improve service provision.
• Supporting the provision of an efficient, effective and timely service ensuring maximum efficiency within allocated resources.
• Assisting the validation of patient results ensuring assays reach quality control criteria and appropriate interpretations are made prior to medical sign off.
• Supporting the use of automation of Serological and Molecular services.
• Supporting the training of junior staff.
• Being proactive in suggesting operational improvements within CSU and supporting operational improvement intiatives.
• Deputising for senior staff in the Unit as required and where appropriate.
• Developing yourself and your team to support the work of CSU and to support national laboratory emergency response

For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

About us

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

Competency-based assessment

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

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1000 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.

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets someessential criteria
• Meets no essentialcriteria

We will take through the following piles to shortlisting:

• Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting:

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

• BSc in Biological sciences or Biomedical Science, Biological Science, Life Sciences, Biochemistry, Molecular Science/Biology.
• Experience with quality assurance principles and procedures.
• Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures.
• Experience of working in a microbiological/molecular diagnostic (preferably virological) laboratory, or equivalent.
• Able to work carefully, with precision and be able to balance laboratory duties with accurate record keeping
• Ability to work individually and as part of a team.
• High level of motivation and commitment to high standards
• Able to analyse and evaluate data based on evidence.
• Able to work to prioritise workload, work to deadlines and remain focussed.

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

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 (competency based)

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at the UKHSA Colindale.

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

Interviews will be held week commencing 6th or 13th January 2025. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

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 - External

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

Location

This role is based at Colindale.Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance LevelRequirement

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 a Counter-terrorist Check.

Successful candidates will require Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) as a minimum with willingness and capability to work towards Counter Terrorism Check (CTC).