Biomedical Scientist - Team Manager

Job summary

The Microbiology laboratory at Cambridge provides services to Addenbrooke’s, Royal Papworth, and the E&N Herts Hospitals, as well as other NHS Laboratories in the surrounding district. The laboratory is committed to active research and epidemiological interests and works to UKAS ISO 15189 standards. It also has strong teaching interests. Addenbrooke’s Hospital, located on the outskirts of the university city of Cambridge, is one of the top hospitals in the UK and a thriving NHS Foundation Trust. It is closely associated with leading educational providers including the University of Cambridge, and is a major centre for biomedical research and education.

You will be responsible for supervising bench work of a team within the laboratory, which includes processing of microbiological specimens and related tasks such as isolation, identification, interpretation and reporting of results in accordance with agreed policies and standard operating procedures. As a member of the middle management team, you will take a specialised lead role at senior BMS level within the department. This may include quality, health and safety, IT, CL3, training, or expertise in a specialized area of microbiology such as mycology or parasitology.

Location

This is a lab-based role that will be located at UKHSA Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, CB2 0QQ.

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available. *

Job description

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities, and duties:

• Advising staff regarding technical difficulties.
• Participating in implementing and suggesting changes to work practices and procedures.
• Selection of appropriate test profiles for samples received according to agreed protocols.
• Analysis of cultures, determination of antibiotic susceptibility and biomedical identification of micro-organisms
• Performance of immunological and other assays to investigate microbial infection and management of therapeutic agents.
• Screening and interpreting test results (including those from regional specialties within the hospitals served) and communicating findings to senior colleagues and medical microbiology staff.
• Technical validation of reports for clinical authorisation
• Under strict protocols authorisation of reports for release to other departments, wards, general practitioners, and other customers.
• Participating in provision of out of hours on-call service (lone working).
• Participating in Senior BMS rotation through all sections of the department.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• FIBMS or equivalent
• Maintains professional competence in biomedical sciences.
• Understands quality assurance principles and procedures.
• Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures.
• Relevant experience of working in a microbiology laboratory
• Registered to HCPC

 Desirable Criteria:

• Relevant management training and qualification to certification level
• CPD registration and certification
• Evidence of using technical experience to assess new and existing systems and initiate change in laboratory practice.

For full job responsibilities and person specification please refer to the attached Job Description.

Benefits

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK

Things you need to know

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability of up to 1250 words. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this. 

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

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This competition will involve an interview either face to face or by video.  

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. 

Please note, as part of the interview process, you may be asked to prepare and deliver a presentation or take a test.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 16th May 2024 at 23:55. Please note that late applications will not be accepted.

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

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)