Data Manager (Laboratory Informatics)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties also include:

• To be responsible for the development and management of information systems within the relevant labs including LIMS, MOLIS, WHONet, workload analysis, and business intelligence.
• To advise the lab management team on the development and implementation of information systems as described above.
• To represent labs on pathogen genomics working groups, other IT-related committees including the groups for MOLIS and other IT/LIMS issues.
• To advise lab staff on data handling and analysis issues e.g., building data extraction queries and linkage of data.
• To produce and edit presentation of data for lab reports.
• To lead or participate in the development and deployment of databases and informatics tools within the relevant labs.
• To facilitate introduction of computer-assisted work processes, greater use of automation, and LIMS aspects of integrating whole genome sequencing, or other pipelines into service delivery and surveillance.
• To be responsible for training staff in the use of departmental databases (including MOLIS superusers), applications, and other software tools or, where appropriate, to define training needs including their own and identify suitable courses.
• Ensure all information systems adhere to UKHSA Data Protection policy and all Caldicott regulations.
• To prepare papers and reports, and present work at appropriate meetings.

Quality

In collaboration with relevant lab management and the Quality Team, to:

• Maintain a high standard of work and appraise and contribute to developing the service of the unit so that service delivery is safe, effective and follows best practice.
• Contribute to audits within the unit as scheduled by the Quality Manager.
• Take every opportunity to suggest quality improvements.

Information Technology

• To contribute to the development of information technology systems and databases as required, including appropriate databases.
• To use software packages appropriate for word processing, presentations, data analysis, as well as specialist bioinformatics packages as required.
• To liaise with LIMS super users and IT colleagues on the introduction of new tests and to facilitate the authorisation of reports at technical and medical level on the MOLIS database.
• To ensure that websites and webpages referring to UKHSA reference services are developed and regularly maintained.
• To undertake risk assessment for all new and existing work and to ensure that controls are implemented, monitored and maintained.

Safety

• To attend safety training courses as required in the UKHSA Health and Safety Training Policy and other safety policies as appropriate.

This is not an exhaustive list and is only an outline of the main duties and responsibilities required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager and team.

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

It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

Essential Criteria

• MSc in Life Sciences or Computer Science that include modules on database design, implementation, and usage or equivalent experience in database design, implementation and usage.
• Expertise in design, building and querying databases (MS Access and at least one other major Relational Database Management System e.g. postgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle).
• Knowledge and excellent skills in information technologies.
• Experience of working in and an understanding of the IT requirements of a reference or clinical microbiology laboratory.
• Good attention to detail and precision.
• Ability to communicate information to all grades of staff in an accurate and fluent manner.
• Self-motivating.
• Ability to work well in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Evidence of continued professional development
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in bioinformatics and biostatistics.
• Knowledge of data security, information governance and confidentiality issues.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience, Technical Skills and Abilities.

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

Application & Sift

At sift stage you will be assessed against the 10 Essential Criteria listed in this job advert.

You will be required to complete an:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• A 1000 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 listed in this job advert.

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.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1,500 but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words.

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 those that '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:

• Experience of working in and an understanding of the IT requirements of a reference or clinical microbiology laboratory.

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

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 face-to-face interview at Colindale Scientific Campus, London.

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

Behaviours and Experience being assessed at interview will be as follows:

• Changing and Improving - Lead Behaviour
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

You will be asked to prepare and present a 510-minute presentation describing a data management project or function that you have contributed to.

The objective is to assess your ability to communicate, and for us to understand your approach to data management. You should include examples of source code and/or database queries you contributed to the project and explain how these work.

Examples of projects to present include: the development and management of a laboratory information system; facilitating computer-assisted work processes or automation; building data extraction queries; and/or linkage of data. Also suggested will be to highlight key considerations in schema design, data flow and user training and, where appropriate, examples of computer application source code or database queries to demonstrate your coding style and practices.

Technical Skills and Abilities will be assessed through your presentation and technical questions based on your presentation.

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

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

Locationinformation

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Colindale Scientific Campus, London.

We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at our Campus.

Salary Information

Grade: SEO

SEO Inner: £46,310 - £52,113 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.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check.

Based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of 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

Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

• Application form and supporting statement

Behaviour

• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving - Lead Behaviour
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Presentation

• Presentation

Presentation - Questions

• Technical questions based on presentation

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.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Colindale Scientific Campus, London & Core HQ, London

London

NW9 5EQ

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency