Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Governance

• Participate in audit processes, clinical trials, and research projects, as required.
• To assist in the management and monitoring of facilities and equipment, and ensure the department maintains UKAS ISO15189:2022 accreditation for Laboratories.
• Investigate clinical and non-clinical incidents in relation to the departments facilities and equipment and report to the laboratory managers, the Infection Sciences Quality Manager and other Quality leads (as appropriate) and in accordance with Trust/UKHSA incident reporting policy.
• To attend regular laboratory meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.

Facilities and Equipment Management

• To be responsible for implementation, management and maintenance of the Infection Sciences department facilities and equipment management systems.
• To perform an active role in the procurement (Design Qualification) for new equipment.
• To manage and coordinate the departments facilities and equipment to all established equipment qualification requirements in terms of servicing, maintenance, calibration and validation arrangements.
• To manage the departments facilities and equipment records.
• To liaise with the relevant agencies and companies regarding facilities and equipment issues including the needs and requirements of users.
• To provide help and advice to the Infection Sciences section leads and other staff as required on facilities and equipment management matters.
• To identify areas and particular projects that has the potential for improvement to facilities and equipment, to the benefit of the service provided by the department.
• To arrange for the issue, and maintenance of relevant EPs, policies and procedures.
• To provide and collate information periodically for management review.
• To participate in, liaise with and follow up on external inspections, correspond with accreditation agencies and verify the completion of corrective action as required by the reports of the inspectors.
• To develop and maintain effective communication on all facilities and equipment issues.
• To be aware and ensure compliance with any relevant statutory requirements, standards and legislation.
• To participate, where appropriate, in local management meetings, assisting with decision making and policy implementation.
• To be proficient in data extraction, production of reports, including the use of spreadsheets to provide statistical information on facilities and equipment.
• To work fully with the Infection Sciences department, Infection Sciences IT manager, Infection Sciences Quality Manager and others to enable provision of a robust service within the Infection Sciences department, applying escalation and contingency procedures as appropriate.
• To suggest and implement improvements to department policies and procedures.
• Ensure that personal work activity is managed to make effective use of time and maintain an adequate supply of consumables.
• Review complex or markedly abnormal results together with other relevant staff and technically validate the final report.
• To assist Infection Sciences Management in monitoring capability issues.

Education and Development

• Undertake on-going training and development and update Professional Development Plan, as required by the Infection Sciences Service Manager
• To organise and coordinate the supervision, monitoring of training and development of assessment of competence and continuing professional development within the department of: Biomedical Scientist, Clinical scientists, Assistant Practitioners and Medical Laboratory Assistants.
• To provide and develop training for staff.
• To assist in the training of staff.
• Input into the development of the Infection Sciences department training plan.

Scientific and Clinical

• To assist, and where appropriate be responsible for the development and the implementation of new equipment into the Infection Sciences Department.
• To ensure data integrity when entering demographics and results into the laboratory information system.
• To ensure adequate care, maintenance and security of laboratory premises and equipment. 

Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities. 

Essential Criteria

• BSc Hons 2:2 or Higher in appropriate biological degree, or equivalent qualification
• Evidence of participation in Continuous Professional Development
• Experience with laboratory computer systems. Comprehensive IT skills Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet and email
• Basic scientific mathematics
• Experience in communications and stakeholder management
• Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
• Evidence of success in efficient and effective project and programme management
• Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks
• Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate course of action to address the issues
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Strategic thinking – ability to anticipate
• Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis
• Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills 
• Ability to engender trust and confidence and demonstrate integrity in the provision of advice and support
• Skills for manipulating information.
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales
• An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust
• Used to working in a busy environment
• Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change
• Professional calm and efficient manner
• Effective organiser

Selection Process

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 that have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of a:  

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1500 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 some essential criteria  
• Meets no essential criteria  

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting. 

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

• Evidence of success in efficient and effective project and programme management
• Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate course of action to address the issues

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

Please do not exceed 1500 words.  We will not consider any words over and above this number. 

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.  

Feedback will not be provided at this stage. 

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills and 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. 

Location:

This role is being offered as lab based at UKHSA Bristol, Southmead Hospital, BS10 5NB. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this role. 

Eligibility Criteria  

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

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.

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.