Senior Assistant Healthcare Scientist

Job summary

The post-holder will act as a Senior Assistant Healthcare Scientist providing scientific services to patients and clients as an aid in the evaluation ofimmunological responses to vaccines and microbiological disease. Accuracy and attention to detail is essential.

Main duties of the job

• To participate in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities and assist the department in maintaining CPA (Clinical Pathology Accreditation), UKAS ISO 15189, Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Medicines for Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA).
• To use specialist immunoassays for the analysis of biological samples to quantify different antibody isotypes and/or avidity to various microbial antigens.
• To use, maintain and calibrate manual and complex automated equipment for the performance of specialist assays e.g. Bioplex and centrifuges.
• To prepare reagents for use in specialist in-house immunoassays.
• To work in a safe manner in accordance with Laboratory Health and Safety policies and procedures
• To identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events.

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 description

Job responsibilities

• To participate in audit processes, clinical trials, and research projects, as required.
• To attend regular departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the unit.
• To assist in the development of laboratory protocols, and where possible suggest improvements to, laboratory policies and procedures.
• To ensure that personal work activity is managed to make effective use of time and maintain an adequate supply of laboratory consumables.
• To undertake on-going training and development and update Professional Development Plan, as required by the Unit Head.
• To ensure data integrity when entering demographics and results into the laboratory information system.
• To prepare samples and process bodily fluids and materials, including high-risk specimens and reagent preparation following protocols
• To analyse biological samples including more complex/ specialist investigations requiring a high level of skill.
• To process clinical trial samples received according to unit standard operating procedures.
• To provide a specialist diagnostic service for measuring the immune response to disease or vaccination.
• To work in the containment level 2 laboratories according to local code of practice.
• To use advanced specialist computer software for the capture and processing of laboratory data.
• To carry out research in vaccines against different pathogens.
• To exercise judgement and interpretation to validate results and generate laboratory reports in accordance with unit policies and procedures. The validation process includes analytical and scientific validity.
• To assist with, and where appropriate be responsible for, the development of new methods and implementation of new technology.
• To dispose of patient samples in accordance with relevant guidelines.
• To monitor and maintain appropriate stock levels and facilitate deliveries.
• 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 the directorate.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include;

• Internal e.g. Scientific, biomedical, support and clerical staff in the MMMP, Hospital and Directorate staff, UKHSA Science group
• External e.g. Customers (including Pharmaceutical companies, International bodies, Academia and Clinical Service Users), External suppliers, Accreditation bodies and other NHS hospitals.

Essential criteria:

• Appropriate qualifications for University entry, to complete a Life Science based degree
• Basic scientific mathematics
• Keyboard skills
• Good communication skills
• Evidence of working effectively as part of a team
• Good hand to eye co-ordination
• Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines.
• An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust
• Good time keeping
• Flexible approach to work
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Desirable criteria:

• Knowledge of immunoassays
• Experience with Microsoft Office

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency Based

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 11 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1500 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. 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 C.V 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 may 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 and 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 :

• Appropriate qualifications for University entry, to complete a Life Science based degree
• Basic scientific mathematics
• Evidence of working effectively as part of a team

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Assessment

If you are successful at this stage 1, you will be invited to a pre-interview online test. This will consist of a number of technical questions aimed at assessing your knowledge and experience of the criteria listed. Only the highest scoring candidates will be invited to interview.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 3: Interview

Competency Based

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.

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.

Location

This role is based at the Vaccine Evaluation Unit, Manchester. 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 .

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our site in the Vaccine Evaluation Unit, 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. 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

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.

Administrative Officer (AO)

£25,651 - £27,220 per annum, pro rata

Person Specification

Application Form and Supporting statement

Essential

• Application Form and Supporting statement

Assessment

Essential

• Online assessment

Interview

Essential

• Questions on knowledge, experience, skills and abilities

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Vaccine Evaluation Unit (Lab)

Manchester

M13 9WL

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)