Biomedical Scientist/Specialist Biomedical Scientist

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest microbiology departments in England as a Biomedical scientist. The Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership (MMMP) is a collaboration between UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

You will 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. The Microbiology delivered from the Manchester Royal Infirmary site employs around 130 staff and has a workload of approximately 1.2 million specimens. The department embraces all aspects of a modern clinical bacteriology service combining traditional methodologies with laboratory automation.

Working for your organisation

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.

The post-holder will act as a registered Biomedical who provides scientific services to patients and clients as an aid to clinical diagnosis of microbiological disease. Accuracy and attention to detail is essential.

To perform a range of bacteriological technical and scientific activities, including testing samples referred from other NHS and UKHSA laboratories.

Utilising the appropriate testing, and in a timely manner, to assist the Consultant Microbiologists, and thus ensure the correct clinical diagnosis.

To assist in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. Bioterrorism incident or a major disease e.g. COVID, SARS, H5N1 influenza, Enteric outbreak etc..

This role is advertised as a Band 6, however we may also consider appointing at Band 5, depending on experience. The Band 5 salary is £32,073–£39,043.

All appointments are made strictly in merit order based on assessment results.

If you're found appointable at the advertised grade but no Band 6 roles are available, we may offer a similar opportunity at Band 5, in merit order. If you're not appointable at Band 6, we can only consider you for Band 5 where you’ve been assessed at that grade and found appointable, and this possibility is set out in the campaign information.

To be considered for the band 6 role candidate would need : IBMS Specialist Diploma (from 2005) or IBMS fellowship in Medical Microbiology.

Clinical Governance

• Participate in audit processes, drug trials, research projects, as required
• Participate in and monitor Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities and assist the department in maintaining UKAS ISO15189 accreditation.
• To attend regular departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication with the department

Management

• Ensure that personal work activity is managed to make effective use of time and maintain an adequate supply of laboratory consumables.

Education and Development

• Registration with the Health Profession Council
• Undertake on-going training and development and update Professional Development Plan, as required by the Laboratory Manager (or Head/Lead Biomedical Scientist)
• Undertake in the training, supervision, co ordination and monitoring of Trainee Biomedical Scientists, Medical Laboratory Assistants, Clinical and Medical Staff, Nursing staff and students in accordance with nature of a large teaching hospital.

Clinical

• Assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples received and liaises with senior technical staff for action or advice following departmental sample acceptance policy.
• Ensure data integrity when entering demographics and results into the laboratory information system.
• Perform sample preparation, processing bodily fluids and materials, including high

risk specimens and reagent preparation following protocols.

• Analysis of biological samples including more complex/ specialist investigations requiring a high level of skill.
• Preparation and interpretation of identification tests and antimicrobial susceptibility tests.
• Use and maintenance of manual and sophisticated automated equipment
• Assist with the development of new methods and implementation of new technology.
• To work in high risk Containment Level 3 laboratories following local code of practice within these facilities.
• To assist in disposal of tissue and patient samples in accordance with relevant guidelines.
• To assist in monitoring and maintain appropriate stock levels and facilitate deliveries.
• To be competent in the use of microscopes for identification of microorganisms.
• Exercise judgement and interpretation to validate results and generate laboratory reports in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. The validation process includes analytical and clinical validity.
• Extraction of nucleic acid from biological samples to enable amplification and determination of microbial targets
• Analyses of biological samples by a variety of methodologies to detect microbial antigens and antibodies to those antigens.
• To ensure prompt notification or referral of unusual and urgent results to Consultant microbiologist or senior BMS staff or Infection Control team as appropriate.
• To refer unusual or unfamiliar events to senior technical staff for action or advice.
• To report by telephone urgent results to medical or nursing staff, GP’s and other hospitals.
• To assist in providing a results service to wards, GP’s and other hospitals.

Other

• To be registered with the Health Professions Council.
• To be adaptable to change and to work flexibly in all sections of the laboratory.
• Attend courses and maintain appropriate levels of training as necessary. Maintain high professional standards at all times by continual professional development, keeping up to date with advances in Medical Microbiology and changes in technology.
• To maintain effective communication with line managers and to demonstrate a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory and other members of the team.
• Support the out of hours service provision, in addition to participating in working as part of a small team, to include evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
• Job holder will be required to work within a rotational shift pattern which may include shifts throughout the department, 24 hours a day / 7days per week, to meet service needs

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 and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

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

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1,250 word Supporting Statement

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1,500 but your supporting statement must be no more than 1,250 words. We will not consider any words over 1,250 words

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV. Please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible) Please do not email us your CV.

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

If used, the pile ‘Meets all essential criteria’ ’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• HCPC Registration (Biomedical Scientist)

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL . If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, Experience, Skills & Abilities will be tested at interview.

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

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 internal applicants).

Location - Manchester Lab

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our site in Manchester.

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.

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.

The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

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: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

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.

Careers website

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Security Clearance Level Requirement - Basic DBS + CTC

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 :

• Basic Personnel Security Standard
• Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)

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