Biomedical Scientist Specialist

The Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge current provides services to Addenbrooke’s, Royal Papworth, and the E&N Herts Hospitals, the surrounding district, and other NHS Laboratories. It has active research and epidemiological interests.

The laboratory undergoes assessment against UKAS ISO 15189 standards and has strong teaching interests. Set on the outskirts of the university city of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital is one of the top hospitals in the UK and a thriving NHS Foundation Trust. Addenbrooke’s is closely associated with leading educational providers including the University of Cambridge and is a major centre for biomedical research and education.

The department undertakes a wide range of routine and specialist microbiological and molecular investigations. It makes extensive use of automation including Qiagen platforms, Biofire, BacTec, Sedimax, MGIT, Vitek, Centaur XP, Panther, Liaison and Vidas analysers and Kiestra.

• Work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high level of microbiological analysis in order to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment.
• Use the appropriate testing, in a timely manner, to assist the Consultant Microbiologists, and thus ensure the correct clinical diagnosis.
• Perform a range of specialist technical and scientific activities, including testing samples referred from other NHS and UKHSA laboratories.
• Follow appropriate training and orientation, and in rotation with other BMS staff, to work as the sole BMS in extended hours and weekends, undertaking urgent or other high-priority work.
• Be responsible for the efficient day-to-day running of an area in a section of the laboratory, to be able to rotate through all the different sections in the laboratory and to supervise and train inexperienced BMSs, trainee BMSs or HCSSWs.
• Be expected to assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, eg. a Bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak, eg. SARS., H5N1 influenza etc.
• Supervise the HCSSW(s) and less experienced BMS staff in the area of responsibility and to assist in the day-to-day supervision of all other HCSSWs, trainee BMS(s) and inexperienced BMS(s) in the department.
• Deputise for Senior BMS staff where appropriate and when necessary.
• To process the specimens received and to undertake the related tasks in the various sections of the laboratory, leading to the reporting and interpretation of results in accordance with agreed policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs), including specialist reference tests as required of UKHSA Regional Laboratories.
• To be responsible for maintenance of consumables and equipment in immediate area of work. Also, to use and maintain automated equipment following manufacturer`s guidelines and training.
• Based upon sound knowledge and experience, to designate, on receipt, the range of tests to be performed on various samples. This involves making judgments about which automated platform to use, whether confirmation is necessary by other methods etc. and requires an understanding of both disease and the manner in which the laboratory addresses the diagnostic process.
• Using microbiological techniques, to work competently in all sections of the Laboratory, including Bacteriology, Containment Level 3, Serology, Chlamydia and Molecular Diagnostics.
• To adhere to Laboratory bench SOPs and the Laboratory policies and procedures and to work autonomously within the guidelines provided. Also to assist the Quality Manager and other Senior Staff in the preparation and ongoing review of SOPs.
• To plan and organise the work of the allocated area in the laboratory.
• To maintain a high standard of professional competence in the performance of all tests and investigations carried out in the Laboratory.
• To ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of senior staff and/or medical staff, and to report complaints and anomalies as soon as possible.
• To deputise for senior staff as required
• To ensure a sound knowledge of the laboratory IT system, to look up and enter results, book in patient data, request tests and other similar tasks.
• To be responsible for equipment and automated processors in the area of responsibility, identifying any problems. To act as first-line ‘trouble-shooter’ when and where appropriate, and to bring problems to the attention of senior staff.
• To communicate effectively with all members of the team and other health care professionals.
• To liaise with senior BMS staff, medical and scientific staff in all matters relating to the diagnosis of infection.
• To monitor quality control results and bring any anomalies to the attention of Senior BMS staff as soon as is practicable.
• Where appropriate, to assist or lead in research and audit projects.
• To assist in the production and dissemination of laboratory reports, data and statistics, and to maintain relevant records appropriately.

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 European Union Settlement Scheme (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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge, experience, skills and abilities outlined in the 7 Essential Criteria in this job advert.

Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 Essential Criteria listed in this job advert. You will be required to complete the following:

• Application form - ‘Employer/Activity history’ section on the application
• 1250 word supporting statement - - do not exceed 1250 words as we will not consider any words over this amount

Please complete the Application Form with as much detail as you can. As CVs cannot be uploaded or emailed to us, the Application Form and Supporting Statement are your CV and cover letter. Do include all relevant information about your skills, experience, and qualifications with reference to the 7 Essential Criteria listed in this job advert.

You will receive a joint score for your Application Form and Supporting Statement.

Longlisting

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

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only 'Meets all Essential Criteria' will progress to Shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the following Essential Criteria:

• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science degree or equivalent academic achievement ratified by the IBMS.
• State registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview. Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at Addenbrooke's Hospital. Interview date(s) are yet to be confirmed.

In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

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

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Please note that UKHSA is exploring options for the future of the Clinical Network Laboratories service and that further information will be shared as the review progresses.

Incident Response Activity

From time to time, the role holder may be required to support UKHSA’s incident response activity by contributing their appropriate expertise within an Incident Cell; during such periods, supported by the line manager, this work will take priority over normal day-to-day responsibilities, commensurate with their grade, skills and experience.

Qualifications and Registrations

For roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants. This role may also be available as a loan (for existing Civil Servants only) or secondment arrangement, subject to business need and agreement from the hiring manager and, where applicable, the employee's home organisation.

Salary Information

NHS AfC Band 6: £39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro-rata

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.

NHS Pension

This role is offered under Agenda for Change (AFC) Terms and Conditions.

• If you are already on AFC T&Cs or accept the role on a fixed-term contract, you will be enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme or keep your current AFC Pension.
• If you take the role on a loan or temporary promotion, you will retain your

existing, substantive T&Cs.

• If the role is available under either AFC or Civil Service T&Cs depending on your registration, your pension scheme will align accordingly.

Location

This role is being offered as lab based at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ.

Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

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. 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.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Internal Fraud Check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub, and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for external candidates to the Civil Service.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.