Healthcare Scientist

Job summary

The postholder will work in the Colindale Sequencing Laboratory (CSL) in Colindale and contribute to ensuring the provision of genomic services to our customers, including Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), Sanger sequencing, and fragment analysis using a variety of instruments and technologies.

Main duties of the job

  • To provide and support molecular routine service delivery within the remit of CSL.
  • To carry out NGS on Sequencing platforms using automated liquid handling procedures and equipment.
  • Job Holder is expected to work under the supervision of a HEO/Biomedical Scientist, following defined SOP/protocols and would be expected to refer non-routine issues to their supervisor.
  • Use the NGS LIMS system to carry out sample tracking throughout the procedure.
  • To ensure the smooth flow of samples through the laboratory, from receipt to testing.
  • To carry out routine quality control procedures to ensure that samples are being prepared, recorded, and archived to a high standard.
  • To maintain equipment, including routine monitoring, calibration and safety checks and maintain records of these.
  • To facilitate the day-to-day running of the laboratory by ensuring the availability of stock and reagents.
  • To assist in the instruction and training of other staff and visitors, and to ensure compliance with safety and quality systems.
  • To encourage the development of a flexible team by supporting training, development, and rotation.
  • Any other duties within the framework of the job summary.

Please note the above is not exhaustive.

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

Communication and Key Working Relationships

Internal

  • Work in collaboration with the Head of the Colindale Sequencing Laboratory, Deputy Head and other staff within CSL, Genomics and Colindale.
  • Liaise with other staff within PHM Reference Services and Laboratories and assist and advise other scientists, Biomedical Scientists and trainees working in the group.

External

  • To liaise with collaborators and external CSL customers.
  • To liaise with staff in other diagnostic and research laboratories outside of UKHSA.

Quality In collaboration with the Quality Team & local management, to:

  • Maintain a high standard of work, and appraise and contribute to developing services so that they are safe, effective, and economical and follow best practice.
  • Work towards ensuring an efficient quality management system.
  • Contribute to internal and external quality assurance programmes.
  • Ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards.
  • Ensure the continual development and compliance of internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions.

Information Technology

  • To use software packages as appropriate for word processing, as well as specialist packages as required.
  • To be competent in the use of the Laboratory Information System (LIMS) and use the LIMS system to carry out sample tracking throughout the procedure.

Safety

To agree on safety objectives and to review performance at appraisal, and support the Senior Management Team in performing duties with respect to:

  • Ensuring health, safety and welfare of self, staff, and visitors.
  • Ensuring relevant UKHSA health and safety policies and laboratory safety committee recommendations and actions are implemented.
  • Ensure implementation of remedial actions resulting from safety inspections and audits.

Other

  • 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 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.

Personal Development

  • You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.
  • 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.
  • To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
  • Undertake specialist training in NGS and molecular techniques.

Essential Role Criteria:

  • BSc in a relevant biological science
  • Knowledge of automated liquid handling
  • Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures

Desirable Role Criteria:

  • Experience in NGS Platforms
  • Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise

Selection ProcessDetails

This vacancy is usingSuccessProfiles andwill assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application &Sift

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed 3 essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form ofa:

  • Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)

  • 1000wordsupporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills,experienceandknowledgeprovide 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 beadvisedyou 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.

HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than1000words. We will not consider any words over 1000words.

Longlisting: In the event ofa large number ofapplicationswewilllonglistinto 3 piles of:

  1. Meets all essential criteria

  1. Meets some essential criteria

  1. Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile(s) Meets all essential criteria willproceedto shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event ofa large number ofapplications wemay conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of:

  • BSc in a relevant biological science

If you aresuccessful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2:Interview

Success profilesSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to aface to face interview at our site in Colindale .

If face to face interviewsareplanned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, Experience and Technical skillswill be tested at interview.

Technical skills will be assessed via a technical based question.

Experience will be assessed via an experience based question.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Making effective decisions (Lead Behaviour)
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Working together

Interviewdatesareto 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 being offered as lab based at our site in Colindale. 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.

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 beappointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.

Eligibility Criteria

This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as 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.



Person Specification

Application Form and Supporting Statement

Essential
  • Application Form and Supporting Statement

Behaviours

Essential
  • Making effective decisions (Lead Behaviour)
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Working Together

Technical Skills

Essential
  • Technical question

Experience

Essential
  • Experience question

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

Scientific Campus

Colindale

NW9 5EQ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

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

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Job Details

Company
UK Health Security Agency
Location
Colindale, NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom
Hybrid / Remote Options
Salary
£32624.00 to £37737.00
Posted